TOPIC:

That is interesting, as I have an Immigration Form of Passenger List dated 10th March 1896 which bears the name of Thomas Dexter, a 40 year old Englishman, a Telegraph Clerk sailing aboard "Trojan" from Cape Town to Southampton.
Cheers Steve

You have some highly desirable medals there Rob!

Trooper B W Webb being one of the original chosen men, and also having six clasps to his QSA. I would think that combination is scarce to a medal named to the Bodyguard. Do you know his nationality?
I hope you find his BSAC for a reunite.

25208-SERGEANT GAZARD TEMPEST MACE: COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S BODYGUARD



QUEENS SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL
CLASPS: CAPE COLONY/ORANGE FREE STATE/TRANSVAAL/SOUTH AFRICA 1901

CONDITION: NEF. PLEASANT TONING. ORIGINAL RIBBON.

The powerfully named Gazard Tempest Mace was born in Stockton in the county of Durham during the second quarter of 1874.

He sailed to the Cape from Southampton on 13th November 1897 aboard the "Tantallen Castle" , a ship of the Donald Currie & Co. line mastered by Robert Duncan.
The 3048 tonne vessel carried 92 passengers.
Gazard is recorded as being a single man, 26 years of age and a miner by occupation.
His birth year is given as 1871 on the ship's passenger list.

As a miner, it is very likely that he was emigrating to find his fortune in the gold and diamond fields of South Africa.
A connection with this possibility is upheld with his first military service. He served for a short period with the Rand Rifles guarding the mines with service number 30255. Perhaps this was better paid than actual mining, and alot less hard graft!
The military life must have suited him and his pocket as
he attested to the C-I-C Bodyguard on 13th December 1900 at Cape Town and was discharged 13th June 1901. His previous experience with RR no doubt helping him to join as a Sergeant.

The Medal Roll WO100/243 confirms entitlement to the QSA and four claps.

Gazard also served during the First World War with the Army Service Corps as a Driver number T1/2379. For this service he gained the 1914/15 Star, War Medal and Victory Medal to add to his QSA. He would have been around 43/44 years old when he entered France if the birth date of 1871 is correct.

I do not have his WW1 trio and would really like to reunite the group. If anyone has any information, it would be very gratefully received.

Steve,

Some successes so far





Nothing for Mainwaring (officers rarely appear) and Alexander Neilson rather than Carl.

The last two

Rob,

An amazing group to Panchaud. No attestation papers for him or Webb - sorry.