TOPIC: Holders of both the Queen's South Africa Medal and the China War Medal

Were there many? I've come across a newspaper report of three men, all St. John Ambulance Brigade members, who were awarded both medals.

"Three members of the local St. John's Ambulance Corps have been awarded the China medal. The lucky men are:
117 Private S. Kingston, of Northampton;
130 Private Beeby, Kettering; and
1,482 Private F. W. Green, Wellingborough.
These are the only three gentlemen in the whole county who have been honoured with this particular decoration, which will be handed to the recipients, we understand, by Captain W. Hughes, the Chief Superintendent, at any time now. An inspection of the medal reveals a slightly and deep-struck silver token, bearing her Majesty Queen Victoria's effigy and a device of arms with an appropriate Latin scroll. The ribbon and medal when they appear at parade in the future will be a rare distinction. The men in question, it is interesting to note, all served in the South African campaign, and upon coming home again took their discharge. When the China trouble arose, however, they were among those who volunteered. They were selected, and served on the special hospital ship Maine. They already have the South African medal, so that the authorities in these cases leave no ground for a murmur as to grudging recognition of brave service eagerly undertaken."

The Northampton Mercury, Friday 31st July 1903

I would think that report refers to membership of the St John Ambulance Brigade only, notwithstanding, still a particularly pleasing combination, no matter, if military or naval.

BereniceUK wrote: Were there many? I've come across a newspaper report of three men, all St. John Ambulance Brigade members, who were awarded both medals.

"Three members of the local St. John's Ambulance Corps have been awarded the China medal. The lucky men are:
117 Private S. Kingston, of Northampton;
130 Private Beeby, Kettering; and
1,482 Private F. W. Green, Wellingborough.
These are the only three gentlemen in the whole county who have been honoured with this particular decoration, which will be handed to the recipients, we understand, by Captain W. Hughes, the Chief Superintendent, at any time now. An inspection of the medal reveals a slightly and deep-struck silver token, bearing her Majesty Queen Victoria's effigy and a device of arms with an appropriate Latin scroll. The ribbon and medal when they appear at parade in the future will be a rare distinction. The men in question, it is interesting to note, all served in the South African campaign, and upon coming home again took their discharge. When the China trouble arose, however, they were among those who volunteered. They were selected, and served on the special hospital ship Maine. They already have the South African medal, so that the authorities in these cases leave no ground for a murmur as to grudging recognition of brave service eagerly undertaken."

The Northampton Mercury, Friday 31st July 1903

Eleven St. John Ambulance Brigade members received both the QSA and the China War Medal. www.sja.org.uk/sja/pdf/SouthAfricaandChina1899.pdf (the last paragraph)

I wondered if any of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers might have served in both conflicts, but the 1st Battalion was in South Africa, and the 2nd in China, so presumably not.

Certainly from memory at least, there was a group on display in their museum, I would think the recipient had served in the 2nd Battalion and subsequently been attached to their 1st Battalion.
I suggest a careful look throughout WO100 initially followed up with the same for a particular man, in WO97, WO363 and WO364, would be the way to go.



quote="BereniceUK" post=64268]Eleven St. John Ambulance Brigade members received both the QSA and the China War Medal. www.sja.org.uk/sja/pdf/SouthAfricaandChina1899.pdf (the last paragraph)

I wondered if any of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers might have served in both conflicts, but the 1st Battalion was in South Africa, and the 2nd in China, so presumably not.[/quote]

Medals of England says that 35 men received both medals. One was Gunner C. St. Clair, of the Royal Garrison Artillery.
www.medalsofengland.com/medals.php?id=63&medalid=1760

They will certainly be in a minority, given the two conflicts were happening at the same point in time, notwithstanding, a superb combination, not dissimilar to officers of the various companies who received the Transport medal with both clasps as well as officers and rates, of the Royal Navy and officers and rankers of the RMLI, onboard HM Ships, who would receive the two campaign medals.