TOPIC:

For some time I have had a QSA/1906 pair to HA Downie of the Durban Light Infantry. I have only been able to find one medal roll iro his QSA and this confirms that he had no. 991 and that his clasp combination is only South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902.

There is also a note under remarks that he served with the Natal Mounted Infantry but that there was "no trace" of this.

My question is - how unusual is it to have this combination of clasps especially to a colonial unit. I would have thought that he should have had a t least a state clasp??

Regards

Rory

When did Downie join the Natal Volunteers, the Natal clasp was only granted for service up to the 11th of June 1900.
From memory, Addison actually commanded the Natal Mounted Infantry, it had been originally intended to be the 2nd Natal Volunteer Composite Regiment, it was raised rather late in the day, so date clasps are perfectly normal to it's members, but, it was recruited from existing Natal Volunteers, although, many were newly joined men without prior service.

From 3/9/1901 according to the DLI nominal roll Frank. I agree about the Natal clasp but why the two date clasps?

You have answered your own question, he was not entitled to the Natal clasp and as he only served actually in the Colony, he was awarded the only clasps he was entitled to receive, he should count himself fortunate, nothing unusual here.
You do see a number of New Zealanders that were in the same boat, on occasion.

Rory wrote: From 3/9/1901 according to the DLI nominal roll Frank. I agree about the Natal clasp but why the two date clasps?

That's what is so confusing. There is a no clasp QSA on a local site to a Natal Carbineer who has no clasps and yet enlisted in February 1902.

Did the Carbineer in question actually serve at the front?