Africa General Service Medal 1899-1956

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Description at Enlistment:

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Medical Report when struck down for the 3rd time while in France:

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Page 2:

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Page 3:

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Casualty Form:

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Medical History Sheet:

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Page b:

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Page c:

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Page d:

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Proceeding of the Medical Board on Invalid:

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Page ii:

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Opinion of Medical Board:

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While a great chunk of the research revolves around his health, it is amazing how much paper work was involved. I suppose with the need for men in the trenches, it was important to weed out the slackers.

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A little bit of research into the KRR and their involvement in South Africa at Brakenlaagte, 30 October 1901.

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25th Mounted Infantry Battalion

Two MI companies from the 4th KRRC joined the 1st KRRC MI at Middelburg on 16th Oct, and they were formed into 4 companies to be called the 25th MI Battalion, 364 men, under Major C L E Robertson-Eustace. The battalion formed part of the column commanded by Colonel G E Benson RA. This column, including another 435 cavalry, 500 MI, 650 infantry and 6 artillery guns, moved off to Driefontein.

The column was under pressure from Boer commandoes and Benson decided to fall back on Reit Kull to the south west via Brakenlaagte. When the Boers were reinforced they attacked on the 24th Oct. The column had a hard fight and retreated through the night. The following day the MI spent 9 hours fighting on horseback suffering 2 officers and 9 men wounded.

Brakenlaagte, 30th Oct 1901

It began to rain early in the day on 30th Oct, and the 2nd Company of the Rifles MI ran into Boers who wounded Lieut Bircham and killed one rifleman. Crum, who was now a captain, was ordered to hold a small hill near the camp at Brakenlaagte. Southeast of the camp was Gun Hill where the 20-man first section of no.1 Company Rifles MI under Sergeant Ashfield and two artillery guns were joined by Colonel Benson, the Scottish Horse and Yorkshire MI. The Boers had been joined by General Louis Botha and 500 mounted men. This brought the Boer cavalry up to 1000, and they charged over the country towards Gun Hill. They dismounted in dead ground and stormed the hill where Benson and 180 men stood to defend it. The artillery men took the brunt of the attack having only fired 3 rounds. The casualties were high in this fierce fire fight; Ashfield's 20 men suffered 17 wounded and killed, and Colonel Benson was mortally wounded.

The Boers had captured the two 15 pounders on Gun Hill. Crum's company were under fire and could not be reinforced. They included five officers and 15 other ranks. They bravely defended the hill for several hours but had to withdraw at nightfall reluctantly leaving 5 wounded men. Meanwhile, the camp was defended by no.3 Company Rifles MI and the other half of no.1 Company. Everyone dug in as fast as they could in the driving rain. Luckily, Botha's men remained on Gun Hill with their captured guns and did not retire until 3am. Many of the Boers were exhausted after a non-stop 24 hour ride to reach the battle.

The British troops involved in this inconclusive battle amounted to 1700. Seven officers and 60 men were killed and 16 officers and 149 wounded. The Boers had lost 44 killed and 100 wounded. The KRRC Mounted Infantry lost Sergeant Ashfield, killed, and their surgeon Mr Robertson as well as eleven others killed. Five officers were wounded, Lieuts Crichton, Acland-Troyte, Seymour, Bircham and Daldy. Sergeant-Major Rowat and 39 riflemen were wounded.

[Guest Darrell]

His Medal Card for 1st attempt at service in 1914:

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Medal Card for entitlement after short period in the ASC:

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A couple of other tidbits that I will likely follow up later when time permits.

His Marriage certificate circa 1915:

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Closeup:

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Death Notice 1919:

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Closeup;

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I'd be appreciative if anyone spots this fellows QSA or WW1 Trio for sale or listed they give me a shout.

Thanks.

[Guest Darrell]

I want to especially thanks Steve for grabbing a bunch of this info off Ancestry etc.

Apparently one small item overlooked. It appears he was married on May 15, 1907 to a Nellie Wheeler. Something happened where it appears a daughter died in 1908. Shortly afterwards they divorced. He was then remarried on December 25, 1915 to a Dorothy Horsfale.

These three documents have been found and listed below:

a. Marriage Notice - 1907 - ONSLOW

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Closeup of Onslow's name:

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The Marriage Notice for Nellie Wheeler:

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Closeup of Wheeler's Name: