TOPIC:

Another year has rolled around again and we look forward to 2026 whilst reflecting upon knowledge gained from the ABW Forum, our own research and acquisitions over the last twelve months.

For my medal highlights two recipients must share the honours.
8914 Private William Edward Hopkins fulfilled my quest for a gamekeeper who served in Lovat's Scouts. With his attestation document remaining extant I could tell some of his life story.
3731 Private George Smith of the Worcestershire Regiment was a regimentally scarce casualty being killed in action at Bothaville. As a collector of QSAs to the regiment I wasted no time in snapping it up!

I was very fortunate to acquire a couple of groups that I have wanted for many many years; a Hong Kong Plague Group and a Tibet Group. (Details are in appropriate threads)

This year’s learning journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Each post, medal, or artifact has offered a chance to step back in time and relive the experiences—both triumphs and tragedies—of those who came before us.

One such moment came when I bid on a map of Bothaville. That single artifact opened the door to a brutal battle, one that revealed extraordinary heroism on both sides of the war:

www.angloboerwar.com/forum/19-ephemera/3...f-bothaville?start=0

Soon after, I felt compelled to bid on an ABO medal, not knowing what the Vorm B would uncover. It belonged to a young man who fought at Bothaville, was gravely wounded, and whose brother was tragically killed alongside him:

www.angloboerwar.com/forum/surname-o/187...ns-christiaan-burger

By sheer fortune, Steve then acquired and shared two medals awarded to British soldiers who also became casualties in that same battle.

For me, the highlight has been weaving these stories together—Boer and Brit alike—and breathing new life into their memory.

Yet, the ultimate personal milestone was acquiring my very first Jameson Raider. And yes, it went straight to the pool room:
www.angloboerwar.com/forum/5-medals-and-...es-hutchison-kennedy

Not much this year as far as medals are concerned but did buy a number of Swords and Britain's Soldiers.......

RICH, H.R., (Henry (Harry) Robbins
REG. NO.: N/A
RANK: LIEUTENANT
UNIT: NAMAQUALAND BORDER SCOUTS
BARS: CAPE COLONY, SOUTH AFRICA 1901, SOUTH AFRICA 1902

REMARKS: M.I.D. L.G. 27/06/1902 (4857)


LANE, DANIEL PATRICK

REG. NO.: N/A
RANK: CHAPLAIN
UNIT: ARMY CHAPLAIN'S DEPARTMENT
BARS: SOUTH AFRICA 1901, SOUTH AFRICA 1902


ROACH, L.

REG. NO.: 63
RANK: TROOPER
UNIT: JANSENVILLE DISTRICT MOUNTED TROOP
BARS: NO BARS AS ISSUED


McCORMACK, J. (John James)

REG. NO.: 155
RANK: TROOPER
UNIT: CANADIAN SCOUTS
BARS: CAPE COLONY, ORANGE FREE STATE, TRANSVAAL
SOUTH AFRICA 1901, SOUTH AFRICA 1902

REMARKS: Also Svc. in Brabant's Horse / Imp. Lt. Horse / Scott's Rlwy Guards

GRIGG, W.

REG. NO.: 511
RANK: PRIVATE
UNIT: BECHUANALAND RIFLES
BARS: CAPE COLONY, ORANGE FREE STATE, TRANSVAAL

REMARKS: Also Svc. in Rimington's Guides


BELCHER, G. (George)

REG. NO.: 120/42055
RANK: TROOPER
UNIT: ORANGE RIVER SCOUTS, NEYLAND'S
BARS: ORANGE FREE STATE, SOUTH AFRICA 1902


DANDY, T. (THOMAS)

REG. NO.: 3628
RANK: SERGEANT
UNIT: 9TH QUEEN'S ROYAL LANCERS
BARS: BELMONT, MODDER RIVER, RELIEF OF KIMBERLEY, JOHANNESBURG, DIAMOND HILL, WITTEBERGEN, SOUTH AFRICA 1901


DIXON, J.B.

REG. NO.: 1573
RANK: TROOPER
UNIT: BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA POLICE
BARS: SOUTH AFRICA 1901, SOUTH AFRICA 1902
REMARKS: 269 – 2 Date Bar Only Medals to the B.S.A.P.


MASTERSON, WILLIAM JOHN

REG. NO.: NONE
RANK: SERGEANT
UNIT: POTCHEFSTROM TOWN GUARD
BARS: NO BARS AS ISSUED

REMARKS: Complete with Victorian Army Long Service and Good Conduct First Type issued 1880 to his Father:
6788 Sergeant Assistant Instructor of Gunnery, A Masterson, Costal Battery, Royal Artillery


McVICAR, CHARLES STANLEY

REG. NO.: 615
RANK: PRIVATE
UNIT: CANADIAN MOUNTED RIFLES
BARS: TRANSVAAL, SOUTH AFRICA 1902

COMPLETE WITH: UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO MEDICAL SCHOOL GRADUSATION MEDAL AS (MD)

Mike

I've not delved too much into collecting, and am essentially learning as I buy - which is fraught with danger!
That said, I was particularly pleased with:

3854 Lance Corporal Julius Frederick Stirke, 10th Hussars (later lieutenant WIR, died of enteric) Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen. An interesting little research project to come!

Hi P-C,

You picked a cracking regiment to start with.

One of my treasured medals is to AJ Montgomery whose memoir was turned into a book by Dan McCleland.

It can be read on-line and will give you a first hand account of what Julius Strike experienced:

thecasualobserver.co.za/j-montgomery-par...aining-10th-hussars/

Regards,
Shaun