TOPIC:

Picture courtesy of Morton and Eden

QSA (4) Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith, Belfast, Cape Colony (13199 Dvr. D. Nicholson, 42nd Bty: R.F.A.);
[ KSA (2) ]

Picture courtesy of Morton and Eden

QSA (4) Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast (90817 Cpl. W. Baines, 21st Bty., R.F.A.);
[ KSA (2) ]

Picture courtesy of Morton and Eden

QSA (2) Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith (4746. Corpl. A. Hill. 5 Lcrs.), engraved

Died of enteric fever during the Siege of Ladysmith, 10 February 1900.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

[ IGS 1895 (3) ];
QSA (4) Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast (4433 Pte H. Marsden, Gordon Highrs:);
[ KSA (2) ]

KSA listed on WO100/343p257

Pictures courtesy of Cadmore Auctioneers

QSA (6) Cape Colony, Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (4737 Pte R Davidson 5/Lcrs.)

Described as

A Queen’s South Africa Medal to the 5th Lancers, with six clasps including the sought-after Elandslaagte clasp, the others being: Cape Colony, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Transvaal and South Africa 1901. Named to 4737 Pte R Davidson 5/Lcrs. The 5th Lancers medal roll for the QSA lists 4737 Pte R Henderson whereas the medal is (correctly) named to 4737 Pte R Davidson. Service records show that Robert Davidson enlisted under the false name Robert Henderson at Belfast on 30 July 1897. His enlistment document shows the name Henderson struck through and substituted with Davidson at some later time, the amendment initialled 'ORC' - presumably Orderly Room Corporal (or Clerk). Robert Davidson belonged to the Antrim Artillery at the time of his enlistment. The Antrim Artillery was a Militia unit, part of the RGA which had Militia sub-units in Antrim, Clare, Corl, Donegal, Dublin, Limerick, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Wicklow and Ulster. His trade on enlistment was coal porter. Robert John Davidson was born in Old Machar, Aberdeen in March 1878. He enlisted into the 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers on 30 July 1897 and served with them in South Africa from 1899 to1901. He was transferred to the Army Reserve at Colchester on 29 February1903 (sic, although 1903 was not a leap year!) after 5 years 203 days service. The1911 Irish census shows him living at 3 Grove St, Shankill, Belfast (Docks) with his wife (Hannaha - sic) and three children Earnest (6), Maggie (2) and William (? months). His trade was given as carter. He died at Canterbury on 1 January 1915. As one of two cavalry regiments stationed in South Africa at the outbreak of the war, the 5th Lancers consequently took part in the early fighting. They fought at the Battle of Elandslaangte on 21 October 1899, which was one of the few decisive victories won by the British during the conflict. During their invasion of Natal the Boers had captured the railway station at Elandslaagte, cutting communications with Ladysmith and Dundee. The British responded by driving them out of this position by the skilful deployment of dismounted units from the Imperial Light Horse and three battalions of regular infantry, albeit with heavy casualties. As the Boers mounted their horses and started to retreat, the 5th Lancers and 5th Dragoon Guards charged them three times with lance and sabre as darkness was setting in. Many Boers were cut down and two field guns were captured. Famously, during the charge, 14-year-old Trumpeter John James Shurlock of the 5th Lancers shot three Boers with his revolver. With copies of enlistment papers and medal rolls confirming entitlement to the clasps

djb wrote:

Pictures courtesy of Cadmore Auctioneers

QSA (6) Cape Colony, Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (4737 Pte R Davidson 5/Lcrs.)

Described as

A Queen’s South Africa Medal to the 5th Lancers, with six clasps including the sought-after Elandslaagte clasp, the others being: Cape Colony, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Transvaal and South Africa 1901. Named to 4737 Pte R Davidson 5/Lcrs. The 5th Lancers medal roll for the QSA lists 4737 Pte R Henderson whereas the medal is (correctly) named to 4737 Pte R Davidson. Service records show that Robert Davidson enlisted under the false name Robert Henderson at Belfast on 30 July 1897. His enlistment document shows the name Henderson struck through and substituted with Davidson at some later time, the amendment initialled 'ORC' - presumably Orderly Room Corporal (or Clerk). Robert Davidson belonged to the Antrim Artillery at the time of his enlistment. The Antrim Artillery was a Militia unit, part of the RGA which had Militia sub-units in Antrim, Clare, Corl, Donegal, Dublin, Limerick, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Wicklow and Ulster. His trade on enlistment was coal porter. Robert John Davidson was born in Old Machar, Aberdeen in March 1878. He enlisted into the 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers on 30 July 1897 and served with them in South Africa from 1899 to1901. He was transferred to the Army Reserve at Colchester on 29 February1903 (sic, although 1903 was not a leap year!) after 5 years 203 days service. The1911 Irish census shows him living at 3 Grove St, Shankill, Belfast (Docks) with his wife (Hannaha - sic) and three children Earnest (6), Maggie (2) and William (? months). His trade was given as carter. He died at Canterbury on 1 January 1915. As one of two cavalry regiments stationed in South Africa at the outbreak of the war, the 5th Lancers consequently took part in the early fighting. They fought at the Battle of Elandslaangte on 21 October 1899, which was one of the few decisive victories won by the British during the conflict. During their invasion of Natal the Boers had captured the railway station at Elandslaagte, cutting communications with Ladysmith and Dundee. The British responded by driving them out of this position by the skilful deployment of dismounted units from the Imperial Light Horse and three battalions of regular infantry, albeit with heavy casualties. As the Boers mounted their horses and started to retreat, the 5th Lancers and 5th Dragoon Guards charged them three times with lance and sabre as darkness was setting in. Many Boers were cut down and two field guns were captured. Famously, during the charge, 14-year-old Trumpeter John James Shurlock of the 5th Lancers shot three Boers with his revolver. With copies of enlistment papers and medal rolls confirming entitlement to the clasps

In their description the auctioneers are making the common error of assuming that all 5th Lancer recipients of a QSA with the clasp Elandslaagte took part in the charge with the 5th Dragoon Guards. C Squadron took part in the charge while D squadron was positioned on the far right of the British line and took no part in the fighting. Without evidence of the company a man served in this assumption can't be made.