TOPIC:

I now have some paperwork on him, obviously someone did some research in the past. Born 21/7/1872 at Okehampton Devon. I do need some help with the following info
Commemorated at Cathedral.N Transept. Tablets County, Exeter, Devon,England. Holy Trinity, North and South gallery. Panels Household Cavalry & Guards, Windsor, Berkshire, England
I an make some of this out but a definitive answer would be appreciated.
Also is he on one of those black marble columns that I have seen before-surely the Coldstream Guards must rate one.
Out of interest on the same page of the medal roll on which he appears are 4 others who died of enteric and one killed in action.

Listed on the Colonial Coins and Medals site:

QSA (2) “BELMONT”, “MODDER RIVER” (1665 PTE W. P. FAIRBURN, CLDSTM: GDS:) – incorrectly impressed ‘Fairburn’ instead of ‘Fairbairn’.

Wounded at Magersfontein and DOW 2 January 1900.
Au$ 1,250

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (6) Belmont, Modder River, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (7606 Corl. T. J. Higgins, Cldstm. Gds.);
KSA (2) (7606 Serjt: T. J. Higgins. Coldstream Guards);
1914-15 Star (7606 C.S. Mjr. T. J. Higgins. C. Gds.);
BWM and VM MID oak leaves (7606 W.O. Cl. 2 T. J. Higgins. C. Gds.);
Army LS&GC EdVII (7606 C. Sjt. T. J. Higgins. Cldstm. Gds.);
Army MSM GVI 1st issue (C.S. Mjr. T. J. Higgins. C. Gds.);
Serbia, Kingdom, Cross of Karageorge, 2nd Class, with swords, dated 1914-16

MID LG 13 July 1916 (Dardanelles).

MSM Army Order 49 of 1939.

Cross of Karageorge, 2nd Class LG 15 February 1917. The recommendation states: ‘On August 15th the battalion had been in action near One Tree entrenchment, Gallipoli, and had suffered heavy casualties both in officers and men through rifle and shrapnel fire. It was consequently in a dangerous condition. Sergeant-Major Higgins assisted in rallying the detached bodies and a further advance was subsequently made, he being with the right of the force. At nightfall an isolated position was taken up some 300 yards in advance of the rest of the line and was maintained until the evening of the following day when orders were received to retire. Sergeant-Major Higgins had charge of a portion of the line and did much to rouse men who were thoroughly exhausted to carry out work in making the position tenable.’

Only 82 1st Class and 89 2nd Class Crosses of Karageorge were awarded to the British Army.

Thomas Joseph Higgins was born in Sittingbourne, Kent and enlisted in the Coldstream Guards in January 1889, aged 18 years. Having been advanced to Corporal in April 1899, he served out in South Africa between October of the same year and October 1902, winning the Queen’s Medal with six clasps and the King’s Medal with two clasps, in addition to gaining further promotion to Sergeant in September 1901. He subsequently gained appointment as Colour-Sergeant in August 1905 and received his LS&GC Medal in Army Order 270 of 1909, and in the following year was attached to the 10th (Hackney) Battalion, London Regiment as a Permanent Staff Instructor.

On the outbreak of war in 1914, he was employed as Regimental Sergeant-Major to the 1/10th Battalion (County of London) Regiment, and after a period of training embarked for services in the East. He served in the Gallipoli Peninsula and throughout the evacuation, being mentioned in Sir Charles Munro’s despatches and awarded the Serbian Cross of Karageorge with Swords, 2nd Class. He was commissioned in 1916, and promoted to Captain and Group Adjutant, London Volunteers.

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (6) Belmont, Modder River, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (8626 Pte. T. Rhodes, Cldstm: Gds:);
KSA (2) (8626 Pte. T. Rhodes. Coldstream Guards.)

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (7) Belmont, Modder River, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast, South Africa 1901 (1753 Pte. P. Rooney, Cldstm: Gds:), unofficial rivets between sixth and seventh clasps, lacquered

Patrick Rooney was born at Belfast in July 1879 and enlisted in the Coldstream Guards on 28 June 1898. He served in South Africa during the Boer War from 21 October 1899-17 July 1901, being accidentally wounded at Waterval Onder on 1 September 1900.

He was convicted by court martial of "wilfully injuring himself with intent thereby to render himself unfit for service". He went to prison for six months in South Africa. Rooney was discharged 'medically unfit' on 20 November 1901.

His address on discharge was 21 Waterville Street, Belfast. His father and siblings lived at 33 Cyprus St, Belfast.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (6) Belmont, Modder River, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (8939 Pte T. Whalley, Cldstm:Gds:),;
[ KSA (2) ]

Thomas Whalley was born at Gorlon, Lancaster in 1870. Enlisting with the Coldstream Guards in 1892 he served throughout the Second Boer War.