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David,

Many thanks for sharing those papers. I have never seen these before so it is wonderful to know what can be found.

Best wishes
David

David

A QSA in the next DNW auction:

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp, bronze issue (70 Dooley Bearer Seotali Malabux, S. & T. Corps) good very fine £100-140

Best wishes
David

Yes thanks David
70 Dooly Bearer Seotal Matabux was at Talana and in Ladysmith for the siege. Also served previously in the Sudan and is on the roll for the Queen's and Khedive's medals. Previously appeared last year at DNW where it sold for £ 160 ( ex taxes and commission)







I have this group so I am out this time.

I would quite like a Bronze QSA to someone at Talana but I think I will pass on this opportunity. Thank you for the information about his Sudan awards. The trio you posted is excellent (again!).

Best wishes
David

A large Jiffy Bag arrived from the India Office with details of medals to Indian Troops this week. The decisions re bronze or silver medals, clasps or no clasps as well as the details that pertain to the issue and re-issue of medals are now to hand.

Just one little gem to share.

68/S.Africa/6007a 12th March 1902

"A fortiori any silver general service medal issued to followers who are not menials in future campaigns will bear at least date clasps. Are they to bear battle clasps instead? In view of the Secretary of States's minute 15 and Commander in Chief's minute 20, I think the decision should be, no"

This has worried me in the past where large numbers of single date clasp medals were issued to Indian Troops. I could not understand why they were serving in Natal at the end of the War as implied by the medal roll.

So despite the fact that you may have served in Cape Colony, The Transvaal or The Orange Free State in 1902, if you are not a menial follower, you were only issued with a clasp "South Africa 1902"

The same minute authorizes the dated clasp for the bronze medal.
However WO 32/8557 quotes "Article 1240 of the Royal Warrant" saying that clasps may be issued to all "soldiers"
suggesting, but not stating, that non-soldiers should not receive clasps.

David

Congratulations on making another great step forward in your study of the medals awarded to Indians during the Boer War. Your persistence and dedication are most admirable.

Regards
Brett