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My apologies if this has been asked before. My grandmother's brother was Trp Athur John Turnbull, #1209 Bethune's Mounted, died 14/1/01. Buried Winburg Cemetery. With him was his cousin William Thom(p)son (should be no 'p'), #104 L/Cpl with Menne's Scouts. Died 13/9/01. Buried Platrand Station. Both seemed to have travelled privately from Australia to join these SA Irregular units. How can I check whether medals were ever issued? Arthur's parents were next-of-kin for both men (William had lived with his Uncle and Aunt since an early age). Thanks in advance .. Liz

Hi Liz, 1209 Tpr Athur John Turnbull, Bethune's Mounted Infantry is shown on the Queen's South Africa Medal (QSA) roll for the BMI as QSA with Cape Colony, Orange Free State, & Transvaal Clasps on WO 100/236 pg 129, undated but signed by Col. S.Monro. Under remarks is noted "Discharged 14-01-01." Then on WO 100/236 pg 258, dated 26-10-04, Cape Town, he was granted a South Africa 1901 clasp to his QSA. It is noted under remarks "Died 14-01-01." There is a date 30-12-04 entered next to his name. Then on WO 100/236 pg 194, undated, QSA with CC, OFS & Tvl clasps. Under remarks is noted "Enlisted 21-12-00-Discharged 14-01-01." On both pages 129 & 258 returns for non issue are entered on the page and there is nothing about a return for Arthur Turnbull's QSA. On page 194 no returns are entered for anyone at all so presumably Arthur Turnbull's QSA was issued.

On L/Cpl William Thompson, Menne's Scouts on WO 100/258 pg 188, dated August 15, 1901 at Platrand there is a QSA with Transvaal clasp and a note under remarks "Killed 13-09-01." The page is a real mess and it's very difficult to make out further notes and to whom those notes refer. There does seem to be an issue reference of "issd 26/07/06 68/SA/8715." It looks like there might be a reference to the ILH but I can't make out for which name it is for. On WO 100/258 pg 201, 25-01-1905, Cape Town, there is a South Africa 1901 clasp to his previously issued QSA and under remarks is noted "Killed 13-09-01." Next to his name is a note" Issued 7/2606 68/SA/8715." The first series of numbers looks like it was an error and should read 26/07/06 as in the previous reference. No note of return is entered on either page so presumably the QSA was issued. There was a Tpr William Thompson (1433) in the 1st Imperial Light Horse but there is no reference linking him to Menne's Scouts or having been killed. He seems to have been discharged on 25-05-01.

Cheers,

Mark

Wow, Mark, I am SO thankful for your quick and very detailed reply. VERY much appreciated. Liz

OzzyLiz wrote: Wow, Mark, I am SO thankful for your quick and very detailed reply. VERY much appreciated. Liz

Liz, you're most welcome !

Cheers,

Mark

Hello again Mark
so excited to say that I have been able to track down the QSA with original 3 clasps issued to Arthur Turnbull. Happily, they are in the care of one of his gt-nephews with whom I recently made contact. The ribbon has been replaced by the look of it in the photo sent to me.... but just so happy to find it still exists.
Thanks again for your help. I was able to pass on the information you gave me to the current care-taker.
Liz