TOPIC:

I have just purchased a QSA awarded to J. Wilson which lists him as "AB HMS Barracouta". I have been trying to research his history bit I'm not quite sure where to start and I thought that someone might be able to help me. What interested me a lot about his medal is that he has bars for: Belmont, Modder River, Relief of Kimberly, Paardeberg & Driefontein and I was wondering why a sailor would have so many bars.
Thanks Folks

Hi Willett
And a warm welcome to the forum.
Click on this link below for info on HMS Barracouta.
angloboerwar.com/unit-information/rn-ships/53-hms-barracouta

Your man is listed here, the rolls show a QSA only no clasps
262 no-clasp Queen’s South Africa Medals were awarded to the ship’s company of H.M.S. Barracouta.

Paul

Willett wrote: I have just purchased a QSA awarded to J. Wilson which lists him as "AB HMS Barracouta". I have been trying to research his history bit I'm not quite sure where to start and I thought that someone might be able to help me. What interested me a lot about his medal is that he has bars for: Belmont, Modder River, Relief of Kimberly, Paardeberg & Driefontein and I was wondering why a sailor would have so many bars.
Thanks Folks

Thanks Paul, its nice to make contact with the forum and get help from people like yourself.
I guess this leaves me with a bit of a puzzle as to why the bars are on the medal. Maybe if I can can find out more about this man's deployment I might find the answer out.

Just out of interest, my grandfather was a Sarg. Farrier with the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles and so hence my interest in the war. I have attached a picture of him from a photo my Uncle has his possession. We also have his Lee Medford bayonet, his QSA and his discharge papers. Its all good fun. Interestingly the blow up picture of him is a charcoal sketch taken from the original photo. My grandfather, David Anderson (1278), is the man on the left. Unfortunately I do not know name of the other soldier.
Thanks again and all the best,
Gary

Gary,

I wouldn't give up hope yet.

The sequence of bars on the medal were indeed awarded to Royal Navy sailors who served ashore in the Naval Brigade and fought in those engagements.They landed from the ships H.M.S. Doris, H.M.S. Philomel and H.M.S. Monarch.

It would be worth checking the original medal rolls and sailor's papers held at the National Archives. It is possible that your A.B. Wilson transferred to H.M.S. Barracouta after service off one of the other ships. No promises though!

Best wishes,

Justin

Hi Gary,
As Justin says "dont give up hope" strange things happen with medals!
Are all the clasps officially riveted do you know?
Great pics of your Grandfather and to have the rest of his service possesions is superb, you are really lucky.
Good luck with your further research.

Paul

Willett wrote: Thanks Paul, its nice to make contact with the forum and get help from people like yourself.
I guess this leaves me with a bit of a puzzle as to why the bars are on the medal. Maybe if I can can find out more about this man's deployment I might find the answer out.

Just out of interest, my grandfather was a Sarg. Farrier with the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles and so hence my interest in the war. I have attached a picture of him from a photo my Uncle has his possession. We also have his Lee Medford bayonet, his QSA and his discharge papers. Its all good fun. Interestingly the blow up picture of him is a charcoal sketch taken from the original photo. My grandfather, David Anderson (1278), is the man on the left. Unfortunately I do not know name of the other soldier.
Thanks again and all the best,
Gary

Hi Gary,
Just had a look at the Naval medal rolls on Ancestry
There is a A.B.J.Wilson 186.261 HMS Barracouta listed there.
"sent to Pembroke 8 Feb 02"
I am not to sure of Naval records, not sure if that means the sailor was sent to Pembroke or the medal.
Pembroke could either be HMS Pembroke or Pembroke Docks I think.

Paul