TOPIC:

Hello
I have a Queens South Africa medal to a soldier of the Shropshire L.I., who was wounded on the 8 January 1901 at Belfast South Africa
can any member tell me what was going on the this date, the regimental history does not say much, was it a major engagement or just a skirmish
and what was the out come of the days events.
any help will be much appreciated
PHILIP

Philip
Something certainly did happen at Belfast in the Transvaal on 8 Jan., 1901. According to the SAFF Casualty list, the 2SLI suffered four killed or died of wounds, one Dangerously Wounded and prisoner (your man), two wounded and prisoner and seventeen prisoners unwounded.
According to Stirling's "Our Regiments", the 2SLI formed part of the Belfast garrison when it was attacked on the night of 7th January, 1901 and had about twenty casualties. Vol. V of the Times History (pages 123 -4) describes Botha's attack on Belfast on 7/1/1901; the SLI appear to have conducted themselves well at the Colliery post. Six other garrison posts were attacked more or less simultaneously and the Boer attack failed. Not, however, without severe fighting.
I do suggest you avail yourself of the availability of the Volumes of the Times History on the "Books" section of the site and discover the background and actuality of the attack on Belfast on 7/1/1901.
Best regards
IL.

Suggest you Google...…

The Battle of Bergendaal…….. aka Battle of Belfast …..

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bergendal

This might help.....

Mike

Mike and Philip
The battle of Belfast (August 1900), where qualifying troops received a suitable clasp, took place several months previous to Botha's unsuccessful attack on 7/1/1901 as described in TH Vol.V.
Best regards
IL.