Brett Hendey

summers This is a relatively rare combination of medals, but it will take a list of the South African recipients of the SWB coming to light to identify the man with certainty. Failing that, as a starting point, it might be helpful to know the identity of the clasps on the QSA. Even then, an assumption will be necessary to narrow down possibilities (i.e. the QSA/KSA were awarded to a Colonial, rather than Imperial soldier). The QSA/KSA/Natal Rebellion combinations suggests a man from Natal, but there were some men from the Cape and Transvaal who also had these three medals. Shown below is the photo of a similar medal grouping that belonged to a part-time (i.e. "Auxiliary") soldier from Natal. Regards Brett

I remember being told that the South African ACE's were minted locally, but I cannot confirm it. Apart from the ACE, there were plenty of other WWII service medals awarded to South Africans, so a set of duplicate dies may well have been provided for this purpose. The same might also have applied to Canada, Australia, New Zealand and India. If the Royal Mint did indeed supply duplicate dies, the medals struck from them would have been indistinguishable from the British ones. I think it is odd that the South African ACE, if it is indeed such, was given a brassy finish. Perhaps this was to highlight its rarity. I am sure that Will (sabrigade) and other experts on South African medals will have the right answers to these suppositions and suggestions. Brett

I should have mentioned that ACE Stars to South Africans are rare and issued ones are easily distinguished because they are named. The unnamed South African minted ACE's in circulation must have been 'liberated from stores' at some time. They probably do not fetch the high prices fetched by the all-unnamed British ones. Brett

Brian Thank you for a very interesting post. Because my collecting focus was elsewhere, I often gave up chances to buy Queen's chocolate tins, something I now regret. They are interesting relics of the Boer War and their content after chocolate (e.g. medals, letters) has sometimes turned them into miniature treasure chests. Regards Brett

It may be a South African issue medal. I have a similar one in my collection. Regards Brett

Here are the medals of the man I mentioned in my previous post - C301891 Cpl Charlie Solomon. Calvert would have had a similar group. Brett

Timo The 'C' prefix means that the man was a Coloured (i.e. mixed race) in South African terminology. It is likely that he was enlisted in the Cape Corps. Since Colonel 'Rosie' du Toit had worn Calvert's 39/45 and Africa Stars, Calvert was on active service in East and/or North Africa, but in a non-combat capacity. (I have a Cape Corps medal group belonging to a man who was a cook seconded to 40 Squadron, SA Air Force, in North Africa, and to 41 Harbour Construction Company, SA Engineers, in Italy.) Calvert's service papers are in Pretoria and can be copied using the services of a local researcher. GMIC member 'aud' is one such researcher. Regards Brett

Timo I have not come across a 'name only' South African WWII medal, but I can tell you that Merchant Navy medals had a 'MN' prefix to the number. Regards Brett

I should add that during World War II all South African artillery regiments were amalgamated as the South African Artillery. Brett

A book on the military badges of South Africa by Colin Owen lists it as No. 524 and describes it as follows: "Natal Field Artillery, cap badge worn in gilding metal from 1902 - 1939 and 1946 - 1960. Also worn in bronze by Officers and W.O.'s only, 1937 - 1967." Brett

Timo Service papers are held by the S A Military Archives in Pretoria and are best copied by a professional researcher. One such person who is a member of this forum (aud) is Audrey Portman at rhino.research@icon.co.za. Regards Brett

I agree with Chris' comments. The story I have heard is that some McKenzie family members had not been consulted about the sale and the subsequent disagreement in the family led to the withdrawal. The plan is to have all the items preserved and perhaps displayed at the school where some or all of the McKenzie men were educated. Given the situation in South Africa, the management and complexion of this school will change, so the relics of the man who engineered victory in the 1906 Natal Rebellion may again be looking for a new home. Brett

All the McKenzie items have been withdrawn from the sale. No explanation was given. Brett

Will I remember this suitcase. It is a unique relic of a great soldier. I hope you manage to add more McKenzie relics to your collection. That is now the best home for them. Regards Brett

I echo everything that Chris wrote! Paul, thank you for showing a really extraordinary medal. Regards Brett

Thank you for the link, John. I had forgotten about the Japanese. I remember reading that some of the most brutal men guarding British and Australian POW's were not only Japanese, but Koreans as well. Regards Brett

John Thank you for these interesting posts. I have always admired American medals, but never collected them. I was amazed by the US POW statistics for the Korean War. Surely that death rate must be unequalled by any other conflict. Regards Brett

These two men who died young from the effects of war service may not have an official memorial, but the fact that they have been remembered on this forum means they are not forgotten. Thanks to both Pauls for sharing their records. Regards Brett

Mike The Lancashire & Yorkshire Contingent was a locally-raised group of volunteers, presumably with strong links to the counties in its name. The Imperial regiments garrisoned at Fort Napier in Pietermaritzburg immediately before, during and after 1906 were the 1st Royal Garrison Regiment, 2nd Cameron Highlanders, and 3rd Royal Warwickshire Regiment. They took no part in putting down the Rebellion. Shown below is the medal group of a man who served in Natal with the Royal Garrison Regiment. He had served previously with the 1st Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) in Egypt and other parts of the Empire before settling in Natal. He went on to serve in the S A Medical Corps during WWI. Regards Brett

Another photograph of Sir Duncan McKenzie:

Well done! You have kept this man's memorial intact and, hopefully, it will now stay that way. Regards Brett

Yes indeed, Paul! Regards Brett

Mervyn You are right about the street name change. It is a pity that South Africa did not follow the example of Singapore, where the past (warts and all) is remembered and built upon. I hope that the medal group and other decorations are re-united by a single buyer, so the entire collections of awards is kept together. It would have been far better if this sale had been handled by an experienced medal auction house, where the significance of award entitlements is understood. Regards Brett

Will Thank you for showing a great and very rare medal group. One of my collecting themes has been 'medals to other races' in a South African context and I have found their representation to be very variable indeed, ranging from nothing to fair. Peter It is my impression that, unlike the British, the Germans were very firm Colonial masters, so subjects who stepped out of line were unlikely to repeat their transgressions. I do not have the details to hand, but apparently a rebellion in GSWA in the early 1900's was brutally put down. I expect that, if Constable Hanns behaved himself and kept a low profile, he would not have been ill-treated. Regards Brett

As Mervyn has already mentioned, the 1906 Natal Rebellion was put down by Colonial troops with no help from the Mother Country. Not being in charge did not suit everyone in Britain and the actions of the Colonists in managing their affairs upset even Winston Churchill, amongst others. He referred to Natal as "that hooligan Colony", harsh words indeed from the great man. In spite of the criticism, Duncan McKenzie did his duty and successfully put down the Rebellion. He deserves to be judged by the standards of the times and place he lived, not by any others. He certainly does not deserve the disrespect he has been shown in his home country. It is a matter of regret that McKenzie's relics are not preserved intact in a local museum as part of the history of what was once the Colony of Natal. Brett