TOPIC:

The first 3 medals earned by Bert Nicolson who served with the Royal Scots in the Boer War. Both QSA and KSA are renamed.


Picture courtesy of DNW

His full group is here: www.angloboerwar.com/forum/5-medals-and-...tions?start=36#68288

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (2) Cape Colony, Orange Free State (10309 L/Cpl. C. B. O’Flynn, R.A.M.C.) rank partially double-struck;
KSA (2) (10309 Corpl: C. B. O’Flynn. R.A.M.C.)

QSA BRONZE ISSUE TO:
50-SWEEPER CHARALEE. J&J CORPS. OUDH. DIST.

I picked this one up for small money last year.
The obverse has seen plenty of polishing, the reverse not as much and thankfully the rim still bears the nicely scrolled inscription. And to top it all, it still has it's original ribbon which is in a very fragile state.
I love the thought of Mr. Charalee polishing this medal thoroughly to wear for best (perhaps he wore it with pride every day of his life?).
The sweepers certainly had some grim jobs in the field hospitals from what I have read. Cleaning up and preparing the dead for burial. I believe that a group of sweepers prepared Penn-Symons' body after he died following the battle at Talana.
Despite it's over polishing, a medal I enjoy having in the collection.