TOPIC:

In a disintegrated album there were some documents concerning Trooper Alfred Holmes. British soldiers are not my area of expertise and I gladly leave this vast subject to medal-men and fellow ABW enthusiasts Rory, Smethwick, Sturgy and others. However, Alfred Holmes was, apparently, a Jameson Raider and as such a person involved in a determining event leading up to the war. From a letter sent by De Beers to Alfred's sister in May 1906, I know that Alfred had died sometime before, quite likely not in front of a firing squad as some Boers would have thought appropriate. Below the Discharge Certificates pertaining to Holmes that were in the album; perhaps the medal-men can provide some context.

Everhard,

These are a really nice and complete set of papers, not something we often see.

During the Boer War he served as 138 Trooper in the Kimberley Light Horse earning the clasps Relief of Mafeking, Defence of Kimberley and Orange Free State. His service dates were 19 Oct 1899 to 5 Jun 1900.

He had previously served in the Bechuanaland Rebellion 1897 earning the CGHGSM and clasp.

An Alfred J Homes was a Jameson Raider. Nationality: English. Age: 22, Address: Mafeking, Bechuanaland,

He also served in the Matabeleland Relief Force earning the BSACM, reverse Rhodesia 1896.

A very desirable set of South African campaign medals.

I like how his Kimberley Star is noted on his KLH discharge.

Best wishes
David

David, thank you for the information and the confirmation Holmes was a Raider. Attached a letter that Alfred wrote a couple of weeks after the Siege to his sister. Interestingly, less than 6 months into the conflict Alfred already refers to the war as “the Boer War”. Would be nice to find out more about Holmes, especially his participation in the Raid and in the KLH during the defence of Kimberley.

Now if I had Alfred's group of medals I would be knocking on your door right now Everhard! What a wonderful array of original documents.

The Discharge paper for the Kimberley Town Guard also confirms something about which there is often confusion - that is that the KTG were called into existence from the first day hostilities commenced and not later on in 1899 as many believe.

The papers also show that Alfred wasn't content to do redoubt duties like so many of the KTG but wanted to see more action - hence his stay of only a week with the KTG before moving on to its more adventurous relative, the Kimberley Light Horse.

Regards

Rory