Picture courtesy of City Coins
DCM Ed VII (Superintendent A.J. Thatcher. Attch: A.S.C.);
BSA CM rev Matabeleland 1893 (1523 Troopr. A.J. Thatcher. B.B. Police);
QSA (0) (33 Supt A.J. Thatcher, A.S.C);
KSA (0) (33 Supt. A.J. Thatcher, A.S.C.);
1914 15 Star (Lt. A. J. Thatcher A.S.C.);
BWM and VM (Bil) (Lt. A.J. Thatcher)
Alfred John Thafcher was born 2 April 1866 on Langford Farm in Burrington, Somerset, son of a farmer William (32) and Ellen (24). Alfred (18) moved to America in 1885 for about two years. He married Eliza Adelaide Willerburg in 1897. They had seven children in 17 years. He died on 5 June 1937 at the age of 69.
He was a member of the Natal Mounted Police and Bechuanaland Border Police Forces and was transferred to the Belingwe Field Force in Southern Rhodesia. The BBP participated in the First Matabele War (1893) and the Shangani Patrol (November-December 1893); and are reported to have been the first armed force to use Maxim automatic machine guns in skirmishes. The BB Police roll indicates he was entitled to bar; for Shangani ard Singuesi.
His service with the Army Service Corps during the Anglo Boer War was rewarded with a DCM, a Mention in Despatches and the QSA and KSA, both with no clasps. The QSA roll of Civilian Personnel of No. 22 Co. Army Service Corps, and Volksrust Sub. District notes that: “No. 33 Supt Thatcher, A. J. - Believed to have been in Siege of Ladysmith.". The KSA roll lists Thatcher as No. 30 Co A.S.C.
MID LG 29 July 1902, page 4852.
DCM LG 31 October 1902, page 6907.
WWI Record Card shows Lieut A.J. Thatcher Mechanical Transport attached to S A.S.C. D o P 16.3.1915 to 12.8.1915. Trio despatched.