TOPIC:

Hello, I’m researching Private Richard Walter Walsh, No. 73, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry, who was awarded the DCM in the Boer War. He is my ancestor, and I have his discharge certificate confirming the award, his actual medal has been lost. I’d love to know if anyone has any information as to why he was awarded this medal.
We appreciate any information, my email is riss_89@hotmail.com

Larissa Walsh
The publication "Recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1855-1909" has no entry for the person you name. The OZ-Boer website gives the following information: "73 Pte Walsh, Richard of the 2nd QMI came from Sugarloaf via Stanhope, Queensland" and that he - along with quite a few others from that unit, were seconded to the Transvaal Mounted and Foot police on 19/6/1900.
It would be interesting to see your man's discharge certificate.
Regards
IL.

Thank you for your reply. I have attached (hopefully correctly) his discharge paper - written on pigs skin.





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Larissa
Good to see an original discharge certificate. I had a look on the Medal Rolls of the QMI (WO100/290 in the UK National Archives) for your ancestor and he earned the clasps Cape Colony, Dreifontein and Johannesburg on his QSA medal. He also appears on a list of those chaps transferring to the TM@FP (as expected). However, a marginal note has him serving with the South African Constabulary as number A250.
To return to the book "Recipients of the Distinguished Conduct medal'", we see one "A250 Sgt. Walsh, R" as receiving a DCM in London Gazette of 31/10/1902. So, you are correct in mentioning the DCM; except it was earned with the SAC and no details were published.
There is a recent publication about the SAC - however, I can find no reference of your ancestor in the index. There has been some work done in SA concerning the SAC and I will see if I can dig up the email address.
Regards
IL.

Hi

A researcher with access to the records of the SAC Is Dewalt Nel who can be contacted at dewald@nelantiques.co.za. He may require a fee to be paid. He has helped me previously.

Best regards

Peter Jordi

Good Morning.......

In my listing of the South African Gallantry Badge I can find a:

Walsh, R., A250, Corporal, D.C.M.

Take a look at this thread.......

www.angloboerwar.com/forum/5-medals-and-...allantry-badge#79722

Mike