bigjarofwasps

Quality!!! I think I`m safe in saying all US medals are naf looking, and the less said about the NATO and US medals the better.

5000 miles with the Cheshire Yeomanry in South Africa: A series of articles compiled from letters and diaries written by officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the 21st and 22nd (Cheshire) Companies of Imperial Yeomanry, relating their experiences during the South African War in the years 1900-1901 I saw this book advertised on Amazon, but it had no price or author or anything else really, has anyone ver heard of it as it sounds just what i`m after!!!

Cheers Paul, Gleave must have been with the first contingent as he has CC,OFS & 1901 Clasps. Gordon.

Police Constable Joseph Daniels Metropolitan Police. Joined 17th May 1886, posted to C Div PC 387 (St James), 10th August 1888, posted to J Div PC 223/PC 502 (Bethnal Green) 20 days before the murder of Polly Nichols, at Bucks Row. 15th August 1890 posted to E Div PC259 (Holborn). He received a pay increase on the 23rd May 1891. Then on the 23rd May 1892, he died on duty, from choking to death on his own false teeth, whilst effecting an arrest. A local paper, The Holborn and Finsbury Guardian ran the following story……. The Danger of False Teeth On Wednesday evening at St Clement Danes Vestry-hall, Strand, Mr John Troutbeck, the coroner for Westminster, held an inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of Police Constable Joseph Daniels 259E aged 27 years who was killed early on Sunday morning whilst taking a prisoner to Bow Street Police Station. Superintendent Steggles of the E Division, was present, Joseph Daniels a registration agent of 9 Meeting House Lane, Peckham. Identified the deceased as his son, lately resided at Jubilee Buildings, Waterloo Road. Sometime ago he had erysipelas in the face, and the divisional surgeon ordered him to have some of his teeth extracted and replaced by false ones. These he was wearing at the time of his death, PC 379E Alfred Smith, said that on Sunday morning at about 12:20 he was in Kemble Street, Clare market, taking a prisoner to Bow Street Police Station. A crowd of several hundred persons had assembled and an attempt to rescue the man was made. Witness blew his whistle and in response the deceased came running up. He took hold of the prisoners other arm and they had only proceeded a few yards, when the witness missed the deceased, and on looking round saw him lying on the pavement. Another constable came up and witness went oh his way. PC350E William Stewart said that he was on duty in Newcastle Street when he heard the whistle blow, and on going to Kemble Street saw the two Constables with a man in custody. Witness broke through the crowd, and then he saw the deceased lying on the ground. He immediately undid his collar and sent for an ambulance, on which he conveyed the unfortunate man to the hospital. By the Coroner: the deceased was not knocked down, kicked or otherwise assaulted. Dr Eric Law Pritchard, house physician at Kings College Hospital, said that the deceased was dead when he was admitted. He made the post-mortem examination, which revealed that the deceased, was an exceedingly healthy man. Just about the larynx witness found a set of false teeth impacted, which had produced suffocation, the cause of death. The teeth were of a very inferior make, no doubt they became loosened through the deceased running, and an inspiration drew them down his throat. The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death” and added that they thought the deceased was over anxious to do his duty. Entitled to the 1887 Jubilee Medal.

Imperial Yeomanry – Brief History. The Imperial Yeomanry were born out of the disasters that became known as ‘Black Week’ in December 1899, after these set-backs it became obvious to all that mounted infantry were needed in large numbers to counter the fast moving, hard hitting Boers. At the start of the war there had been many offers from the Colonels of existing county yeomanry regiments to provide forces for South Africa, some at no cost to the Government, all were politely but firmly rejected. The Yeomanry were a volunteer organization that had been in existence for over a hundred years, the Pembroke Yeomanry having the distinction of being the only unit to have a battle honour on British soil for their defeat of the small French invasion force at Fishguard in 1797. A decision was taken by at the War Office on the 13th of December 1899 to allow a contingent of volunteer forces based on the standing yeomanry regiments, this was a watershed decision in the war. The acceptance that the conflict was not going to be a swift and painless operation and that every man, whether standing army or volunteer, would be needed to defeat this desperate enemy. The birth of the Imperial Yeomanry was through a Royal Warrant dated the 24th of December 1899 and from this warrant the standing Yeomanry regiments were asked to provide service companies of around 115 men each. The new Imperial Yeomanry were to be raised on a county basis with the core being the men of the existing volunteer units, the remainder of the numbers being recruited from individuals that met the strict criteria laid down. The Royal Warrant stated:- 1. Her Majesty's Government have decided to raise for active service in South Africa a mounted infantry force, to be named "The Imperial Yeomanry". 2. The force will be recruited from the Yeomanry, but Volunteers and civilians who possess the requisite qualifications will be specially enlisted in the Yeomanry for this purpose. 3. The force will be organized in companies of 115 rank and file, 1 one captain and four subalterns to each company, preferably Yeomanry officers. 4. The term of enlistment for officers and men will be for one year, or not less than the period of the war. 5. Officers and men will bring their own horses, clothing, saddlery and accoutrements. Arms, ammunition, camp equipment and transport will be provided by the government. 6. The men to be dressed in Norfolk jackets, of woollen material of neutral colour, breeches and gaiters, lace boots, and felt hats. Strict uniformity of pattern will not be insisted on. 7. Pay to be at Cavalry rates, with a capitation grant for horses, clothing, etc. 8. Applications for enrolment should be addressed to colonels commanding Yeomanry regiments, or to general officers commanding districts, to whom instructions will be issued. 9. Qualifications are: Candidates to be from 20 to 35 years of age, and of good character. Volunteers or civilian candidates must satisfy the Colonel of the regiment through which they enlist that they are good riders and marksmen, according to the Yeomanry standard. The original contingents of the I.Y. were an amazing collection of individuals who were generally socially superior to the men of the regular army they were meant to serve alongside. The 47th Company (Duke of Cambridge’s Own) consisted almost totally of gentlemen from the City of London who not only gave their wages over to the Imperial War Fund but were willing to pay for a horse, their equipment and passage to South Africa. Apart from the 47th there was also Paget’s Horse (19th Bn.) which was recruited through gentleman’s clubs, in total over 50% of the original contingent were of middle and upper classes. This figure included many troopers who had resigned a county Yeomanry commission, they were so desperate to get involved in the conflict. A typical example of the kind of infectious enthusiasm of this group of men was demonstrated by the South Notts. Hussars:- “”On the morning of Christmas Eve 1899, a notice was to be found in conspicuous places in Nottingham. It was from the War Office and it invited members of the Yeomanry to enrol in the forces required as the result of the hostilities declared in October '99 by the Transvaal Republic, later to be assisted by the Orange Free State. The proclamation was under the hands of the commanders of the Sherwood Rangers, the South Notts. Hussars, the Yorkshire Hussars and the Yorkshire Dragoons. Such was their willingness to join the cause Col. Rolleston and his men, (and in 24 hours there were to be 160 volunteers, including 9 commissioned officers) were mobilised on the 4th January 1900 and 25 days later they were off to Cape Town, sailing on the troopship, SS Winifredian. The 3rd Regiment of Imperial Yeomanry amounted to four squadrons or companies and the South Notts. Hussars' contingent became ‘12' Squadron (title numbers were not consecutive). Colonel Lancelot Rolleston was its 'Captain' and Captain R.L. Birkin was his 'Lieutenant’. Among the N.C.O.s and men in the Nominal Roll are the names of 'Corporal' H.L Birkin and ‘Trooper' T.P Barber. Both S.N.H. Officers, they had surrendered their commissions to join the 'party'. “” Standards of troops raised in this manner tended to vary considerably. The laid down regulations of men being able to both ride and shoot proficiently was prone to a certain ‘slippage’ in some companies. This meant that some men arriving in South Africa had minimum horsemanship skills. Sadly even more of the men were poor marksmen, a fact that some of them would not live to regret. Thankfully a lot of the companies were held up at the Cape for long periods awaiting transport up country which gave them time for much needed training and acclimatization. Eventually a force of 550 officers and 10,371 men formed the original contingent of the I.Y., made up of 20 battalions of 4 companies each, the 8th and 16th battalions being 3 companies strong. The I.Y. began to arrive in South Africa from early February of 1900 and this process continued until early April. The 17th and 18th Battalions, being part of the Rhodesia Field Force did not arrive in Africa until May when they landed at the swampy and insect ridden Mozambique town of Beira. Once in the Cape the men were sent the five miles to Maitland Camp where conditions soon proved to be quite awful. The camp was understaffed and had few facilities for the huge influx of men it was meant to deal with, for many the journey up country would be a welcome change from the cramped conditions and ennui of the Base camp. When the Yeomanry eventually left Maitland a grand plan had been hatched to spread the various battalions around the zone of operations. Four battalions (3rd, 5th, 10th & 15th) were to head for Mafeking, ten battalions (1st, 4th, 6th,7th, 9th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th & 19th) were to serve in the Orange Free State and the 2nd Battalion were to join Sir Charles Warren in Griqualand. The 8th, 19th and 20th Battalions were to remain in the Cape Colony. This plan proved little more than a theory however as the huge demand for mobile forces meant that companies of yeoman were detached from their HQ elements for weeks at a time and some battalions never even formed as such. The first action of the new force came on the 5th of April 1900 where elements of the 3rd and 10th Battalions engaged a rather strange force of foreign volunteers under the command of the aristocratic Frenchman Count de Villebois-Mareuil at Boshof, north west of Kimberley. By a series of tactical errors the Boer sympathizers allowed themselves to be surrounded and the Count was killed. It was a fine victory at the sad cost of 3 dead (Lieutenants C.W. Boyle and A.C. Williams, Sergeant Patrick Campbell) but the Boer would prove to be a much tougher and elusive enemy as they soon showed at Lindley later the next month. Lindley was, in all senses of the word, a humiliation for the British. Not only did nearly an entire battalion of yeoman fall into the hands of the Boer, but the manner of their capture and the fact that the it was the 13th Battalion made matters much worse. The battalion, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Basil Spragge, had been ordered to join the 9th Division under Colvile at Kroonstad. Because of a mix up in communication (Spragge claimed he was sent a telegram, Colvile denied sending one) the battalion instead headed for the Boer held town of Lindley where the pre-warned Boers were waiting for them. On the afternoon of the 27th of May 1900 the 13th battalion rode into Lindley and were shocked to find that it was not Colvile but a large contingent of the enemy that met them. Spragge made the decision to hold his ground in a group of hills to the north west of Lindley and await help, messages were sent but the manner of the message did not contain the tone of urgency that the situation required, as such no plan to assist the battalion was put into operation until it was too late. After choosing his ground the situation for Spragge and his battalion grew rapidly worse, they were surrounded by a far more numerous enemy who also had artillery (it arrived on the 29th under command of De Wet). By the morning of the 31st of May the situation had become almost untenable and the final outcome was sealed when the party of the 47th Company commanding a critical position surrendered. With no chance of holding out, Spragge surrendered at around half past two in the afternoon. The yeoman had lost 1 officer and 16 men killed, another 1 officer and 3 men died of wounds. The Boers captured over 400 men in total, a huge shock, not only to the yeoman but to the public back in Britain. To make matters worse the men of the 13th battalion were the Duke of Cambridge’s Own and the three Irish companies, these men symbolized the wealth and power that had been associated with this corps. The D.C.O. had been nicknamed the ‘Millionaires’ Own’ because of the number of hugely wealthy men in it’s ranks and the Irish companies contained large amounts of money and title from the landed families of Dublin and Belfast. Within a few months of arrival in South Africa the yeoman had been given both a bloody nose, sadly this was not to be it’s last. These pitched battles were rare events for the Yeomanry who rode hundred of miles over the veldt and met the Boer at infrequent times. The yeoman formed flying columns that moved constantly from dawn to dusk with only poor rations and little chance of shelter, hardly surprising that the rate of disease and death soared and the ranks of these men were thinned constantly. The story of the I.Y. for the remainder of 1900 was of minor victories and some occasions where it’s volunteer status became all too obvious, an example of this being on the 26th of June where the 35th Company fled from a Boer attack north of Senekal. In July the I.Y. were heavily engaged in the hunting of the Boer General De Wet in an attempt to stop his fleeing into the Transvaal, they did not succeed in this, a failure for which they were to pay for at a later date. In September 1900 word began to spread among the men about the decision to send that other volunteer unit, the City Imperial Volunteers, home. Although the C.I.V. had been in South Africa since late January the decision to return them to England caused huge resentment and disillusion among the yeoman. The constant monotonous routine of patrolling was beginning to bite deeply into the enthusiasm that had brought these men to Africa. Another cause of resentment was the policy of farm burning that had been imposed by Roberts in the Summer of 1900, work that the educated men of the yeomanry found hard to stomach. This policy was eventually stopped in November. The morale of the men was low, men volunteered for service with the Transvaal Constabulary and other police forces to escape the monotony, regular units snapped up the ‘prime material’ of the yeoman as officers and various Government departments offered these literate men fine jobs. With these reductions and the men who perished or were medically discharged the numbers of yeoman began to fall to alarmingly low numbers. No policy had ever been agreed upon to reinforce the original contingent, as such by the end of 1900 there was barely a third of these men left serving. When General Roberts left South Africa in December 1900 he pressed for a return of the volunteer infantry companies and the original contingent of the I.Y. on the basis that if something was not done quickly, the consequences for future volunteer forces would be dire. Although the original contingent had actually signed for ‘a year or for the duration of the war’ it was decided that they had done enough and recruitment began immediately for a second and larger contingent of Imperial Yeomanry in early 1901. The second contingent or ‘new’ yeomanry were a totally different force from that of the original. Gone were the patriotically motivated educated men, the new recruit of 1901 was likely to have much more in common with his regular soldier comrades. Generally working class and with a motivation derived from a 5 shilling a day wage (as opposed to the shilling a day in the infantry, little surprise many men transferred from the volunteer companies of infantry battalions to the I.Y.), the new yeomanry came to South Africa as very poor soldiers with none of the hard won skills of the original contingent. For a few months the small remainder of the original contingent served alongside the second, long enough for the veterans to be filled with a sense of foreboding that proved more than accurate. Eventually in June and July 1901 the veterans, bar those who had re-enlisted with the new force (including a lot of enlisted men who were commissioned) returned to England. It is amazing to note that a lot of these men ended up as officers in WW1 and such men as Corporal Shand of the Pembroke Yeomanry ended up as a C.O. of the Green Howards, gaining the V.C.. The experiences they gained in South Africa were not wasted. The second contingent was born in haste, trained in chaos at Aldershot in January and February 1901 and a lot of the men were packed off to the war before it’s officers had even been selected. Apart from the social differences, the new I.Y. also contained a lot of married men who had been positively discouraged from joining in 1900. The Government was keen to settle the new claimed lands and offered the yeoman the chance to bring their families with them. For most, those companies that were so carefully selected by county in 1900 were now formed from any batch of recruits at Aldershot who were ready, the common bond of geography was gone. The situation in South Africa had also changed drastically, the half-hearted Boers had gone, leaving only the men determined to fight to the last. The war had become very guerilla in nature, thrust into this theatre, the yeoman found life very difficult. If some ‘slippage’ in standards had been allowed in the original contingent, those in the new yeomanry were at times ignored. Over 700 men who had been passed fit in England were sent back from South Africa as medically unsuitable or unlikely to become efficient soldiers. At least those who proved fit had come from hard existences that if nothing else, prepared them for the harsh life on the veldt. Problems also occurred with the officer selection that was an administration disaster, it caused men to be chosen who had no experience or leadership potential. Some officers were sent straight back home after being found to be cowards, drunkards or just plain incompetent. To counter these problems the companies of yeoman were increased to 155 men (so less officers were required), officers were drafted in from other units and some of the original contingent were convinced to stay on. The first blooding of the new force came at Vlakfontein on the 29th of May 1901, 230 yeoman of the 7th Battalion being involved. The force under Brigadier General Dixon consisted of yeoman, artillery, some Scottish Horse and some men of the Derbyshires. The rear-party, consisting of the yeoman, 100 Derbyshires and 2 guns were attacked by 500 Boers, the yeoman fled after suffering 70 casualties and left the Derbyshires and artillerymen to be shot down. Only a counter-attack, launched by the Scottish Horse and some K.O.S.B.’s saved the guns and salvaged some pride. At best the I.Y. could claim that some men had joined in the counter-attack but their reputation had already begun to suffer and questions were being raised in parliament about their suitability for this campaign. In the same way as the original contingent, the improvement of the force became evident as they stayed in the field and by September 1901 they had improved immensely. Near Rustenburg in this month men of the 5th and 9th Battalions fought off an attack on a column which cost it 12 dead and in a hard fought engagement at Moedwil on the 30th the yeoman and Scottish Horse again gave a good account of themselves. In England, at the end of 1901, there were plans to reduce the incessant reduction of the I.Y. by wastage. Whilst a system of drafts had yet to be introduced, the authorities raised the 25th and 26th Battalions from former I.Y. soldiers, ex-regulars and men who had served in the colonies. A third contingent was also being raised as early as December to allow these new men the time for some proper training before deployment, lessons of a year ago were being learned. The worst catastrophe of the second contingent occurred at Tweefontein on Christmas morning of 1901. The 11th Battalion were caught by De Wet in an awful position that they had been ordered to occupy. The Boers had quickly taken a position overlooking the British camp and from there they fired mercilessly into the tents of the sleeping men below. Despite attempts by various officers and S.N.C.O.’s the camp was taken and 289 yeoman were killed, wounded or taken prisoner. This was not to be the last disaster for the second contingent, a convoy was attacked and captured by De la Rey at Yzerspruit on the 25th of February 1902 which left the 5th Battalion of I.Y. with 28 dead and 34 wounded. The worst disgrace happened however near Tweebosch on the 7th of March 1902. The column under direct control of Methuen (who was wounded and captured by De la Rey) was attacked by 2000 Boers with artillery they had captured at Yzerspruit. The colonial mounted troops panicked and fled, for the most part sweeping the yeoman with them. The 86th Company had the sad distinction of fleeing 3 miles without firing a shot. The regular troops left with the convoy had no chance and the casualties were huge with 68 dead, 121 wounded and over 600 men taken prisoner. It was for these disasters, and not the huge good work that the majority of the yeoman achieved, that the second contingent became known as ‘De Wets’ own’. There were tales of true grit and heroism within the span of the new yeomanry, including those portrayed by Taylor and Coates at Blaauwater. There were countless actions both large and small in which they performed heroically in the best traditions of the army to which they had volunteered and not all commanders had low opinions of these men. By the signing of the peace treaty on the 31st of May 1902 the third contingent had begun to arrive, the 27th to 32nd Battalions arriving at the Cape just days prior to this event and as such ‘squeezing’ a medal which was denied to the men of the 33rd to 39th Battalions who arrived shortly afterwards. The third contingent was a better trained force which had been in barracks for months before sailing to South Africa. They stayed in the country long into 1903 to help in the stabilization process. Though not always a success, the experiment of the I.Y. in South Africa did teach the Government and Army valuable lessons. It had showed that volunteers could serve alongside regulars with few problems, a lesson that proved vitally important just over a decade later when a new threat arose. In that conflict the problems that had arisen with the I.Y. were foreseen and a huge volunteer force left the UK to fight overseas.

2754 Trp John William Gleave 22nd Cheshire Coy Imperial Yeomanry John William Gleave, was born in St Asaph around 1878/80. He lived at ` Mount Pleasant` on Mount Road. He was a painter and decorator by trade, he served a 4 year apprentiship with Mr Peacock of St George. On the 18th February 1901, John travelled to Chester and enlisted in the 22nd Cheshire Company of the Imperial Yeomanry, part of the 2nd Battalion of the Imperial Yeomanry, his age on enlistment is give as 20 years and 3 months. His papers described him as 5`4 1/4” tall, with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and dark brown hair. Religion Church of England. On the 27th January 1901, he embarked for South Africa, arriving on the 5th April 1901 and serving there till the 27th September 1901. John was discharged from the Army on the 23rd November 1901 at Shornecliffe Barracks as being unfit for further service. He is entitled to the Queen’s South Africa with 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State and South Africa 1901. John died aged 56 years of age, on the 30th December 1932 and is buried in Mount Road Cemetery, along with his Wife Hannah Gleaves aged 61 10th May 1941, and son John William Gleaves aged 66, 30th January 1980. Does anyone have an interest in Yeomanry Units, during the Boer War, who could give me an information on the Cheshire Yeomanrys role in the war. Are there any books on the subject?

Peter `Yorkie` Crossland Victor Two P61 Blood money was standard SAS issue and consisted of gold sovereigns and what was called a blood chit- a document in English, Arabic and Farsi which promised the sum of ?5000 to anyone aiding a British soldier. Each blood chit carried a unique serial that could be checked against a person’s name. I don’t recall anyone ever using his blood chit, but the gold was different. On some occasions the sovereigns were regulated and each soldier had to sign for them: but other times they were just given a fistful of gold and told to get on with it. In fairness, some of the guys did genuinely use the money to buy vehicles to aid escape, and in battle equipment does get lost. But a lot of the gold did not turn up again at the end of the war, since the accountability was poor many of the guys still have their sovereigns. Good luck to them, I say.………….The fifteen gold sovereigns with which I was issued, I stuck to black masking tape. Next I cut the lining of my trousers and threaded the tape into my waistband.

Hi Paul, Cheers for the reply. I`ve been able to discover how he died, and have obtained a copy of the newspaper article relating to it, but when I asked a research to obtain his papers for me, he claimed he couldn`t trace an Officer of that name? His name was PC Daniels, he died in about 1897ish, I think off the top of my head. He died on duty whilst effecting an arrest, he choked to death on his own false teeth. Also of interest he served in J Div during the Ripper killings!!!!!! Gordon. :food-smiley-004:

Hi, Can anyone tell me whether the service papers for Met Bobbies killed on duty during the Victorian Period survive? Gordon.

Andy McNab Bravo Two Zero P198/199 Around my waist, however,, on a one inch webbing belt, was today’s star prize, about ?1,700 in sterling, in the form of twenty gold sovereigns we had each been given as escape money. I had fixed my coins to the belt with masking tape and this created a drama. They jumped back, shouting what I assumed was the Iraqi for let him go, he’s going to explode! A captain arrived he couldn’t have been more than 5`2” tall but must have weighed over 13 stone. He looked like a boil egg. He was aggressive, speaking good English quickly and brusquely. What’s is the equipment you have there? He asked pointing at the masking tape. Gold I said. The word must be international as jeans or Pepsi. Why do you have gold? I pulled out the first gold sovereign and the ruperts were summoned, they then began to divide the sovereigns between themselves. They tried to look so official and solemn, as they did but it was blatantly obvious what they were up to. John Peters & John Nicols Tornado Down P107 Then the one who had punched me in the face found my money, ?1000 in gold sovereigns. He looked at it. The gold glittered back at him.

Hi, Can anyone tell me whether the M.O.D issued aircrews with Gold Sovereigns, on Op Telic, the same as they did during Op Granby? Gordon.

Has anyone any ideas, whether Military Personnel in the second Gulf war were issued with sovereigns, or indeed during Air Operations Iraq or the NATO bombing of the Former Yugoslavia? Can anyone tell me how many sovereigns WW2 personnel were issued with? Does anyone know of any other operations during which service personnel were issued with sovereigns? Was Lawrence of Arabia given any I wonder?

Behind Enemy Lines A number of gold sovereigns were issued to British Military Personnel taking part in Operation Granby as part of the Coalition Forces during the First Gulf War. Sovereigns provided by the Ministry of Defence and carried by serviceman who, it was thought, might find themselves isolated and in need of bargaining power if confronted by unfriendly forces. Several sovereigns were used during the war, mainly by RAF crews shot down over enemy territory, SAS soldiers also carried sovereigns, as part of their kit, for use whilst on patrol. But all the un captured coins were returned to the M.O.D at the conclusion of the conflict, having served their purpose. 16,289 pieces were returned during the war, by personal on completion of their missions behind enemy territory. Military personal carried twenty sovereigns each as part of their survival kit. The revived twenty-shilling gold sovereign became universally respected during the 19th centaury, thought out and beyond the British Empire. Accepted as readily in the Arab Souk as in the City of London, it was hailed as `the chief coin of the world`. During WW2 gold sovereigns were included in the survival kit of SOE agents. Mention of the coin in James Bond novels of Ian Flemming suggest that the sovereign also has its place in the world of espionage. In the Gulf War, British service personnel at risk of being stranded behind enemy lines were issued with twenty sovereigns a man to buy food, shelter and safe conduct. The Sovereign is struck in 22 carat gold and weighs 7.98 grams. It measures 22.05 mm in diameter.

:violent-smiley-017: I believe that the new OSM has a clasp Afganistan for this campaign. Is this to be the norm for the new OSM? I was under the impression that a new ribbon would be asigned to each campaign? I also hear that theres a NATO medal for this campaign as well. Do British soldiers get two medals for this tour?

Hi, Can anyone tell me, about Boer War Service papers to casualties, I was of the impression that no casualty papers existed for Boer War deaths? But I have seen a SA medal for sale to a soldier who died of disease with 4 pages of papers. Can anyone shed any light? :food-smiley-004: Gordon.

ARMY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT. Brigade Surgeon. T. Tarrant, M.D. Was appointed S.M.O. of Pearson?s Column on its formation. After completing three field hospitals for the Column, established the Base Hospital at Herwen, and remained there till March 1879. Was then appointed S.M.O. of the Relief Column, and, taking part in its advance, was present at the battle of Gingindlovu. Mentioned in despatches. Was afterwards S.M.O. of Crealock?s Div., remaining with it in that capacity till it was broken up. On returning from Zululand was appointed S.M.O. of the camp and convalescent station at Pine Town. Surgeon-Major. Ingham W.J. Was Senior Surgeon-Major in charge of the Field Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, Base of Operations Natal and Lower Tugela. Surgeon-Major. F.B. Scott, M.B. Served on the personal Staff of Lord Chelmsford, and in medical charge of the HQ Staff during the war. Was present at the battle of Ulundi. (Mentioned in despatches.) Surgeon-Major. Dudley, W.E. Arrived at Durban in March 1879, and was nominated to the 57th Regt. Was detained at Herwen Hospital to take charge during the absence of Surg.-Maj. Tarrant with the Relief Column. Received the sick from Eshowe and the wounded from Gingindlovu, remaining at Herwen until appointed M.O. of the Buffs. Subsequently acted as S.M.O. of all the forces on the Lower Tugela, and had charge of Fort Pearson Hospital. Was invalided home in July. Surgeon-Major. R.C.C. Hickson, M.D. Was in medical charge at Cape Town in Nov. 1878. Volunteered, in May 1879, for employment in the war, and proceeded vi? Durban to Newcastle to take charge of the dep?t there. Was S.M.O. of the Utrecht District till the conclusion of the war. Surgeon-Major. Fitzmaurice, J. Served in the first phase of the war with Pearson?s Column. Was present at the battle of Nyezane, and was S.M.O at Eshowe throughout the blockade. Afterwards had temporary charge of the Base Field Hospital on the Lower Tugela. Subsequently proceeded to Utrecht, and was in charge of the Base Field Hospital of the Flying Column at that station till the conclusion of the war. Surgeon-Major. J.A. Anderson, M.D. Served during the war with the Flying Column. Was present at the battle of Ulundi in command of the bearer company of the Column, and in medical charge of the detachment of Artillery and Engineers. (Mentioned in despatches.) Surgeon-Major. W.C. Gasteen, M.B. Served throughout the Zulu and Sekhukhuni campaigns as Secretary and Statistical Officer to the Surgeon-General of the Forces in the Field. CIVILIAN SURGEONS. Thrupp, J.G. Was attached to the 1st Batt. 24th Regt., and was in charge of the Staff and Dept. during the first phase of the war. Was subsequently in charge of No. 1 Field Hospital of Glyn?s Column. G.E. Twiss, M.D. Served first with Villier?s force in the operations against Mbilini?s brothers (being present at the encounter with the enemy at Emlahlanlelah), and subsequently with the H.D.G.?s and the Transvaal Field Force. Dr. Apthorp, F.W. Dr. Beresford, W.H. Dr. Broomer, J Mc W. Dr. Brannington, H.C. Dr. Bridwood, R.A. Dr. Burton, J.R. Dr. Bushby, A.R. Dr. Cheyne, W.R. Dr. Clubbe, C.P.B. Dr. Duncan, A.S. Dr. Garland, G.H. Dr. Giles, B.F. Dr. Giles, B.M. Dr. Gill, J. Dr. Gordon, S.F. Dr. Greer, T. Dr. Gubbins, C.O.F. Dr. Hare, E.H. Dr. Hartley, W.D. Dr. Hayes, T.E.D. Dr. Heath, J.L. Dr. Hebb, R.G. Dr. Hope, T.M. Dr. Illingworth, C.R. Dr. Jennings, E. Dr. Johnston, R.C. Dr. Jolly, R.W. Dr. Leslie, A. Dr. Leslie, R.B. Dr. Lewis, C.B. Dr. Linden, H.C. Dr. McCrea, J.F. Dr. Macdonald, W.C.C Dr. Mansell, E.R. Dr. Moir, J.H. Dr. Mulligan, E.J. Dr. O?Neill, J.G. Dr. Reynolds, L.M. Dr. Roberts, F.J. Dr. Roe, C. Dr. Ryley, J.R. Dr. Wilson, E.M. Dr. Woods, A.A. Dr. Wood, R.E. The above-named officer of the Medical Department and Civilian Surgeons served in the war over a very wide extent of territory, performing much arduous and important duty with the troops in the field, on the lines of communication, and at the bases. The services of those whose names only are recorded are no longer available to the compliers of this work. ARMY HOSPITAL CORPS. Lieut. of Orderlies. (Hon. Capt.) Sylvester, H.J. Served throughout the war as District Officer of Orderlies; as Actg. Adjt. and QM A.H.C. had charge of all Medical Stores in S. Africa, and was Direct Accountant to M.O. for hospital camp equipment used in the campaign. (Promoted Hon. Captain for services.) Lieut. of Orderlies. (Hon. Capt.) Gorman, L. Embarked with the S. African expeditionary force in Feb. 1879, and served on the line of communication till the conclusion of the war, and throughout the Sekhukhuni campaign. (Mentioned in despatches; honorary rank of Captain.) Lieut. of Orderlies. McGreal, F. Embarked for Natal in November 1878, and served with the Field Force and on the lines of communication throughout the war. Lieut. of Orderlies. Johnson, H. Embarked with the S. African expeditionary force in Feb. 1879, and served with the Field Force and on the lines of communication during the war. Lieut. of Orderlies. Pike, W. Embarked for Natal in Feb., 1879, in command of a detachment A.H.C. Proceeded to join Newdigate?s Div. At Landman?s Drift, taking over the equipment and stores of the Base Hospital at Ladysmith and establishing a Field Hospital at Dundee en route. On reaching HQ formed two movable field hospitals for infantry and cavalry, and sent a third to Conference Hill. Took part, in charge of four field hospitals, in the advance of the Div. into Zululand. Was present at the battle of Ulundi (horse killed at the commencement of the action). On the break-up of the Div, was strongly recommended by the S.M.O. for promotion. Supplied movable field hospitals to Baker Russell?s Column. Lieut. of Orderlies. McIntyre, D. Landed at Durban in April, and was ordered to join Crealock?s Div. Subsequently joined the Flying Column at Utrecht, and was posted at the Base Field Hospital till the whole of the troops and stores were cleared out of Zululand. At the latter end of Oct. joined the Base Field Hospital of the Transvaal Field Force at Newcastle, and remained there till the break-up of the establishment. Lieut. of Orderlies. Cox, C.A. Proceeded to Natal in Nov. 1878, and served with the Field Force and on the lines of communication throughout the war. Lieut. of Orderlies. Marshall, J.D. Lieut. of Orderlies. Horn, J. Both proceeded to Natal with detachments in Feb. 1879, and served with the Field Force and on the lines of communication till the conclusion of the war. Lieut. Horn subsequently served with the Field Force in the operations against Sekhukhuni. SURGEONS Surgeon-General.J.A. Woolfryes, M.D., C.B., C.M.G. Depy. Surg.-Gen.J.L. Holloway, C.B. Surgeon-Majors, A. Semple, M.D. W. Skeen, M.D. R.W. Jackson, C.B. A.C. Robertson, M.D. J.G. Leask, M.B. B.C. Kerr, M.D. D.F. de Hodgson, M.D. Hunt, J.H. Giraud, C.H. Wallace, J. Stafford, P.W. Boulton, E.J. J.D. Edge, M.D. Lamb, H. C.S. Wills, C.B. R.W. Hare, M.B. G. Ashton, M.B. C M?D. Cuffe, C.B. Smith, W.P. Elgee, W. D.A. Leslie, M.D. Babington, T. Stock, J.N. J. Hector, M.B. Robinson, A.B Ward, E. D. Renton, M.D. Mally, R.N. W. Johnson, M.D. H. Comerford, M.D. W.A. Jennings, M.D. Burnett, W.F. J.H. Reynolds, M.B., V.C. Murphy, R. E. Townsend, M.D. J. O?Reilly, M.B. Parkinson, R.C. S.T. Cotter, M.D. Heather, D.C.W. H. Jagoe, M.B. J. Fraser, M.D. J.H. Ussher, M.B. W. Geoghegan, M.B. Brown, A.L. Jennings, C.B. Surg.-Major (h.p.) Alcock, N. Surg.-Major (h.p.) J. Carlaw, M.D. Surgeons, Ryan, G. A.H. Stokes, M.B. Saunders, W.E. J.B. WIlson, M.D. Leake, G.D.N. J.W. O?M. Martin, M.B. Ward, E.C.R. R.V. Ash, M.B. Connolly, B.B. R. Drury, M.D. C.J.L. Busche, M.B. H.H. Stokes, M.B. J. King, M.D. M?Gann, J. Landon, A.J. Ritchie, J.L. Wallis, K.S. Lloyd, O.E.P. Harding, A. Falvey, J.J. Dowman, J.F. Cross, H.R.O. Nurse J. Wells. Royal Red Cross, Russian Red Cross.

:violent-smiley-017: :food-smiley-004: Wouldn`t have thought that it will be engraved, looks a bit cheapy and nasty to me, like the NATO/UN Medals!!!! Can UK service personal apply for it, or is it purely for US troops? cheeky

Anyone any idea what the Criteria is to qualify for the War On Terror Medal?

South Africa 1887 to 1879 I recently added to my collection a South Africa Medal with no clasp to 2313 Pte G Salmon Army Hospital Corps. This is the first Zulu War Medal, I?ve ever bought, and no very little about the period, except what I?ve read/seen concerning Rorke`s Drift and Isandhlwana. I intend to try and obtain copies of Pte Salmon?s service papers. Can anyone tell me what the success rate is regarding obtaining service papers for this period? I have discovered that the Zulu War Medal, was issued with no clasp for service in Natal between 11th January and the 1st September 1879. Has anyone any ideas what medical units were serving in Natal during this period, and where were stationed. I?m assuming that Pte Salmon served in a Field Hospital, and although involved in the campaign, never actually saw battle. I?d very much like to chat to anyone who shares an interest in the Zulu War.

God Bless America! & God bless the press oh, how we love to hate them!!!! :food-smiley-004:

That is interesting, hadn`t thought of that. But it begs the question how long is long combat experiance? Eg 5 years in Burma or sent to the western front on the 15th June 1916, wounded on the 1st July, to spend the rest of the war in UK, recovering? South Atlantic Vets or Gulf War 1 Vets? Which would count? I think you`ve put a very valid point regarding the press. Is there anyone out there that considers themselves a war vet, and whats your story, I`d very much like to hear from you.

One question that seems to beg answering is thus, What is the criteria to qualify as a Gulf War II Veteran? Do you have to have served during the operation to get rid of Saddam, or is the fact that you`ve served in Iraq during any part of the campaign enough. My arguement is that there seems to have been just as much fighting since Saddam went as it took to remove him in the first place, and looks set to go on for a great deal of time to come!! With referance to the OSM, I agree with you.

Hi, Has anyone any idea what the current state of play is, as regards medals issued for this campaign, is the OSM still being awarded? I`ve heard talk of a NATO medal with the clasp ISAF. Anyone any ideas?? I also believe that theres a heavy TA involvement out there, does this mean that there`ll be a medal that loads of TA have, but few Regular soldiers?? Now theres a thought, has there ever been another campaign where this has been the case?? BJOW.

Hi, I`ve been informed, that there is a new medal now being issued for Op Telic, has anyone got any details on it?? BJOW.

I suppose as explosives sniffer dogs, and to guard the camps.