1. What was the logic of preventing the Cape Colony and Natal clasps to any one individual (Army Order 94 para 16 and 26)?
2. Nearly 70% of medals to Naval units had no bars (Gordon/Fevyer) - why? Does this mean they just stayed on their ships in port as they were engaged in moving troops to/from South Africa?
3. Many town guard units had no bars. Why? If they were towns in the Cape Colony why were they not entitled to the Cape Colony bar?
4. The main battle for Bloemfontein was Driefontein, for Johannesburg was Doornkop and for Pretoria was Diamond Hill. All three battles were within 30 miles of these cities and the capture of these cities was the central thesis of Robert’s strategy. So why was one bar named after the city, and two after the battlefield?
5. Is it safe to assume Imperial troops are composed of troops who had to be shipped in to South Africa, whereas Colonial units were comprised of South African residents?
6. Is there a list somewhere of how many of each bar was awarded? Rolls seems to exist for a number of individual bars, but is there a list which estimates how many of each of the 26 bars was actually issued?
7. What is the final word on maximum to one individual? Is it 10, 9 or 8 – including or excluding date bars?
8. A number of sources state the end date for the Natal bar was 17 May 1900. (eg Gordon, various places on this website) but AO 94 clearly states 11 June – which makes more sense as it was immediately after Laings Nek and thus Natal could be said to be free of the Boers and have no more active service. Rhodesia Bar finishes on 17 May – date of Relief of Mafeking – so some logic there. CC/Tvl/OFS bar eligibility extended right to the end of the war. CC/Natal/Rhodesia bar eligibility started with the beginning of the war, Tvl when Roberts forces crossed the border (Vaal River), but OFS started only after the battle Paardeburg (despite this being clearly in the OFS, as was Magersfontein 2+ months before). Why does OFS eligibility start so late?
9. Do the ribbon colours have any significance?
10. The R type of reverse were in fact all with raised dates, but, apart from the 50+ issued, ALL had the dates removed – some still visible by ghost dates? The F type of reverse was therefore the second batch minted (and with no date).
Would very much appreciate answers or comments.
