TOPIC:

Dave F wrote: www.angloboerwar.com/medals-and-awards/b...s-south-africa-medal

www.angloboerwar.com/medals-and-awards/british/1723-ksa

Does your QSA copy have any clasps?

No, they do not have any clasps at all

Captain Cardigan wrote:

Dave F wrote: www.angloboerwar.com/medals-and-awards/b...s-south-africa-medal

www.angloboerwar.com/medals-and-awards/british/1723-ksa

Does your QSA copy have any clasps?

No, they do not have any clasps at all

Ok, So if you were to wear both on your replica uniform, you would need the 2 date clasps for the KSA and a couple of replica bars for your QSA, say Cape Colony or Transvaal. No date bars required on the QSA. Alternatively if you could not get the clasps in time for your show, perhaps you could wear a medal ribbon bar which can be pinned on to your uniform.

I have those colours attached to the medals and now know which way they face, Queen's Medal wtih Queen presenting, Kings Medal with obverse presenting. Sadly, due to the fact I cannot get a larger necked tunic until the end of September I shall take a photo of my open collared uniform and send it to Bury by e-mail but have stated that I intend to have everything ready by next Minden Day and look forward to attending with everything as it should be.

I was watching the film "Oh, what a lovely war" on Sky Cinema when I suddenly realised "I recognise those medals" and found that it was indeed the King's and Queen's South Africa medals mentioned in the title sequence, however these also had metal bars with place names on them. Are these the clasps that you are referring to?

Yep, they are the clasps. The ones used in the title sequence were a QSA with 3 clasps Transvaal, Driefontein and Cape Colony plus the KSA with the 2 date clasps 1901 and 1902.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (3) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (2978 Cpl G. Radcliffe [sic], 1st Suffolk Regt);
KSA (2) (2978 Serjt: G. Ratliff. Suffolk Regt) surname partially officially corrected;
Army LS&GC Ed VII (2978 Sjt: G. Ratliff. Suffolk Regt)

George Ratliff was born in Hadleigh, Suffolk. He attested for the Suffolk Regiment at Hadleigh in January 1891, and advanced to Corporal in December 1897. Ratliff advanced to Sergeant in May 1905, and served with the 1st Battalion in South Africa from November 1899 to September 1902. He then served with the Battalion in Egypt from January 1911 until February 1914, and at Home from February 1914 (awarded LS&GC in October 1909). Ratliff transferred to the 2nd Battalion, and served with the them on the Western Front from 15 August 1914 (entitled to 1914 Star and Clasp trio). He invalided back to the UK due to sickness, and took up duties as Mess Sergeant with the 3rd Battalion at Felixstowe. Ratliff transferred to the Labour Corps in June 1917, and was discharged after 28 years’ service in November 1918.

Later in life, Ratcliff resided in Ipswich - but was killed in a bicycle accident in January 1921.