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Hi Gordon
J Lister's medal roll states he was a Platelayer. Roll date 4th June 1904 Durban.
Remarks column - reconstruction of track.
Perhaps he was promoted to Conductor at a later date.
Platelayer-
Inspecting and maintaining the track, including all its component parts such as rails, sleepers, fishplates, bolts, etc., are the chief responsibility of the platelayer.Their duties include greasing points, and generally watching for wear and tear. When sections of track require complete replacement, larger teams of platelayers work together, and today employ a range of labour-saving machinery for many of the tasks traditionally undertaken by hand by platelayers.
Regards
Dave

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (0) (Condr: R. J. Speirs. Natal Transport)

Robert J. Speirs served as a Civilian Conductor with the Natal Hired Transport and was from Dargle, Natal. The Dargle, between Peitermaritzburg and Estcourt was named by Thomas Fannin who bought the land and named his farm 'The Dargle' in 1847. He came from Ireland, and the country resembled the area around the Dargle stream south of Dublin. In 1854 Fannin claimed to have found gold and coal on his land.