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Moranthorse1 wrote: In summary, in view of your input Arthur , it would appear that 918 (1st bn.) should have been on the QSA, and 385 (2nd bn.) on the KSA. Would that sound a likely scenario? One of the many anomalies on medals for the conflict.

I don't think he would have been 918 in 1st DEOVR. The regiment's strength at the outbreak of war in October 1899 was 603, and by early December, it had risen to 997. Number 918 would no doubt have been allocated during that period, more than a year before Bain appeared on the scene.

My feeling is that when Bain signed up in March 1901, he joined 2nd DEOVR, as number 385, and may never have served in 1st DEOVR at all (by then, the DEOVR numbers would have been well over 1000, perhaps even around 2000).

But where would the number 918 come from? Perhaps members of 2nd DEOVR were renumbered after the battalion was converted to mounted and renamed CLH in October 1901?

Do you have Bain's March 1901 enlistment form? There may be some clues in it.

Arthur, all the information I have has come from the medal Roll and from Bain's entry on Find My Past. The latter, I would assume, would have been sourced from his attestation document.
Perhaps djb has access to the attestation documents for D.E.O.V.R. and C.L.H. or knows of their location? Any help would be very much appreciated please?

Rob,
That combination is even less often encountered! A nice trio indeed.
Cheers Steve

Picture courtesy of City Coins

Ashantee 1873 (1) Coomassie (Depy Comsy Coates, Control Dept. 1873 - 4);
SAGS (1) 1879 (Dep: Comy G. Coates, Commissariat Dept.);
QSA (3) CC, SA01, SA’02 (Lieut. G. Coates D.E.O.V.R.)

Lieutenant Colonel George Coates was born on 11 September 1844. He was commissioned on 7 September 1867. During the Ashantee War, Gold Coast, he was present at the Battle of Amoaful and destruction of Essaman. Despatches L.G. 18.11.1873, Zulu War Battle of Ulundi. Despatches L.G. 21.08.1879. He was promoted to the rank of Substantive Lieutenant-Colonel on 11 December 1888 and retired on 17 June 1895. During the Zulu war he was transport officer to Wood’s column and afterwards Senior Commissariat Officer at Utrecht. Prior to his retirement he was Senior ASC Officer at the Cape. He retired here and his family recalled that he had joined the Dukes as a Private but was immediately commissioned when Lt. Col. Spence saw him. The family recalled that he had served in the “Siege of Piquetberg” (Piketberg North East of Cape Town). A unique combination of awards to the Dukes. Sold with photograph “Lieutenant Colonel George Coates with his young son” and his copy of the book: “Historical Record of the 89th Princess Victoria’s Regiment” containing the details of Ensign George Coates’ service from 1865 -1870.