I have been pondering approximately (very approximately as you'll see) how many QSA and Military Medals combinations there are.
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The answer is out there but it will take some time to determine it, so in the long interim, here is a possible calculation.
Of the 500,000 men who took part in the Boer War, I estimate that 1 in 20 took part in the Great War. 5% of 500,000 is 25,000 men.
8.7m allied soldiers took part in the Great War. 115,000 MM and 5,700 second award bars were issued.
The chance of being awarded an MM was 1 in 75 and for a first bar was 1 in 1,526. This does make the assumption that all the 8.7m men and women were eligible for the MM which is not correct.
If I continue the calculation, the number of ex-Boer War soldier with the MM is 330 and with MM* is 1.4.
This is pure speculation of course but interesting speculation for all that!
Here is the MM* to George William Ash.
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Picture courtesy of DNW
MM* (20236 Sjt., 15/Hants. R.)
QSA (5) CC OFS Tr 02 01 (6589 Dmr., Rl. Innis. Fus.)
BWM (20236 A.W.O. Cl. 2, Hamps. R.)
[VM]
MM LG 9 December 1916. Bar to MM LG 16 August 1917.
George William Ash was born in Marylebone, London. A Musician by occupation he attested for the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at Hounslow on 23 February 1900, aged 15 years, 8 months. He was appointed a Drummer on 23 April 1900 and served in South Africa, November 1900-April 1902, qualifying for the Queen’s medal with all the above clasps. Drummer Ash was discharged on 22 February 1912 on the termination of his first period of engagement. In the Great War he re-enlisted in the Hampshire Regiment.
The answer is out there but it will take some time to determine it, so in the long interim, here is a possible calculation.
Of the 500,000 men who took part in the Boer War, I estimate that 1 in 20 took part in the Great War. 5% of 500,000 is 25,000 men.
8.7m allied soldiers took part in the Great War. 115,000 MM and 5,700 second award bars were issued.
The chance of being awarded an MM was 1 in 75 and for a first bar was 1 in 1,526. This does make the assumption that all the 8.7m men and women were eligible for the MM which is not correct.
If I continue the calculation, the number of ex-Boer War soldier with the MM is 330 and with MM* is 1.4.
This is pure speculation of course but interesting speculation for all that!
Here is the MM* to George William Ash.
Picture courtesy of DNW
MM* (20236 Sjt., 15/Hants. R.)
QSA (5) CC OFS Tr 02 01 (6589 Dmr., Rl. Innis. Fus.)
BWM (20236 A.W.O. Cl. 2, Hamps. R.)
[VM]
MM LG 9 December 1916. Bar to MM LG 16 August 1917.
George William Ash was born in Marylebone, London. A Musician by occupation he attested for the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at Hounslow on 23 February 1900, aged 15 years, 8 months. He was appointed a Drummer on 23 April 1900 and served in South Africa, November 1900-April 1902, qualifying for the Queen’s medal with all the above clasps. Drummer Ash was discharged on 22 February 1912 on the termination of his first period of engagement. In the Great War he re-enlisted in the Hampshire Regiment.