TOPIC:

It is a good group being it is to Warwick but is there more to it? Once you strip off the dud KSA and bar on the DSO?

I came across this split group from Spink, May 1991.

[CMG]
DSO VR
BSA CM rev Rhodesia 1896 (Lt M G S D Forbes Staff BFF)
QSA (2) RoM RoL (Lt G S D Forbes, Armd Train)
[Trio]

What struck me was the naming of the QSA. Forbes's parent unit was the TMI.

FORBES, GORDON STEWART DRUMMOND, Lieutenant, was born in 1868, son of General Sir J Forbes, GCB, of Inverness. He was mining in South Africa (Johannesburg) in 1889-93; in Rhodesia as Managing Director of Companies, 1893-1900. He served through the Matabele War of 1896 on Colonel Plumer's Staff, and then on Colonel Spreckley's Staff at the Battle of Umyussa (Medal). In 1891 he visited the West Coast of Africa, and was for a time engaged in mining there. He served in the South African War, and, for gallantry at Spion Kop, was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: "Gordon Stewart Drummond Forbes, Lieutenant, Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented to him by the King 3 June, 1901. He lived in Rhodesia, and was Managing Director of Companies there, his favourite recreations being steeplechasing and hunting. He was a member of the Legislative Council, Rhodesia, and was created a CMG in 1910. He served in the European War and died of wounds in France 21 May 1915.

Forbe's QSA is listed on WO100/277p134.

It looks like the person naming the QSA took the unit from the page title.

David
Even as it was (and hopefully still is, somewhere), the Forbes DSO split group is a really good one. Droogleever's "Thorneycroft's Unbuttoned" has Lt. Forbers of the TMI as one of the five (two officers and three ORs) who accompanied Col. Thorneycroft up Spion Kop as an advanced party ahead of the assault force. Unexpectedly, your post resonated with IL as he is currently the custodian of one of the three ORs who accompanied the three officers up that fateful hill. "369 Pte. E.Shaw". See a previous post: "From the siege of Pretoria to Spion Kop".
Droogleever notes that his QSA clasp entitlement also included "Rhodesia".
Regards
IL.

IL,

It is still an attractive group and your information only adds to its value. You must be very proud of Shaw's medal.

There is a note which links him to the Mafeking Railway Volunteers. He is listed there for the same 2 clasps (WO100/283p182).

I have not yet found his Rhodesia.

Trio to Capt H J V Phillips, SWB.

Picture courtesy of DNW


DSO VRI
QSA (3) CC OFS Tr (Capt. H. J. V. Phillips. S. Wales Bord.)
KSA (2) (Cpt. H. J. V. Phillips. D.S.O. S. W. Bdrs.)

DSO LG 27 September 1901: ‘In recognition of services during operations in South Africa.’

Henry Jacon Vaughan Phillips was born in 1868, son of Mr Cambridge Phillips, magistrates’ clerk for the Defynoch Division of Breconshire, and author of the standard work on the birds of Breconshire. He was educated at Brecon College, joined the 3rd South Wales Borderers Militia in November 1886, and served until he was appointed superintendent water bailiff in May 1909. He served in the South African War, 1899-1902, as Acting Intelligence Officer. He also performed the duties of Transport Officer. Captain Jacob was present at the operations in the Orange Free State, April to May 1900; operations in Orange River Colony, May to 29 November 1900 operations in Cape Colony, 1900; operations in the Transvaal, May 1901 to January 1902; operations in the Orange River Colony from 30 November 1900 to March 1901; operations in Cape Colony, April to May 1901, and January to February 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 10 September 1901); received the Queen's Medal with three clasps; the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. The Insignia were presented by the King on 2 June 1902. Major Phillips died 6 May 1914, aged 46 years.