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Hi everybody

I have long been fascinated by ABO medals to "Foreigners" who fought on the Boer Side and over the next week or two will post some of these.

I start with an ABO to Burger Jos A Sevink (named as such with part of his 1st name).

During 1937 a number of ABO's and DTD's were issued to Scandinavian Nurses and members of the Scandinavian Corps. Acting on newspaper reports of this "happening" a concerted effort was made in the Netherlands for medallic recognition of members of the Hollander Corps and nurses of the Dutch Ambulances.

Sevink must have been attached to the NZASM (Engine Driver??) because he mentions that he took troops from Middelburg to the front early in October. He then volunteered for service with the Middelburg Commando and saw service in Natal, inter alia, at Ladysmith (Waggon Hill), Nicholson Nek & Biggarsberg. He subsequently went to the Free State (actions at Vet River up to Kroonstad).
He was then infected with Typhus and was transported by Hospital Train to Pretoria. After the British Occupation he was declared PoW, but through the influence of Dr Veal not treated as such. When he recovered he was deported to the Netherlands.

He proudly wore his ABO medal, mounted in the Continental style.

Henk

Henk

Thank you for a very interesting post. I wonder if any other 19th Century wars were as 'international' as the Boer War? Your promised posts are something to look forward to.

Regards
Brett

Hi Henk,

thanks for a very interesting post, I wasn't aware that there was a Scandinavian Corps though I knew of the Hollandse Corps.

Obviously the world needed a good war that everyone got involved!

I look forward to your other posts.

regards, Iain