5 Family Members on One Board

[Mervyn Mitton]

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I found this to be a very interesting set of medals. Covering a period from the Boer War (1899-1902) to

the South African Border Wars in the 1970's.

From top left :

120 Pte. J.E.Thomas New England Mounted Rifles. These were based in New England - a small town in

the Berkely East District of the Eastern Cape. They were only 160 in strength, however, with Boer attacks

in the area they suffered a number of casualties. I found a post from QSA Mike under Google - he has a

member of the same unit but, with 5 bars. To answer the question you posed Mike, I think he transferred.

Next :

A Victory Medal only - however, the ribbon bar is present , showing he had a War Medal and from WW2

an Africa Service Medal. This is probably a son-in-law.

Next:

A Red Cross Medal - For Efficiency in Mining. An unusual medal - possibly an Uncle.

Next:

The Pro Patria Medal - with the Cunene Clasp for Cross Border Service. With the bar it is quite rare.

South Africa was defending South West Africa (now Namibia) against Angola and Cuba - who were

being supported by Russian Communist aid. Small point of interest - it is believed that AIDS started

in Angola - possibly from a Cuban troop eating a Green Monkey - the sickness is endemic to them.

This was issued to the great grandson of J.E.Thomas.

Next:

The 2nd WW Group to 214772 E.P.Thomas. I think the Grandson. The group consists of the 39/45 Star,

Africa Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, Africa Medal.

Not very often that you have such diversity in one set of medals.

[Mervyn Mitton]

The reverses

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-6209-0-00512900-1349882881.jpgclick

[Mervyn Mitton]

Reverse of Red Cross

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-6209-0-03430600-1349883113.jpgclick

[Mervyn Mitton]

Reverse of Bi-lingual (English and Afrikaans) Victory Medal

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-6209-0-73126100-1349883257.jpgclick

[Mervyn Mitton]

Reverse of the Pro Patria Medal

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-6209-0-47526400-1349883427.jpgclick

[Mervyn Mitton]

Reverses of the three 2nd WW Stars

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-6209-0-34877600-1349883573.jpgclick