TOPIC:

Hello Forum Members

A little clarification required regarding a 5th Lancers man.
R.....Reserve Battalion or Remount?
Your help as always is appreciated.


Dave...

Dave - I can see why you asked the question. Knowing his SA service dates & the clasps to his QSA might help provide an answer?

One of "my" Smethwickians served in the 5L. He attested 16/09/1890 (about 10 months after your man) and spent time in India. He was transferred to the AR 23/11/1897 and recalled 13/11/1899. He went to SA on 02/12/1899 as part of a sizeable draft. When the draft arrived the 5L were incarcerated in Ladysmith and ultimately received the DoL clasp. The draft became involved in the relief of Ladysmith and my man received & the rest of the draft received the RoL clasp. He was back home on 05/03/1902 and was fully discharged 25/08/1902 (about 2 months before your man).

This link takes you to the write-up I posted on him 2 years ago.

www.angloboerwar.com/forum/11-research/3...on-to-the-rule#89357

Regards, David.

Hi David
My man John Scutt was in South Africa from the 5th March 1898 until the 11th August 1902. He was awarded Cape Colony, Belfast, Orange Free State and Defence of Ladysmith.

Regards

Dave.

As he was in India with the 5L when the first R appears and then went to SA with the 5L and was subsequently incarcerated in Ladysmith I don't see how the Rs could stand for Remount. It says on 21/12/1896 he was "transferred". My speculation is that the bureaucratic army considered he had technically been transferred to the Reserve before re-joining on the same day to serve another 5 active years and the Rs all stand for Re-joined.

Lieutenant W T Willcox signed off the 21/12/1896 entries, he also signed off my man's 2nd GC award on 26/08/1896. He went on to serve with the 3rd Hussars in WW1 and the reference to him I found gave his rank as "Major (acting Lt-Col)"