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Hi -
I'm trying to trace the service of my great-uncle Samuel Minford Millar, who was born in Belfast around 1870. I found his Boer War attestation papers in the Chelsea Royal Hospital records, and it showed him passing his medical examination on the 21st July 1899. He was in South Africa for 3 years from November 1899 to January 1903, and signed up for 8 years of service at home, rising to Corporal in June 1903. He was awarded the Queen's South African medal, and the King's South African medal, and somewhere there is a photo of him wearing his medals with about 5 campaign bars.
Unfortunately his service records show him under arrest in August 1906 and he was convicted in October of that year of drunkenness on duty, and "conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline" and was reduced to private, and a month later was drummed out and his medals and pensionable service cancelled.
In this case, would all his medal records have been deleted? I have searched on this website for Millar or Miller with RAMC as the unit, without any success. Is this expected?

Any suggestions for next steps? I would have liked to find what campaign bars he was awarded to get an idea of where he served in SA.

Best regards
Chris

Here are his records for info

Chris

Hi Chris,

Is this your great-uncle?





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Yes, that looks like him - the number agrees with first page of the attestation form that I attached above. However the service record (4th page) definitely shows his medals were forfeited.

Many thanks for quick reply!

Chris




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Here he is again, shown serving with the 10th Brigade Bearer Company. Incorrectly transcribed as I.M. Miller.

A note in the remarks column indicates that he transferred to No. 14 General Hospital on 1 May 1901.

QSA with three clasps: Transvaal, Tugela Heights & Relief of Ladysmith.
KSA with two clasps: South Africa 1901 & South Africa 1902.

A note on the left of the KSA roll seems to read "Ret'd 30/11/06". A note on the QSA roll similarly states: "Medal & 3 Cl. Ret'd 28/11/1906 - forfeited".






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Just noticed in the listing for the King's SA medal the comment on the left side opposite his name which says "Retd 30/11/06" which presumably stands for 'returned' ; the date ties up with when he was discharged.
Our replies crossed here, so we came to the same observation...