sabrigade Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 I recently purchased this memorial plaque in South Africa. It was given to the next of kin of No 4117 Private Lesley West Dart of the 11th South African Infantry Regiment. He attested on 8 DECEMBER 1915 and died on 31 DECEMBER 1915 in the Potchefstroom Military Hospital. Dart therefore only had 23 days military service at the time of his death. The cause of death is listed as pleurisy. He was 20 years old. Dart's only medal entitlement is to the 1914-20 British War Medal. I have managed to re-unite the medal with the plaque due to the assistance and insight of a very co-operative collector in South Africa. This is the first plaque that I have seen where only the individual's initials and not full names are on the plaque. Is this unusual? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Boonzaier Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 Interesting set, 23 days must have been a bit of a record. I would have thought they would not have accepted him in the first place... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabrigade Posted March 21, 2009 Author Share Posted March 21, 2009 I think that because of the symptoms and causes of pleurisy, one of which may be a form of pneumonia, his medical condition was not picked up if the initial medical examination did actually take place when he joined at Potchefstroom. The medical examination section appears to be blank on his attestation form. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabrigade Posted March 21, 2009 Author Share Posted March 21, 2009 Extract from his file. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabrigade Posted March 25, 2009 Author Share Posted March 25, 2009 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2009/post-3034-1237973835.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2009/post-3034-1237973776.jpgThis is Dart's only medal entitlement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev in Deva Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 Fantastic find, now not only his all to brief service, but, his name will be remembered.May he + Rest In Peace +Kevin in Deva. :beer: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabrigade Posted March 25, 2009 Author Share Posted March 25, 2009 As an old soldier, thank you for the reply. This is his headstone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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