TOPIC:

Good Afternoon Everyone......

Many but not all people would not purchase an erased, partly erased and outright renamed Queen's South Africa Medal.....

I know that I have not purchased any to put into my collection, but will admit that I have purchased some erased ones just to get the bars to repair medals that I have and are missing bars.....

I saw a medal on the weekend on a dealers web site and he gave a description with name and unit which made me sit up straight in my seat......

In his description he gave the information of the naming stating that it was partially erased....

I looked at the name, checked my printed and online roll and enlistment documents, medal roll to find out about the named soldier.....

What was visible on the medal in the photo was the naming which was in the proper style:

“R. JOHNSTON, CANDN: PS”

Bars: Cape Colony, Orange Free State

In checking the rolls I could only find one man that could fit that description so I decided to make the purchase even though it was quite expensive for a renamed medal.....

The medal arrived this morning and I had a very good look at it and it was described but I could make out a few more letters to the naming with my magnifying glass..... I had a friend who worked in a laboratory and had some very powerful microscopes, gave him a call, and went over to see him.... We put the medal under a 500 power microscope and after some fiddling around were able make out some more of the naming but enough to confirm the name and unit.......

Now that I have bored you with all of the above I will tell you why when we were able to read the name I gave out a great yell that I am sure that they could have heard through the whole building.....

The medal was named to:

“L/SGT. R. JOHNSTON, CANADN: P.O. CORPS”

In his service file which only contained a letter from him asking where the bars are for his medal and a letter with regards a medical report.....

INVALIDED SOLDIER

From Special Service Force in South Africa 1899/1900

No. Rank, Name: Sergeant Rowan Johnston
Special Service Corps: Postal Official / R.C.R.
Nature of Illness: Enteric
Present Status of Health: Good
Remarks: None

Signed: J. D. Brousseau (Corrected)
Major A.M.S.
Medical Officer

Place: The Citadel Quebec
Date: 24.9.00

There were only 5 QSA's named to the Canadian Post Office Corps..... (A copy of the roll attached)

The names are:

Captain W. R. Eccleston
Sergeant R. (Rowan) Johnston
Sergeant J. Lallier
Private K. A. Murray
Private F. B. Bedell

This is one of the Canadian, South African medals that I thought I would see or ever own......

Now is the time to go and have a Large glass of the Irish.....

Thanks for reading.....

Mike

Mike
That is indeed a coup! Usually, as you comment, most would shy away from an erased/partially erased medal. However, in this case access to a 500 power microscope helped.
A great addition to your collection.
Regards
IL.

As requested here are some photos of the naming......

Mike