TOPIC:

David
Reading his obituary, ".... at the siege of Wepener …" can be taken two days. Either with the relief force or inside the perimeter. Of course, not all the CMR were inside the Wepener perimeter and it appears he was with the relief force. Perhaps "a correspondent" heard M/G Collyer reminiscing about the Wepener siege and made an understandable assumption.
Still, an interesting chap.
Regards
IL.

I'm inclined to go with you on this one IL. Because Wepener wasn't a "siege"no clasps were awarded to the relieving force ala Mafeking, Kimberley and Ladysmith.

Many men were disgruntled by this and claimed to have been at Wepener as opposed to in Wepener. Perhaps Collyer was one of themor, as you postulate, someone else claimed the honour for him.

Rory

Rory
Indeed, I may have overused the term "siege" in some descriptions I have made re the Wepener action/investment! However, it did feature many characteristics of a "siege" and I think many will always regard it as such.
Such a great clasp to see on a QSA - knowing what it took to be awarded to a chap. Along with "Relief of Mafeking", "Wepener" are personal favourites.
Keep writing, Rory - you do excellent posts.
Best Regards
IL.

I would agree that it had all the characteristics of a siege. I imagine the authorities would have looked at its duration and the type and number of people involved and thought it did not compare to the 'big three'.

This is what could have been:



Sadly, this is from Photoshop rather than unofficial clasps.

David
If only, if only!
Best regards
IL.

Going through the War Service of Officers, 1905, there are several mentions of the Defence of Wepener from officers who were not present.

As an example:



Vet Lt F W Hunt received QSA (5) RoK Paard Joh DH Witt on WO100/230p193.