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I originally put this in for the "Cape Police - QSA's" thread; however, I think I unleashed the dreaded PICNIC effect. Doubtless due to my easily matched on-line skills. Here it is .... again:

There have been a large number of posts re Cape Police medals - however, I don't think the Defence of Mafeking has figured. The following is one of the more interesting groups in the collection:
(1) CoGHGSM bar "Bechuanaland" engraved to "237 Pte.U.B.HODGSON C.Pol"
(2) QSA bars OFS/DofM/Tvaal engraved to "Lieut. N.B.HODGSON A.S.C."
(3) KSA bars SA1901/SA1902 engraved as above.
(Note the variation in the forename initial - regarded by myself as a naming error as no other "HODGSON" is noted on the rolls for any Div. of the C.P.).


The eldest son of N.L. HODGSON Esq of Woolwich and Blackheath, Nevil Busey HODGSON enlisted in the Cape Police as a Trooper (disclosing previous service in the 1st City of London RB) and was awarded the CoGH GSM for campaign service between 24121896 and 30071897.
He served in Mafeking during the siege (23101899 to 17051900); being noted in the Mafeking Mail as winning a number of morale-boosting events and competitions; acting as a "bank lookout" and being sufficiently observant to report that the warning bells to herald Boer shells did not always work as the enemy moved their guns or pretended to fire them - and then did not. Later, Tpr. HODGSON, after the death of Capt. Girdwood, was employed to help with food distribution. On 13021900 he was appointed to the position of Acting Sergeant Major ASC at remuneration of twenty one shillings per day.

On 18051900, Acting Sgt/Maj. HODGSON was MiD'd by Maj.Gen. Baden-Powell as follows: "Tpr (local Sergeant Major) HODGSON acted as Sgt.Maj. to ASC and was of the greatest help to Capt.Ryan ASC". BP also observed that Nevil HODGSON "proved himself to be a most thoroughly reliable, sober and upright man, clever at his work and particularly active and zealous in it's performance". Just the sort of chap to have in a siege!

On the recommendation of the CinC, SA, Nevil HODGSON was gazetted 2nd Lt., in the ASC on 15091900 and promoted Lt. on 01111901. His clasps OFS and Tvaal were earned during ASC service. Sadly, Lt. HODGSON died of enteric fever in Pretoria on 25051902. Colin Walker (Mafeking Siege Register) kindly supplied a photo of the CP football team (nd) in which Nevil HODGSON was id'd and which I have done my best to put a face to a soldier who never got to wear his ABW medals.

Wonderful stuff.

Thanks for posting, it is for me always a great pleasure to see Cape Police groups especially with a DOM clasp included.

Hodgson attested into the CP in June of 1896 and I have a copy of what ever there is available in the Cape Archives to him at home. Do you have a copy of his Attestation papers ?

Regards
Adrian

Hello Ian,
What a superb group, judging by the last few groups you have shown on here, I think you must have an equally superb collection, I dare say for so many people, even today, a defender of Mafeking is what they would wish to have above other things.
I was interested to see the group photograph of the football team, in particular, their badges on their shirts.
Kind regards Frank

Ian,

What a superb group to have in your collection, thank you for sharing.
(I have added your small pic to the bottom of the post, hope thats ok)

Cheers
Paul

LinneyI wrote: Forum members
I originally put this in for the "Cape Police - QSA's" thread; however, I think I unleashed the dreaded PICNIC effect. Doubtless due to my easily matched on-line skills. Here it is .... again:

There have been a large number of posts re Cape Police medals - however, I don't think the Defence of Mafeking has figured. The following is one of the more interesting groups in the collection:
(1) CoGHGSM bar "Bechuanaland" engraved to "237 Pte.U.B.HODGSON C.Pol"
(2) QSA bars OFS/DofM/Tvaal engraved to "Lieut. N.B.HODGSON A.S.C."
(3) KSA bars SA1901/SA1902 engraved as above.
(Note the variation in the forename initial - regarded by myself as a naming error as no other "HODGSON" is noted on the rolls for any Div. of the C.P.).

The eldest son of N.L. HODGSON Esq of Woolwich and Blackheath, Nevil Busey HODGSON enlisted in the Cape Police as a Trooper (disclosing previous service in the 1st City of London RB) and was awarded the CoGH GSM for campaign service between 24121896 and 30071897.
He served in Mafeking during the siege (23101899 to 17051900); being noted in the Mafeking Mail as winning a number of morale-boosting events and competitions; acting as a "bank lookout" and being sufficiently observant to report that the warning bells to herald Boer shells did not always work as the enemy moved their guns or pretended to fire them - and then did not. Later, Tpr. HODGSON, after the death of Capt. Girdwood, was employed to help with food distribution. On 13021900 he was appointed to the position of Acting Sergeant Major ASC at remuneration of twenty one shillings per day.

On 18051900, Acting Sgt/Maj. HODGSON was MiD'd by Maj.Gen. Baden-Powell as follows: "Tpr (local Sergeant Major) HODGSON acted as Sgt.Maj. to ASC and was of the greatest help to Capt.Ryan ASC". BP also observed that Nevil HODGSON "proved himself to be a most thoroughly reliable, sober and upright man, clever at his work and particularly active and zealous in it's performance". Just the sort of chap to have in a siege!

On the recommendation of the CinC, SA, Nevil HODGSON was gazetted 2nd Lt., in the ASC on 15091900 and promoted Lt. on 01111901. His clasps OFS and Tvaal were earned during ASC service. Sadly, Lt. HODGSON died of enteric fever in Pretoria on 25051902. Colin Walker (Mafeking Siege Register) kindly supplied a photo of the CP football team (nd) in which Nevil HODGSON was id'd and which I have done my best to put a face to a soldier who never got to wear his ABW medals.

Paul
Thanks for doing the individual pic; I just didn't hit the "insert" key! I always like to put a face to a medal.
Frank
Yes, I was rather taken with the CP team pic. I really have to thank Colin Walker for forwarding it to me. It was in pretty bad shape and he had to do some restoration on it.
Adrian
No, I do not have any CP paperwork. If I may, I will PM you re it.

Regards to all
IL.

Hello Ian,
Do you see many defenders of Mafeking for sale down there, or, do you just buy them up here?
They used to be quite easy to get, but, not anymore, although, even here, they were always expensive.
Regards Frank