sabrigade

Hi Bob, Thank you for the detailed posting. Are there any indications as to what the award criteria were? I wonder how many were awarded? Regards, Will

Thank you for the excellent feedback, I will start my research from here! Regards, Will

The King's Certificate of discharge This certificate was awarded under the auspices of Army Orders 138 and 139 in May 1918. Rose was discharged in 1916 and, by looking at the War service stripes on the tunic, would have been entitled to a 1914-15 star. Any details regarding his service would be appreciated.

More tunic detail

I recently purchased this tunic which is attributed to A220 Corporal Edwin Claude Rose of the British South Africa Police. He was a member of the Southern Rhodesia Column.

Thanks Brett, Any chance of copies of the Medal Society and Nongqai articles? Regards, Will

Thanks Thomas and Brett, Are there any other references/sources available on the Bodyguard besides Trew's Book? Regards, Will

ABO MEDAL APPLICATION FORM

CORPORAL E.A. VENTER, L/SGT VENTER'S FATHER'S MEDAL

PARADE AND CONFIRMATION OF POLICE LONG SERVICE MEDAL PRESENTATION

SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE MEDAL ENTITLEMENT DOCUMENT

1937 CORONATION MEDAL DOCUMENT

VENTER'S COMPLETE MEDAL GROUP

1914-15 STAR CERTIFICATE

NAMED 1914-15 STAR

At the outbreak of the First World War, the Union of South Africa agreed to occupy German South West Africa for the Imperial Authorities. The task was to be undertaken under the personal command of General Louis Botha, then Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa. General Botha requested that his bodyguard be formed from members of the South African Police. Initially, 50 mounted policemen were selected from the various police districts within South Africa. Unfortunately, before the campaign against the Germans could be initiated, an internal rebellion had to be suppressed in 1914. In this rebellion, many of Botha's former erstwhile comrades in arms from the Anglo-Boer War rose against him. Their number included General and Senior Officers from the then fledgling Union Defense Force. The Bodyguard had seen heavy and bitter fighting at Winburg and Nooitgedacht where one of its members was killed in action. After the Rebellion, the decision was made to increase the Bodyguard to approximately 100 members. This force consisted of approximately 50% English and 50% Afrikaans (Dutch) speakers. Police General Orders listed a total of 119 members who had been members of the Bodyguard during various periods. Of the 119 members listed, 3 were officers. No 4322 Constable H.S. Venter was seconded to the Bodyguard from 12 October 1914 until 31 December 1914 as a member of the South African Police. Venter therefore took part in the internal "Rebellion" operations in South Africa. From 13 January to 14 August 1915, he was seconded to the Union Defense Force for the duration of the German South West African Campaign. Venter had been a constable in the Heidelberg District of the Transvaal, known as the 37th District, before joining the Bodyguard. The Bodyguard embarked from Cape Town to Walvis Bay on 5 February 1915. They were on the "Galway Castle". The campaign was successfully concluded and the Force returned to South Africa. For his World War One service, Constable Venter was awarded the 1914-15 star, the 1914-20 British War Medal and the Victory Medal. The 1914-15 star was dispatched to him on 29 January 1921 and the other two campaign medals on 30 October 1922. Venter continued his service with the South African Police and received other medals. I am still continuing with my research on Venter as well as into this fascinating elite South African Police unit that served with distinction during World War One. I also have the Anglo Boer War Medal to his father, Corporal E.A. Venter.

Hi Brian, I have tried the military tailors in Khartoum and they unfortunately have no ribbons. Any ribbon woudl be of assistance, also PM me with any requirements you may have. Regards, Will

Hi Brian, Any chance of posting photographs of the Police medals? I also have the four medals but ribbons are a major problem to obtain, any advice would be appreciated. Regards, Will

Hi Owain, I am in Khartoum for a day or so and then again move off for field visits. Can you send the details as we discussed telephonically? I will try find out the recipients name of the medals from the grandson, the medals are unfortunately unnamed. Regards, Will

OBVERSE OF THE MEDALS

I purchased these medals yesterday from an old Sudanese gentleman who said that they were awarded to his grandfather. The medal on the left is the Sudan General Service medal which was issued in 1933. I am not sure what the medal on the right was awarded for, it appears to be General Gordon mounted on a camel? Regards, Will

CAPTAIN PEPPER WITH PERISCOPE IN LEATHER CASE

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2010/post-3034-128497791416.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2010/post-3034-128497792435.jpg This is a MK9 R.J. Beck periscope in its leather case that I have in my collection.. The uniform belonged to the Staff Captain of the 1st South African Infantry Brigade in France.

Hi Chris, I have been working on his story for a while now, specifically with regard to the rebellion and Beyers role and the final action that cost him his life. I have been using the contemporary newspapers of the time as sources and have found some very valuable information. They provide a lot of the tactical details and timings that the well known references tend to forget or ignore. Regards, Will

Thnks Brett, It is a very strange but unique item. Regards, Will