TOPIC:

Tell me Mike,
What are your own thoughts on Sam Steele's tenure as commanding officer of B division SAC up in the Northern Transvaal, I was looking at his roll pages the other day, I was really quite surprised by the number of medals that were unissued and returned, I wondered how many of them were Canadian's.
Kind regards Frank

QSAMIKE wrote: Hi Frank.....

No problem......

Yes in a couple of cases I was able to cherry pick the Canadians..... The Hill medal was offered to me by the family.....

The good thing is I have a copy of Jim's book that lists all the Canadians that were in the SAC, and it is easy to do a quick check......

Mike

Good Morning Everyone.....

Just an update on SAC Badges...

Still missing and if anyone has them spare please PM me if you wish to dispose of them.....

Owen 1845 - HP Void, QC, with leather backing
Owen 1846 - HP, Medical, QC
Owen 1847 - HP, Medical, QC, Gilt
Owen 1849 - HP, Medical, KC
Owen 1852 - HP, KC, Bronze, Gilt
Owen 1853 - Cap, KC, Void, Gilt
Owen 1854 - Cap, KC, Gilt,
Owen 1856 - Cap, KC, Bronze

Mike

Hi Frank......

I am sorry but I did not see your post so will answer it as best I can now.....

In the SAC you had two prima-donnas trying to run one unit.....

They wanted to have a unit like the NWMP but there was a lot of conflict between BP and SS and since BP had the support of Horse Guards and the General Public, Sam did not have a chance to run the unit the way he wanted.....

He wanted to enlist the same type of men as served in the NWMP who were vetted and had to have letters of recommendation even before they were allowed to apply for membership.....

In the SAC they would take anyone and did.....

Therefore SS did not feel that his advice was needed and that is why he was away most of the time and eventually left the Corps.....

There are a couple of good books on the subject, Lion of the North and No Colours, No Drums.....

Mike

Frank Kelley wrote: Tell me Mike,
What are your own thoughts on Sam Steele's tenure as commanding officer of B division SAC up in the Northern Transvaal, I was looking at his roll pages the other day, I was really quite surprised by the number of medals that were unissued and returned, I wondered how many of them were Canadian's.
Kind regards Frank

QSAMIKE wrote: Hi Frank.....

No problem......

Yes in a couple of cases I was able to cherry pick the Canadians..... The Hill medal was offered to me by the family.....

The good thing is I have a copy of Jim's book that lists all the Canadians that were in the SAC, and it is easy to do a quick check......

Mike

Hello Mike,
I've always found the badges to the SAC actually rather rare, unlike their medals, which are really quite common, so much so, that there are a number of dealers here that will not buy them.
Whilst the kings crown slouch hat badges are quite easy to find, the cap badges are not and the Victorian slouch hat badge is actually very hard to find these days, however, I should imagine there are a number still to be found off Robben Island.
Regards Frank

QSAMIKE wrote: Good Morning Everyone.....

Just an update on SAC Badges...

Still missing and if anyone has them spare please PM me if you wish to dispose of them.....

Owen 1845 - HP Void, QC, with leather backing
Owen 1846 - HP, Medical, QC
Owen 1847 - HP, Medical, QC, Gilt
Owen 1849 - HP, Medical, KC
Owen 1852 - HP, KC, Bronze, Gilt
Owen 1853 - Cap, KC, Void, Gilt
Owen 1854 - Cap, KC, Gilt,
Owen 1856 - Cap, KC, Bronze

Mike

Good Afternoon Frank......

Here are a couple of pictures of SAC that were sent to me.....

Mike

Hello Mike,
I like that first photo, a Canadian with prior service!
Regards Frank