TOPIC:

I have just come across a few interesting military items in one of the usual places - an old box in the loft! Any comments would be appreciated.

01. An original "DISCHARGE CERTIFICATE OF A MILITIAMAN"
The Militiaman in question was 2080 Private Thomas HUGHES who joined the 3rd.Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers in Denbighhshire on 22nd. May 1895. He served 8 years, including 1 year and 105 days in South Africa and was awarded the South African Medal with 4 clasps. The discharge paper was signed by "G.L. Richards (maybe Rickard?)" Capt. & Adjutant in Wrexham on 3rd. May 1903.

02. Two ribbons, approx 700mm long by 60 mm wide, one red, one beige, with gold lettering - "RELIEF OF LADYSMITH, FEB. 28th, 1900"
BULLER (a handshake) WHITE
2nd DEVON Regt.

03. A printed silk (?) 600mm (approx) square,
"ENGAGEMENTS by GEN. SIR REDVERS BULLER'S NATAL FIELD FORCES." The list of 23 engagements is from 15th. Nov. 1899 to 11th. June 1900.
The printers were Vause, Slatter & Calvert, Maritzburg.

I think Thomas Hughes may have been a lodger in my father-in-law's house in the Rhondda Valley. His occupation on discharge was 'collier' so he may have been one of the hundreds of miners who travelled south in search of work.

Any comments or input of any sort would be appreciated.

Welcome to the forum Taff and thank you for your first post.

What nice items to find in your loft!

I think I have seen the ribbon and silk hankerchief before but not the first item. Would it be possible to add pictures of these items?

With thanks
David

Welcome,
I agree with David, I should have another look in the loft if I were you, Thomas Hughes had his QSA and four clasps, Cape Colony, Wittebergen, Transvaal and South Africa 1901 issued from the 1st Battlion RWF roll.
He is shown on WO100/181 page 35 in respect of his medal and first three clasps and on page 122 in respect of his South Africa 1901 clasp, with a note "Militia Battlion RWF"
Might be up in the loft!
Regards Frank

Thank you, David and Frank, for such a quick response.
Later on I will test my "technability" and attempt to transport the photographs from my iPad as an attachment.
In the meantime I will mooch about the loft and see what else may be lurking there!

Taff.

Taff,

I always find the weekend is the perfect time to lurk around in the loft!

If you have any problems with the images please email them to me at david.biggins [@] angloboerwar.com and I can upload them for you.

Best wishes
David