TOPIC:

Hello from a new Member, from Canada.

A member of the British Medal Forum for the past few years and a general collector of medals for decades, off and on.
Now however, my focus is exclusively on family items—medals name to SWITZER.

A new revelation for me was that some family members had served in South Africa—so begins the quest to learn and absorb.

My initial project is for a QSA named to PTE. R. SWITZER, bar Defence of Kimberly: Kimberly Town Guard.

At the moment, I have very little information and am looking for personal and general details on him; Kimberly Town Guard; and what he was doing in SA,
perhaps mining work of some sort.

All help and suggestions gratefully appreciated.

Cheers,
Gary

Good Morning Gary...…

Welcome to the forum from a fellow Canadian...… Here is what is listed in Find My Past..... There are also 5 other Switzer's listed there.....

Mike


First name(s) Robert Edwin
Last name Switzer
Service number 157
Rank Trooper
Regiment Kimberley Horse
Year 1899-1902
Biography
-
Country Great Britain
Literary references The National Archives WO127. Nominal rolls colonial units.
Record set Anglo-Boer War Records 1899-1902
Category Military Service & Conflict
Subcategory Boer Wars
Collections from Great Britain, UK None

Hi Mike,

No surprise that you have replied. I have always followed your QSA Posts on BMF.
Thank you for this information—I was unaware of Robert Edwin Switzer
Regretfully, I am not on FMP, so will consider it to get the other names you mention.

Cheers,
Gary

Oops — I meant to say that I do not know the following about Robert Edwin — Rank: Trooper; Service Number: 157 and Unit: Kimberley Horse.

I have just secured his medal on DNW, this past Thursday (haven't received it yet), but the listing on DNW lists his unit as Kimberley Town Guard – so will be interesting when it arrives. Another Switzer (H.A.) is also listed as KTG — perhaps a brother, but his medal is not listed 'as known'.

Gary

Gary...….

There are two Switzer's that I would love to get my hands on.....

482 Private Alfred William Switzer, Canadian Mounted Rifles
351 Private Percy Peel Switzer, Lord Strathcona's Horse

Mike

P.S. Will look on FMP for you, no problem.....

P.S.S. Don't expect it soon as the UK Post Office at Canadian P.O. request is holding all parcels till after Virus ban is lifted..... I have 3 waiting......

Welcome to the Forum, Gary,

The very nice aspect of the medal to Robert Switzer is that he is entitled to additional clasps from his service after the siege with the Kimberley Light Horse.