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Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3495 Pte F. Harris. N: Zealand M.R.);
[ BWM ];
South African Victory Medal 1914-19 (L/Sjt F. Harris. S.A.M.C.C.)

Frederick Harris was born at Waverley, New Zealand on 21 April 1879, he was the son of Thomas and Catherine Blair Harris (nee Small). He originally served in the Second Boer War as a Trooper (3495) with the 18th Company, 6th New Zealand Contingent. He was discharged in New Zealand in May 1902 but returned to South Africa in July of the same year. Harris served during the German East Africa campaign of the Great War from 1916 serving with the South African Motorcycle Corps. Harris was captured by the Germans on 18 February 1917 near Malangala, and wrote about his capture:

"On the 18th February 1917 at about 10am I was in a position with Col. Fairweather on the road from Tandala Mission to St.Milo Mission, 16 miles south of Tandala. Troops appeared on both our flanks and front. A discussion arose as to whether they were enemy or friendly troops. Col. Fairweather was of opinion that they were Capt. Anderson's troops, but personally I told Col. Fairweather I thought they were enemy troops. The Colonel ordered me to go forward with 12 Native Scouts and ascertain exactly what troops they were. After proceeding about 300 yards in the bush, the Scouts refused to go any further, as they said there were Germans ahead. I went on ahead with one Scout 800 yards, where I took up an observation post. Shortly after this the Colonel came and took up a position about 10 yards behind me. He called out to me "Go on Harris; it's quite all right; I am positive they are English." I advanced another 250 yards, bring me up to the edge of the bush. Two German whites stepped out four yards ahead of me and called "Hand-up" in English. Before I could act I was seized from all sides by German Askaris and my rifle and equipment taken off me."

Harris was returned to the British Lines on 28 May 1917 having become seriously ill. After the war Harris resided at Johannesburg and was active with the 6th Contingent Association, often sending letters back to New Zealand for inclusion in the magazine. He was married with two children.

Together with a South African Service Corps cap badge all mounted for display.

The South African Motor Cyclist Corps was formed in January 1916 under the command of Colonel James Fairweather. He was an Anglo Boer war veteran who had been awarded the D.S.O for “very good service at Patriots Klip, Cape Colony on 15th December 1901” and was twice Mentioned in Dispatches. He had also seen recent service in German West Africa where he was again Mentioned in Dispatches. The Corps was made up mainly of railway men, possibly because of their familiarity with things mechanical, who were paid five shillings and six pence per day. The Corps hat badge with a winged wheel reflected the men’s origin as it was very similar to the badge used by Railway units.

The Corps was formed into eight platoons, plus a Headquarters Section. Each platoon had its own motor mechanic and there were also mechanics and signallers in the Headquarters Section. In February 1916, while the Corps was still in training at Potchefstroom, 50 of the most promising men were chosen to go early to East Africa as dispatch riders. They were told that they were likely to go into action very soon after landing so while the ship was still at sea their machines were brought up out of the hold and set up on deck.

The remainder of the Corps sailed from Durban for East Africa early in April 1916 on the S.S. Huntsgreen. Captain Duncan McMillan, Adjutant and former Engineering Professor at Cape Town University, gave lectures on motor cycles during the voyage. Smallpox broke out on board and after they landed the Corps was taken by train into quarantine near Voi. They were kept isolated for three weeks and during this time the cyclists* heard their first lions. The initial ride was to Moshi, over 100 miles away, with the last part being ridden in darkness. As compensation, the cyclists saw the splendour of Mount Kilimanjaro by moonlight. The next ride was to Kondoa-Irirangi along a very rough road that was in turn sandy and deeply rutted by motor lorries. The machines sank in the sand down to the B.S.A.’s footboards. Several river crossings had to be negotiated by manhandling the motorcycles. Each B.S.A. was carried on two poles by four men.

The QSA to Charles Tillyshort sold for a hammer price of GBP 850. Totals (VAT UK only): GBP 1,054. R23,000. Au$1,930. Can$1,890. US$1,370.