TOPIC:

Precious little has been written about the Natal Corps of Guides, with IL and Brett Hendey leading the field with what info there is. I was luckyu enough to obtain the Natal clasp QSA to Sergeant G. Cowan at the recent City Coins auction and was wondering if anyone had done a breakdown of clasp combinations to the 120 or so chaps who received the medal.

A cursory stroll through the rolls throws up a total of 6 with the Natal clasp only, My question is - what action would my man have seen with only that clasp?

Regards

Rory

Rory
My digging about the NCOG mainly was whatever I could find about Ladysmith; so any more info about the Corps is welcome. I suppose that service outside the parameters of the principal clasps would mean convoy escort, general security and the like. Not to be dismissed, of course.
The Buxton FID roll has a good breakdown of clasps in a handy format. Later today, I will have a look. Trouble is that whenever I have a look, I get distinctly envious of anyone who has a multiple clasp example!
Best regards
IL.

Rory and other members interested
As predicted, the Buxton FID roll for the Natal Corps of Guides (Intelligence Department) shows a rich harvest of clasp combinations. Quite a number were entitled to clasps dating after the Natal campaign - they must have been ID chaps who enlisted later. Or were employed elsewhere during the Natal campaign. That said, my personal opinion is that ANY NCOG QSA is worth having; especially given the fact that the Honorary rank of Sgt. was awarded them.
Best regards
IL.

Many thanks IL. I have received Mr Cowan with this mornings courier.

Very chuffed. He lived in Ward 2 (Ladysmith) during the Boer War and was one of several with that surname in the town.











Regards

Rory

When I started collecting medals in the 1980s we had a Military Medal Society of South Africa which published a journal a couple of times annually. Various collectors would contribute articles , some of which were a distillation of the relevant books available at the time. Some articles , however added to the body of knowledge . Each journal was eagerly anticipated and carefully stored. The contributors weren't paid .
I am attaching an article written by G D Trotter ( Dennis) entitled "Natal Corps of Guides - Anglo Boer War "
The article was a scant 4 pages . Dennis died a number of years ago so I'm sure that he wont mind me sharing his article.
Maybe someone should add to the article for the benefit of future generations of collectors ( assuming there are still collectors who enjoy collecting for its own sake and not solely to augment the investment value of the collection )

Thanks Mike - there is no attachment. Are you able to upload it?