sabrigade

Document confirming that medals will be sent.

Letter confirming memorial plaque related documentation.

The group mounted for display with some other medal groups.

Military Medal

On 15 July 1916, Hollingbery’s company entered Delville Wood and spread out to consolidate and occupy the eastern and north-eastern edges of the wood. A lookout climbed a tree and saw some Germans with a machine gun close by. The Company commander, Captain Tomlinson, then decided to attack the trenches as his men were experiencing casualties. A small fighting section then rushed the trench. There were more Germans than expected in the trench so reinforcements from B Company assisted in the assault. They killed 32 Germans and captured 2 officers with 70 enlisted men and a machine gun. Heavy fire was experienced and only the 2 German officers and 35 men reached the South African trenches safely. I know quote from Mr Ian Uys’s book “Delville Wood”: “Members of Tomlinson’s party acted with the utmost gallantry. Company-Sgt-Major J. Bryant personally shot two of the enemy machine-gunners. Lance-Corporal O. Chapman rendered splendid service as a sniper. Shapcott was the soul of the enterprise. During the bombing raid he was fearless and dashing and continued to fight after being wounded through the right elbow. Shapcott was ably supported by Sgt W. S. McDonald who was himself seriously wounded in the chest. Private W. Hollingbery threw his bombs superbly until he was dangerously wounded in the abdomen. He was to die of his wound on 31 July. The following decorations were awarded to members of the raiding party: Capt Tomlinson – DSO; Sergeant McDonald – MM; L/Cpl Shapcott – DCM; Pte Hollingbery – MM”

No 5726 Private William Hollingbery, attested in the First South African Infantry Brigade on the 12th of September 1915. He joined D Company of the 3rd South African Infantry. The 3rd South African Infantry was formed from members from the then Transvaal and Rhodesia. Hollingberry was 25 years old when he attested and he was a baker by trade. His next of kin was his mother, Mrs Grace Hollingbery, and she resided in Essex, England. After taking part in the Senussi campaign, Hollingbery then entered the Western Front with the rest of the South African Infantry Brigade. On Saturday, 15 July 1916 the Brigade entered Delville Wood. Private Hollingbery received a gunshot wound to his abdomen and he succumbed to his wound on 31 July 1916 after becoming dangerously ill on 22 July 1916. He died in Abbeville.

Definitely not an expert on this but I believe the first marking to be to the "Cape Police District 2" and the second to be the "Cape Government". I concur with Chris, please post more photographs!

Thank you all for the positive responses. I have expanded the number of showcases and displays and will continue to do that over December when I am at home again. I will post more photographs soon. Regards, Will

Any update on this? I also heard about the Transvaal Scottish a few weeks back. Sad news indeed.

I think this badge design is very special and definitely has provenance. Given the very limited number of successfull escapes by Boer P.O.W.'s in the Boer War this was a very momentous event and the escapers even had an audience with President Paul Kruger on their way back from Russia. I am sure the one that was on display in Pretoria was a silver one-off version and belonged to the unit commander, hence its provenance during the centenary of the Anglo-Boer War display. These badges are very scarce and seldom appear as is information on the unit.

According to Owen's book, this badge is listed as the Karoo Skutters solid center brass badge and was worn by Other Ranks from 1914 to 1929 (Owen 1755). The unit appears to have existed from 1913 to 1929 and served in the Southern area of German South West Africa in 1915. The Karroo Skutters were also known as the 14th Dismounted Rifles. Other information that I have found indicates that this badge may have been worn by the Karkloof Skutters or Rifles but I have not been able to find out much about them. The motto "NON SIBI SID" "PATRIAL" means "Not For Self But For Country". I also believe that the badge was designed by one of the five Boer prisoners who escaped from the ship "THE CATOLINA" in Columbia harbour on 13 January 1901. They were known as the "five swimmers" and swam to a Russian steamer KERSON where they made their escape.The five were a Steyn, Botha, Haussner and the two Steytler brothers. This feat is depicted on the badge design. Steyn was an officer in General Smuts's staff in the Anglo-Boer War and he may have commanded the unit during the GSWA campaign. Does anybody have more details/opinions? Regards, Will

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-3034-0-56169400-1351322873.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-3034-0-89272200-1351322887.jpg

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http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-3034-0-85619100-1351321972.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-3034-0-11627800-1351322080.jpg Collar details

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-3034-0-31455500-1351321579.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-3034-0-87875700-1351321707.jpg Tinic details.

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http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-3034-0-78685300-1351320885.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-3034-0-41277700-1351320906.jpg Busby liner and manufacturer details.

Busby details.

I am happy to be of assistance. Slightly off topic, this is the Martingale badge that was used by the South African Mounted Rifles.

Hi Rodian, I am currently not in SA so will ask my "boss" to assist. Thanks Chris!

I hope this is of assistance. I am by no means an expert or specialist in this field and any comments would be appreciated. Regards, Will

Major Wolmarans went on to be awarded the DTD and DSO for his services in the Anglo-Boer War and World War One respectively. This photograph was taken when he was a Lieutenant.