I.G.S. - SOUTH AFRICA. 1877-8-9.

[Mervyn Mitton]

South Africa was first settled by the Dutch in the 17th. century. The British fought a short campaign in 1810 and took Capetown from them - this was mainly due to our superiority in warships. We gradually expanded out and once a way was found over the mountains this proceeded Eastwards quite quickly. British merchants were never slow to come forward and they started a scheme - with Government backing - to bring settlers from Britain to establish towns along the Coast. They became known as the ' 1820 Settlers' - although ships brought new immigrants in for many years. They were responsible for the cities of Port Elizabeth; East London; Grahamstown ( the administrative centre ) - and in fact the whole area which was to become known as the Eastern Cape.

There was one major problem - the local inhabitants already living there, were not at all happy to see them - the result was that we fought a total 9 Kaffrarian Wars in the Eastern Cape. Not all of them were full scale wars, but the locals were ferocious tribes and put-up strong opposition. We have already on this sub-forum, mentioned Moroisi's Mountain - where three V.C.'s were won. Including the Swede - Brown .

Three campaigns were fought early-on. 1834-35 ; 1846-47 and 1850-53. The Imperial General Service medal awarded in 1853 looks the same as the one I illustrate here , including the ribbon, but in the exergue has the date 1853. For the 1877-78-79 the date becomes a Zulu Shield with four spears crossed beneath. The dates 1877 and 1878 are for the Ninth Kaffrarian War and 1879 - of course, for the Anglo-Zulu War of that date. The word Kaffraria was how we called that part of the Eastern Cape - it's full title being British Kaffraria. The local tribes were known as Kaffirs - which was merely a shortening of the area name. Nowdays, it has become a serious insult and no-one would think of calling someone this.

Now - to the medal. Although it is the standard issue IGS it has several features which make-it special. Firstly - the Unit. Named to Pte.

C.H. ELTON FRONTIER ARMED AND MOUNTED POLICE. Formed in 1855 they started with 17 officers and 500 men. They were South Africa's first Police Force. They were very effective and later became the Cape Mounted Rifles.

156 medals for the Ninth Kaffrarian War were issued to the F.A.M.P. - of which 30 were returned unclaimed. This leads to the second unusual point - only 76 were issued to this unit with the bar 1877-78 - and we don't know if any of the 30 returned were for this issue.

I have included a brief history of the unit - which is very sought after.

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Brian Wolfe]

A very interesting and well written post Mervyn, and one I missed when you first posted it.

Since others seem to have missed it as well I am bringing it back "on line" for others to read.

Regards

Brian