TOPIC:

284 Trooper F.C.Else Midland Mounted Rifles
I purchased this medal yesterday to add to my collection of South African units.
I have not come across this unit before so was a little unsure of there actions.
I was pleased to read on the site that they did see some action.
If anyone can offer any more information I would be grateful.




Paul

Good evening Paul,
I like this medal, just a good honest QSA and verified in WO100/259, in addition, you might find his attestation paper in WO126/91 at Kew.
Not much to add to what Mr Stirling has to say other than the Midland Mounted Rifles were raised in the Cape Colony in April 1901 and disbanded in June 1902.
I think from memory they wore the Cape Colony arms and "Spes Bona" as a badge.
Their one time commanding officer Colonel MacAndrew is buried at Braamfontein and has/had quite an impressive memorial stone, which mentions the Midland Mounted Rifles, from his family.
Best regards Frank

coldstream wrote: 284 Trooper F.C.Else Midland Mounted Rifles
I purchased this medal yesterday to add to my collection of South African units.
I have not come across this unit before so was a little unsure of there actions.
I was pleased to read on the site that they did see some action.
If anyone can offer any more information I would be grateful.

Paul

Hello Frank,
Thank you for your comments and as ever the extra information.
Pleased you like it as much as I do.

Paul

Paul

I thought I should mention that 'ELS' is a not uncommon Afrikaans (Dutch) surname and it is possible that the name was spelled incorrectly on the medal. QSA's to Afikaners are not common and those that served for the British were much maligned by their opponents who remained loyal to the Boer cause.

It might be worth searching the SA National Archives for references to your man. Apologies in advance if I am sending you off on a wild goose chase.

Regards
Brett

Hello Brett,
Both Else and Els are really not very uncommon names in WO100, very few of both of them.
Regards Frank

Brett Hendey wrote: Paul

I thought I should mention that 'ELS' is a not uncommon Afrikaans (Dutch) surname and it is possible that the name was spelled incorrectly on the medal. QSA's to Afikaners are not common and those that served for the British were much maligned by their opponents who remained loyal to the Boer cause.

It might be worth searching the SA National Archives for references to your man. Apologies in advance if I am sending you off on a wild goose chase.

Regards
Brett

Hello Brett,
thank you for your thoughts, an interesting theory.

Paul

Brett Hendey wrote: Paul

I thought I should mention that 'ELS' is a not uncommon Afrikaans (Dutch) surname and it is possible that the name was spelled incorrectly on the medal. QSA's to Afikaners are not common and those that served for the British were much maligned by their opponents who remained loyal to the Boer cause.

It might be worth searching the SA National Archives for references to your man. Apologies in advance if I am sending you off on a wild goose chase.

Regards
Brett