sabrigade

A great point of contention and debate was and is the issue of campaign medals to non-white South Africans for their service and contribution in World War One. Approximately 25000 members of the South African Native Labour Corps (SANLC) saw service in France but were not awarded any medals. Approximately 2500 Bronze War Medals were only awarded to the citizens of the neighbouring territories (now Lesotho, Botswana and Swaziland) who were members of the SANLC. The non-white members of the South African Mounted Rifles (SAMR) and South African Artillery were granted and awarded the standard British campaign medals. This trio was awarded to Native Constable Van Wyk. I believe that these campaign medals awarded to South African non-whites to be very rare and have only seen this group that forms part of my collection. Van Wyk served in the German South West African campaign. Members of the SANLC deemed this policy, and I agree totally, to have been grossly unfair. They were very disappointed and resented the fact that despite their sacrifices they were not awarded any medals or even medal ribbons.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2009/post-3034-1245585083.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2009/post-3034-1245585106.jpg KHEDIVE'S 1884-6 STAR ISSUED TO A DRUMMER IN THE 3RD BN OF THE GRENADIER GUARDS SHOWING HIS REGIMENTAL NUMBER AND REGIMENTAL INITIALS William Henry Jackson was a very lively character. Jackson was also entitled to an Egypt Medal with clasp SUAKIN 1885. Unfortunately, I do not have this medal in my collection. On his discharge, after 21 years of service, it was noted under the question CHARACTER ON BEING DISCHARGED - "Indifferent,owing to drunkeness and absence".

Hi Mervyn, This is one is W/M so may even be of a softer material/metal. Many of the badges I have in my collection and specifically the SAP, show signs of severe rubbing and polishing. Obviously a matter of pride and discipline.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2009/post-3034-1245560749.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2009/post-3034-1245560405.jpg Hi Brian, Some very interesting comments and great items! I have purchased a few of the Stars here in the Sudan. The "Western" approach to medals and their value and way of wearing them is not always the same in other nations. It is sometimes more common in the Sudan to see medals turned into brooches or necklaces than to be worn on or by the suspender. I purchased an 1884-6 star in Omdurman with the Tokar clasp and also an undated version and clasp. I also have a Queen's Sudan medal where the recipient is only entitled to the Khedive Star and clasp but not the Egypt Medal. The photographs are not the best, I will try to have better ones taken. Regards, Will

White Metal Helmet Plate worn by Native Constables only. This very rare badge was worn from 1913 to 1926.

CEUX de la Somme Association Commerorative Medal and Medallion in cases of issue. Medallion is much larger as can be seen in the photograph.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2009/post-3034-1245475127.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2009/post-3034-1245474986.jpg CEUX de la SOMME ASSOCIATION MEDALLION IN CASE OF ISSUE I have not been able to find any reference to this item and I purchased it seperately a few years ago.

SOMME COMMEMORATIVE ASSOCIATION MEDAL CERTIFICATE AWARDED TO PTE STOPFORTH

ASSOCIATION LETTER THAT ACCOMPANIED PTE STOPFORTH'S MEDAL

PTE STOPFORTH'S SOMME COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL Obviously, Pte Stopforth was very proud of his medal and had his initials privately engraved.

SOMME COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL IN CASE OF ISSUE

SOMME COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL APPLICATION FORM As far as I have been able to ascertain, the Ceux de la Somme Association was based in Peronne in France and was established to commemorate and celebrate the participation of veterans in the battles for both World Wars. Applications were requested and advertised in 1965 for the commemorative medal?

STOPFORTH MEDAL GROUP : 1. BRITISH WAR MEDAL 1914-20 2. VICTORY MEDAL (South African Pattern) 3. UNOFFICIAL SOMME VETERANS MEDAL

SILVER WAR BADGE IN CASE OF ISSUE?

King's Certificate awarded to Pte Stopforth.

MEDALS, CERTIFICATES AND DOCUMENTS

No 12226 Pte Peter Anthony Stopforth; 3 SAI I purchased this group of medals on auction in the U.K. a few months ago. At the age of 24, Pte Stopforth attested in the First South African Infantry Brigade. He claimed previous service in both the Transvaal Cycle and Motor Corps and the Transvaal Scottish. He was employed as a stoker on the Railways in the former Rhodesia. Stopforth arrived in France in July 1917 and was deployed with his regiment. In December 1917 he displayed symptoms of TRENCH FEET which became a serious health issue and problem for him. The Regiment was based in Gouzeacourt in France at the time. Although there is no official supporting documentation, he was also slighly gassed at Veinport in November 1917. Trench feet/foot has been described a medical condition characterised by a tingling or itching sensation of the foot accompanied by swelling, pain and numbness. The symptoms develope after the feet become wet and stay wet for an extended period of time. Cold water aggravated the problem and trench feet became a specifically recognised problem in the trenches of World War 1. Trench feet also made the feet more prone to infection. If left untreated, it could turn into gangrene and lead to amputations. As a result of his medical condition, Stopforth was discharged as being medically unfit on 6 April 1919 after spending very long periods in hospital. He was awarded a Silver War Badge and King's Certificate for his services. His conduct was described as "VERY GOOD".

I really wish that you would restore credibilty as you refer to it by answering and replying in the spirit of a GENTLEMAN'S forum!

COLLAR BADGE

This is the Cap badge worn by this force. Very little information on the formation, history and organization of the Borough Police is available. Any knowledgable members who have information to share?

Hi Brett, I believe that Major McBride was executed by the British after the 1916 Uprising. I was once told that 5 medals were issued to former members of the Irish Brigade but I cannot remember the source. Regards, Will

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2009/post-3034-1243056494.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2009/post-3034-1243056440.jpg ANGLO-BOERE OORLOG (WAR) MEDAL AND WOUND RIBBON AWARDED TO BURGER WILLIAM WALLACE Burger William Wallace was my great-grandfather on my mother's side of the family. Born in Scotland, he emigrated to the the South African Repuclic and was a resident of Pretoria. On 13 September 1899. Major John McBride and four other prominent Irishmen offered to raise a Commando to fight against the British in the Anglo-Boer War. Im mid-September 1899, after approval had been received from the Executive of the ZAR Parliament or Volksraad, an advertisement was placed in the "Volkstem" Newspaper calling for Irish Volunteers to fight for the Boers. " A call to Irishmen to remember England's manifold infamies against their own country, and on this account to volunteer more readily to fight against a common enemy for the defences of Boer freedom. " On his medal application form, Burger Wallace claimed service from September 1899 which indicates that he possibly joined the Brigade on the strength of the advertisement. The Brigade was commanded by Colonel John Blake, an Irish-American, who had fought in the Indian Wars before travelling to the then Rhodesia and the ZAR. One of his deputies was Major John McBride who became Burger Wallace's Field Commander. The Brigade preferred to be known as the 'Avenger Corps" and received no financial or material rewards for their participation in the Boer War. Burger Wallace took part and fought at the Siege of Ladysmith, Colenso, Spioenkop and Pieters Heights. In March 1900, he was wounded during a skirmish near the Biggarsberg. While recovering from this wound, he was captured in Johannesburg on the 8th of June. He was sent to the island of Ceylon as a Prisoner of War with the POW Number of 3116. He was 45 years old at the time. He later applied for and was granted the Anglo Boer War medal and the Wound Ribbon. These awards are very scarce to member of the Irish Brigade.

Hi Brett, The King's Certificate is a seperate entity or item. This is an example of one of them. Regards, Will

Any chance of following this excellent thread up with the Irish Brigade in the Boer War and their history as a seperate post?

Hi Brett, Thanks for the info, please it is very interesting and enlightening. I have requested his file from the Military Archives as well. Regards, Will