This page contains a history of the medal and some
market examples.
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| The medal and ribbon |
Obverse |
Reverse |
Example of
naming |
Soon after the onset of the War, it became obvious to the British authorities that the Royal Army Medical
Corps would not be able to cope with the numbers of casualties from battle and
disease. A call went out for volunteers from the St John Ambulance Brigade to
serve for six month tours in South Africa. The idea was to post these personnel to base hospitals, thus freeing RAMC members for service at the front.
Volunteers came forward in large numbers and, after being equipped at the
headquarters in Cripplegate, London, the first batch of 23 St John Ambulance
Brigade members sailed for South Africa on 3 November 1899 aboard the HMS
Princess of Wales. Groups of SJABs (or 'Johnnies' as they were
known) were mobilised for South Africa, and approximately 1,800 served during
the period 1899-1902. Approximately 60 died in South Africa, the
majority from enteric (typhoid) fever, which they contracted from their
patients. Approximately 1,871 medals were issued.
The SJABs who served in South Africa were awarded a bronze
medal which bore the uncrowned head of Edward VII. Their service numbers, ranks, initials, names
and units were engraved on the rim in large block letters. The silver Queen's
South Africa Medal was also awarded with details impressed on the rim and the
unit shown as 'St John Ambulance Brigade'. Both medals were awarded posthumously.
The medal was sanctioned for wearing in uniform on 26
January 1904.
Rushby, Harold
QSA (0) (875 Ordly St John Amb Bde), St John Medal for South Africa
1899-1902 (875 Pte, Leicester Corps), Special Constabulary Faithful
Service, GVR, with clasp 'Great War 1914-18' and Bars for Long Service dated
1929, 1939 and 1942 (Harold Rushby). DNW Sep 05 £410.
Warner, W J
QSA (0) (Ordly W J Warner St John Amb Bde), St John Ambulance Brigade
Medal for South Africa (Pte W J Warner Wellingborough Corps).
Burman Nov 05 £600.
Britt, W H
QSA (1) Natal (1079 Ordly St John Amb Bde), 1914-15 Star (61263 Pte RAMC),
BWM , VM (61263 Pte RAMC), St John Ambulance Brigade Medal for South Africa
1899-1902 (1079 Pte Preston Corps). DNW Sep 04 £520.
Cooper, J
QSA (0) (65 Ordly St John Amb Bde), St John Medal for South Africa
1899-1902 (65 Pte Walton-le-Dale Div). DNW Dec 03 £490.
Smith, J P
QSA (2) CC OFS (1016 Ordly St John Amb Bde), St John Medal for South
Africa 1899-1902 (1016 Pte Sheffield Corps). DNW Jul 03 £470.
Hill, R
QSA clasps (3) CC OFS Tr (1071 Ordly R
Hill St John Amb Bde), St John Medal (1071 Pte R Hill Wellbeck Div
(Lincoln)). Fusilier Militaria Nov 05 £775.
