TOPIC:

There are two QSAs on offer this month to Orpen's Light Horse .


Picture courtesy of Liverpool Medals

QSA (1) CC (17 Corporal C. Scott, Orpen’s Horse.)

Charles Scott was an original member of this small mounted unit, with regimental number of 17, having joined the unit on 28th January 1900, Major Orpen had only just began the regiment on 11th January & recruited officers, with the first recruits joining in the last week of January.

Having served in Orpens Horse he then served as 41225 Trooper in Ashburner’s Light Horse a tiny colonial cavalry unit with an approximate strength of 126 men from 19th February 1902 until 24th March 1902, when he was discharged in Kimberley District, he then joined the Griqualand West Light Horse on 27th March 1902.

He also earned a King’s South Africa Medal named to the Kimberley Horse.


Picture Courtesy of DNW

QSA (1) CC (100 Corpl: W. J. Cooper. Orpen’s Horse.)

£225 at Liverpool Medals and an estimate of £70-90 at DNW,

The QSA named to Alec Viner Pilkington, Orpen's Horse





Alec Solomon was born in 1879 and referred to himself as a Cape Colonist. Like his father, he worked as a clerk, possibly in his grandfather's accountancy business, and was 21 when he attested as Lieutenant in Orpen's Horse on 1 February 1900. Alec Solomon was discharged 18 May 1900 and his character was noted as being good.

His next of Kin was his mother, Minnie Penny of 6 Timour Villas, Plumstead, Cape Town. His father, Alfred Viner Pilkington had died 13 August 1896, aged 41, in Cape Town.

Searching online for Timour Villa brings up this building which was certainly around at the time and large enough to be segmented into a number of properties so this is his possible residence.


Picture source: ipasafrica.co.za/main/houses/timourhall/

Alec married Blanche Louise Rosamund Buyskes who was 4 years his junior. Together they had 6 children.

He died in 1942.

A strikingly unusual QSA to Orpen's Horse


Picture courtesy of DNW

Described as:

QSA (1) Belmont (282 Tpr. J. White, Orpen’s Horse)

It would be very unusual for a single clasp Belmont to be issued to Orpen's Horse unless he had prior service.

The roll suggest the more usual CC clasp was issued:



His service in Orpen's Horse was between 13 February 1900 and 16 May 1901.

David

I've pointed out this anomaly to DNW who are checking further. It certainly doesn't look right.

David

Picture courtesy of Noble Numismatics

QSA (2) Cape Colony, Orange Free State (214 Tpr: J.C.Meiklejohn. Orpen's Horse.) Impressed

Recorded on nominal roll of Orpen's Horse as 214 Tpr J.C.Miklejohn, Enlisted 9.2.00; Discharged 7.11.00 time expired (Note that correct spelling of surname is Meiklejohn).

Unsurprisingly, the Belmont QSA to Trooper J White was unsold at DNW last week.