TOPIC:

I recently purchased a QSA to Pte F E Ovens, 48th IY, accompanied by a very impressive badge described in Kipling and King, but the first I have seen. K & K describe it as

"On an eggshell blue-enamel circle the cypher of Lord Roberts (a coronet above the letter R). A circlet surronding this inscribed Commander in Chief's Yeomanry Escort South African Field Force. Extensions on both sides and the base of the circlet. The left inscribed 19, the right 00 and the base virtute et valore. All in gilt.
This was not an independant unit, but was in fact the 48th (North Somerset) Company IY, whose Commander, Major W. M. Sherston, DSO, was Lord Roberts' nephew and ADC.
It was Major Sherston who, with Lord Roberts' consent, presented the badge, but it is doubtful if it was ever worn.
The Yeomen's period of duty as the escort lasted for only 8 months from the time of their arrival in South Africa until Lord Roberts left for home."

Does anyone know any more about the escort or know where K & K got their information as it is unreferenced? Interestingly the medal rolls show that Ovens also spent 3 months in the Provisional Transvaal Constabulary from 14.6.00-7.10.00 as did 28 other 48th IY members. This seem a disproportionately large number from one company and I am wondering whether this is linked to their escort duties?

What an interesting items and superb picture. Many thanks.

I see Bosleys sold one in 1998 and described it as: Commander in Chief's Yeomanry Escort badge. A very fine and scarce example comprising a gilt Crowned circlet inscribed "Commander in Chief's Yeomanry Escort. South African Field Force" Protruding from either side of the circlet, a scroll inscribed "1900"; to the base a similar scroll inscribed "Virtute et Valores". To the centre, the Cypher of Lord Roberts viz. the initial "R" surmounted by a coronet, mounted on a egg shell blue enamel ground. Two loops to reverse. Some wear to gilt Vgc KK 1395 E300-400 Unit was 48th (North Somerset) Company, Imperial Yeomanry commanded by Lord Robert's nephew and ADC, Major W.M. Sherston DSO.

The Bulletin of the Military Historical Society, No 143, February 1986 includes an article entitled "Badges of the Commander in Chief’s Yeomanry Escort" and includes pictures. I don't have a copy of this Bulletin. Does anyone else?

Good luck!
David

Thank you David. I knew this forum was going to be useful! I do indeed have the February 1986 MHS article by J. Robert Williams to which you refer but had completely missed it! It describes another example of the badge from the Africana Museum in Jo'burg named on the reverse to Tpr. P. M. Fleetwood 48th IY and also gives another reference to MHS February 1954 by Ernest Martin who suggests, but doesn't give evidence,that the badge was worn on the breast pocket.

Paul

Hello Paul

That is a cracking badge.

Your question about the PTC: My understanding is that men joined the PTC when their period of service finished and they elected to stay in SA rather than return to the UK.

Such men also joined colonial units, Imperial Military Railways, SAC or took up civilian jobs.

Regards
Meurig

Hello Meurig,

I don't think that can apply here. All the 48th IY men who joined the PTC served with them from 14.6.00-7.10.00 or from the 22.06.00 - 7.10.00 and must have been transferred as a group. This would have been before their period of service in the IY expired. Many of them also subsequently joined KFS after their IY service. There must be a story here somewhere! I can't find a company or battalion history of the 48th IY or a memoir to clarify what happened.

Regards
Paul

Paul,

Do you know when the 48th arrived in SA?



Regards
David