TOPIC:

I have a QSA which might have a family connection, but I have struggled to find any record of the medal. The QSA is to Civ: Condr: J. Napier. A.S.C. There are no bars or number, the latter presumably because this man was not in any military unit. I had a look at the medal rolls for the Army Service Corps but didn't spot the name. Any suggestions or insights?
Thanks in advance,
Johnathan

Johnathan


Regards
Jonathan

Thanks Jonathan! I guess I need some more experience of reading Edwardian handwriting - when I went back to my download of the WO100/216 roll of course it is easy to find this entry. I can't believe I missed it, but I did. Thanks for your help.
Do you have any other suggestions as to how I can find out more about the recipient?
Johnathan

Hello Johnathan,

You say there might be a family connection here, if so do you perhaps know if this James Napier lived in the Cape after the war and if the answer to that is yes do you perhaps have any idea in which year he passed away. I ask as there are 2 Death Notices in the Cape Town Archives for a James Napier one dated 1957 and the other in 1959.

I am going into the Archives on Thursday morning and will have a look for you if you wish.

Regards
Adrian

Hello Adrian,
Sorry, I just saw you message so this will probably be too late re: the archives. I am only really getting started with the family aspect of this medal, though we (Napier's) have links with both London and SA (though I obviously need to better define that!). But it isn't a particularly common surname which at least helps a little.
Any insights you might glean would be very welcome and appreciated.

Thanks again,
Johnathan

Hello Jonathan,

I took the liberty of scanning both files just in case you were interested. Here are the basic bits of info for you in order to confirm if either are your man.

The James Napier that passed away in 1957; Aged 72 years and a Carpenter by trade. Born in Port Elizabeth and Died in the Settlers Hospital in Grahams town. Wife's name, Gwendoline Vera Iris Napier nee Messina. Parents names Alexander and Janet Napier. Children, Arthur, Alexander, Lyaal, Isabella and Elizabeth.

James Napier that passed away in 1959; Aged 78 years. Born in Dublin, Ireland and a Civil Servant. Lived in Fort Beaufort but he actually died in Dublin, Ireland on 10 May 1959. Wife's name, Margaret Napier nee Reid. Parents names unknown. Children, Dr James Donald Napier. Death Notice dated in Pietermaritzburg on the 2 June 1959...

Hope this helps a bit.

Regards
Adrian