Brett Hendey

In my limited experience, the 1914/15 Star issued to South Africans for service in German South West Africa was issued first and is often found as a singleton. The War and Victory Medals were issued later, sometimes to accompany a 14/15 Star, but often as the only entitlement for service in German East Africa and/or Europe. <BR><BR>I have been told that during the silver price boom many War Medals ended up in the melting pot and are thus missing from pairs and trios. <BR><BR>Brett

One of the results of having a large population of well-armed criminals is that South Africa has a high murder rate. The Pietermaritzburg newspaper, 'Weekend Witness', recently published some interesting statistics comparing England & Wales (E&W) with South Africa (SA). The figures are directly comparable since E&W had a population of 53 million in 2009, while SA had a population of 49 million in 2008, when the statistics were compiled. The SA figures probably exclude the hordes of Mocambiqueans,Zimbabweans, Congolese, Nigerians, Somalis etc who have settled in SA, so there may actually be an insignificant difference in the total populations. MURDERS: SA - 18 148 E&W - 651 By the way, Statistics South Africa includes gunshot deaths in "exposure to inanimate mechanical forces", of which there were 5 647 in 2008, 98% of which were actually gunshot deaths. The number has probably increased considerably since then, because the SA Police now have a very liberal "shoot to kill" policy. The crime statistics, coupled with those of road traffic accidents and disease lead to the inescapable conclusion that one has a far better chance of reaching old age in E&W than in SA. Brett

To the SAP total of lost weapons must be added the 82 000 lost by the South African National Defence Force, which is almost 20% of its armoury. A recent newspaper report stated that in 2005 "the SANDF reported that 23% of the troops were HIV-positive and that deafness and clinical obesity each claimed another quarter of the army muster". Given such medical frailty in the SANDF, a high proportion of the force has no need for weapons, hence passing them on to criminals who do need them. Brett

I am sure that most Rhodesians and Zimbabweans who have now settled elsewhere in the world will agree that Rhodesia was a success for 80 years, while Zimbabwe failed after 10. Brett

Bob <BR>Although my collecting is focussed on medals (including Korean War medals), I like to collect associated materials (photos, paper, badges etc), which is why I found your display so appealing. However, I agree. The ' extras' add to the cost of collecting (and complicate storage). <BR>Regards Brett

Perhaps it was an economy measure. It must have been more complicated and expensive to produce the symbol on lengths of ribbon. Regards Brett PS I admired your display.

Will I will ask someone in Pietermaritzburg to photograph the page in the PMB Archives copy of The Nongqai. Regards Brett

Hi William An excellent medal group! Thank you for showing it. I have similar combinations in my collection, but all WWI medals are named to the 2nd or 3rd S A Mounted Rifles (i.e. for service in German SWA, not Europe). Francis Charles Mackay enlisted in the Natal Police on 6/10/1894. This was a few months after Natal became a self-governing Colony and the Natal Mounted Police, Water Police, Prisons and some other law-enforcement agencies were amalgamated to become the Natal Police. The NP Enlistment Register in the Pietermaritzburg Repository of the S A National Archives will probably list his next-of-kin and home address. The QSA medal roll lists his clasp entitlement as Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith and South Africa 1901. The clasp Natal is also listed, but this is clearly an error. It is not impossible that he was indeed entitled to the Orange Free State clasp, but I think the South Africa 1902 is unlikely. There is a strange anomaly concerning the award of date clasps to the Natal Police. Those men who had served during the first year of the war (October 1899-October 1900) were awarded either the Natal clasp (no active service) or battle bars (Talana, Defence of Ladysmith, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith and Belfast for relevant active service). The state clasps Transvaal and Orange Free State, particularly the latter, are less common awards, since Natal Policemen could serve outside of Natal only with special permission. Those men still enlisted in 1901 received a late issue South Africa 1901 clasp (often missing on ribbon). All that is fairly straight forward, but the anomaly arose with men who enlisted after the qualification period for the Natal and battle clasps was over. They were awarded both date clasps, whereas the men with Natal or battle clasps were deemed to be entitled only to the South Africa 1901 clasp. Just to add to the confusion, a few men whose names were omitted from the first roll were added to the roll of the new recruits and they were awarded both date clasps. Mackay was not one of this lucky group. This is a good example of military intelligence at work. (There is similar confusion with the award of the KSA to Natal Policemen, but that is not relevant here.) The Tugela Heights and Relief of Ladysmith clasps indicate that Mackay was part the the Natal Police Field Force in this theatre of the war. He might also have served in General Buller's Bodyguard, but his name is not on the (probably incomplete) list of men who are known to have served on the Bodyguard. Mackay's Boer War service can probably be sorted out by a careful search of the Natal Police Headquarter's Order Books for 1899-1902. This will be a tedious job. The index of the Natal Police magazine, The Nongqai, Volume III (1910-1913), records that there is a picture of Mackay on page 768. Mackay died in 1941 and the Pietermaritzburg Archives has his death notice. His wife's name was Amy and it looks as though she died in 1949. Regards Brett

Mervyn Morris' book is a 'classic' and like all classics it is a good starting point for a researcher or enthusiast. It has, however, taken the film 'Zulu' and more popular books on the Zulu War to arouse widespread interest in this conflict, so less scholarly efforts should not be dismissed out of hand. Apart from the popular accounts of the war, there have been many serious studies published as well, so there is no shortage of material to occupy people with a developing interest in the Zulu War. Regards Brett

Hi Hebbo I have an unexplainable interest in the 1897 Jubilee, so I jumped to your post and I wasn't disappointed. A very interesting and very rare medal and one to treasure. Thank you for posting it. Regards Brett

Chris Have you tried asking for help from Die Oorlogsmuseum attached to the Vrouemonument in Bloemfontein. I was once told that the best archive of the Boer involvement in the war is housed in this museum. Regards Brett

Chris is correct, this is the only British campaign medal not awarded to any British troops. Since the Natal Police were in effect a paramilitary force, they were heavily involved in the 1906 Rebellion. In fact, both phases of the Rebellion were set off by clashes between the NP and Zulus. As Darrell has mentioned, the first was at Richmond in southern Natal, where there were NP casualties. This was followed with the execution by firing squad of the Zulus involved, which further stirred up resentment amongst the Zulus (and the British government). The second phase in Zululand followed the ambush at Mpanza by the Zulus of a NP escort of civilians being evacuated from the Natal/Zululand border, which resulted in further NP casualties. Regards Brett

Mervyn's recent posting of a Papua and New Guinea axe reminded me of an artefact in my Stone Age collection. It is from the same general region, this one is from the Kimberley Range in Western Australia. It is a "stone age" artefact made by Aboriginals from modern green bottle glass. Such items are fairly common in museums around the world, including Helen's one in Oxford. My example is not as fine as those in museums, notably the Australian Museum in Sydney, which are shown on the webside www.donsmaps.com/kimberleypoints, but it is perhaps my favourite Stone Age artefact. There are, of course, many websites and, no doubt, many printed publications describing and illustrating glass points. I obtained my specimen from an American friend, 'Sarge' Smith of Norwalk, Ohio, in the early 1950's. He in turn had bought it from an auction house in Britain. The packet in which it resides is labelled as follows: Arunda glass point Kimberley Range West Australia. Collected by Dr. Davidson 1927 Regards Brett

This is an amazing thread - very interesting, informative and moving. My compliments to Leigh and all who have contributed to it, especially the men who were there at the time. This is how all military history should be recorded. Regards Brett

PM sent <P></P>

Chris The following are the W J Viljoens on the ABO Roll: Wilhelm Johan - Gen P Cronje Willem Jacobus - Krugersdorp Willem Jacobus - Standerton Regards Brett

The 'Medal Yearbook' published by Token describes the significance of the colours used in the ribbons of WWII service medals. Dark blue, red and light blue represent the navy, army and air force and are usually in that order (i.e senior service to the most junior one). The ribbons are as follows: 39/45 Star - Equal stripes of dark blue, red and light blue representing the three services, Atlantic Star - Blue, white and green representing the ocean. Air Crew Europe Star - Pale blue (the sky), with black edges (night flying), with narrow yellow stripes (enemy searchlights). Africa Star - Pale buff (sand of the desert), with narrow dark blue and light blue stripes with a central broad red one representing the dominant role of the army. Pacific Star - Dark green (the jungle), with central yellow stripe (the beaches), flanked by narrow dark blue (navy) and light blue (air force), with wider red stripes (army) at the edges. Burma Star - Three equal bands of dark blue (British forces), red (Commonwealth forces) and dark blue. The dark blue bands each have a central stripe of bright orange (the sun). Italy Star - Five equal stripes of red, white, green, white and red representing the national colours of Italy. France and Germany Star - Five equal stripes of blue, white, red, white and blue representing the national colours of the UK, France and the Netherlands. Defence Medal - Two broad green stripes (the green and pleasant land), with narrow stripes of black (the blackout) and a central wide orange stripe (fire-bombing). War Medal - Red, white and blue stripes representing the UK. The MYB states, "The ribbons are believed to have been designed by King George VI personally and have symbolic significance in each case." This probably doesn't apply to the service medals issued by Commonwealth countries. Regards Brett

I think the medal group is even better than you have indicated, because the 1887 Jubilee medal has the clasp for the 1897 Jubilee as well. The man to whom the medals were awarded must be researchable. Perhaps someone else can suggest the best way get the research started. Regards Brett

James A very commendable project. Regards Brett

Very interesting pictures, Mervyn. Thank you for posting them. Regards Brett

Hi Norman The MMSSA died a slow death a few years ago. A pity, because there were some interesting items published in its newsletter and journal. Regards Brett

Will I will make copies for you, but they wont add much to your knowledge. When the copy of 'The Nongqai' is returned, I will check it for other Bodyguard entries. Regards Brett

The following is a record of the men in No. 2 Squadron, South African Air Force who were awarded Korean medals: ULCHI WITH SILVER STAR Colonel R F Armstrong ULCHI Commandant J P D Blaauw Colonel (Chaplain) M D V Cloete Commandant D J Hamman Colonel SvB Theron Colonel M U Uys Captain J S R Wells CHUNGMU WITH GOLD STAR Major H J P Burger Commandant R A Clifton Major J P La Grange Major R H D Rogers Major B A A Wiggett CHUNGMU WITH SILVER STAR Major S N Brace Captain J de Wet Major L P T Eager Captain D J Earp Major W G A Rogotta Major M Strydom WARANG WITH GOLD STAR Lieutenant G G du Plessis Warrant Officer (2) H L Minnaar WARANG WITH SILVER STAR Warrant Officer (2) W P B Botha Air Sergeant A J A Templeman TALGUK WITH GOLD STAR To the unknown airman Regards Brett

Will In my file on Bezuidenhout, I have added photocopied pages from: The Nongqai - 1915, pages 103, 104. (Someone has borrowed my copy of this volume of 'The Nongqai', so I will get the full reference later.) Gallantry Awards of the South African Police 1913-1994 by Terence King - Page 29 0n naming of police medals. Example of CinC's Bodyguard given. Pages 241-244 Chapter on Bodyguard. Military Medal Society of SA - Newsletter 287. Article on a Bodyguard's medal group. Regards Brett

Will Another great addition to your collection. Congratulations. I have a WWI trio and Police Good Service Medal (2nd type) named to Constable (later Lance Sergeant) J I P Bezuidenhout of the Commander in Chief's Bodyguard. Regards Brett