An unusually named medal to the GOC Bodyguard, GSWA

[sabrigade]

This group is a fairly recent acquisition and I have started the detailed research process regarding the recipient.

I am in the middle of Mogadishu so access to internet is not guaranteed (to put it mildly).

Regards,

Will

[sabrigade]

ABO to Burger Pretorius.

Initial research has indicated that he was a member of the Krugersdorp Commando (Wyk or District No 1) under the famous Boer General De la Rey.

[sabrigade]

The 1914-15 star awarded to Constable Pretorius.

He is a confirmed member of the GOC's Bodyguard.

[sabrigade]

Unusual engraving on the WW1 Victory Medal?

Does anybody know the actual individual meanings of the letters which appear to be in Dutch?

Regards,

Will

[Brett Hendey]

Hi Will

The Bodyguard trio I my collection has the War and Victory Medals inscribed "B/.O.L.", which I have assumed stood for "Bevelvoorende Officier Lyfwacht", or something similar. Perhaps your "K.I.C.L.W." is "Commander in Chief's Bodyguard" (i.e. "Kommandant in Chief Lyf Wacht") made up by a not-fully-bilingual public servant.

Regards

Brett

[sabrigade]

Hi Brett,

It is very strange, my other group to the Bodyguard is also named very differently and I think in English if I remember correctly.

Regards,

Will

[Chris Boonzaier]

Soccer player?

Kaiser in Chiefs, Left Wing ? ;-)

[gavinmedals]

Hi Chris, good one

William, i have not seen this before and am scouring through some references. One thing though is if the abbreviation is in Dutch / Afrikaans then the "C" would be a strange one.

Cheers

Gavin

[Chris Boonzaier]

I think there are GSWA medals that have the unit somtimes with Afrikkans sometimes English initials? Were the OFS ones not sometime Free state Mounted Rifles, sometimes Vry staat Skuters?

best

Chris

[sabrigade]

Thanks All,

I made a mistake, Pretorius was in the Lichtenburg and not the Krugersdorp Commando, District 1, and fought at Kraaipan, Twee Rivieren, Klip Rivier, Donkerhoek, Rooiwal, Twee Bos, Belmont, Kimberley, Transvaal, Deldsnek?, Talmant?. (? = Cannot make out the writing!)

He gave his commanders as Commandant Vermaak, General Koos De La Rey, Veldkornet Jan Cronje and A/Veldkornet H. Haman.

He also served as a policeman in the Transvaal Supreme Court.

Pretorius was captured on 7 May 1902 and obviously had a very extensive Boer War record.

He was released from the Umbilo P.O.W. Camp in Durban on 20 June 1902.

Regards,

Will

Edited April 15, 2013 by sabrigade