TOPIC:

A copy of the Communique from a NZ newspaper:

Source: Page 128

Title: Time limit

GOCinC South Africa wrote on 23-4-14 asking if the time had not now arrived for ceasing to entertain applications for the KIng's and Queen's SA Medals owing to the difficulty of verifying the claims. Army Council letter of 25/5/14 in reply (68/SA/2883) states:-

"War Office letter No AG2/M/15471 dated 12th July 1907 laid down 31-12-07 as the date after which claims by civilian employees for either the Queen's or King's SA Medal should not be entertained. It was however thought advisable to continue to investigate certain claims owing special services rendered by certain persons in particular the civilian employees of the late Field Intell Dept. The Army Council agrees that after this lapse of time the terms of the above quoted War Office letter should now be strictly adhered to. As regards the claims of soldiers I am to say that it has not hitherto been the custom to fix a time limit and claims to medals for campaigns prior to the SA war are investigated. To refuse entirely investigation of such claims might entail considerable hardship on the soldier with reference to article 1170 of the Royal Warrant (Special Campaign Pensions)."

Copies of above letters sent to Colonial Office 2-6-14 68/SA/2883 (marked not to be destroyed).

A Mr Justice Hopley's application refused on the above grounds unless forwarded and recommended by the GOCinC SA with an expression of his opinion that Mr Justice Hopley was qualified for the award of the medal under para 1 & 2 of the accompanying rules 68/SA/6007A (letter dated 9th July 1914 68/SA/2931).

Source: Page 129

68/SA?3359 (1915) & 68/SA/2463 (1913)

See also case of Mr R Blankenberg, Private Secretart to Sir Arthur Lawley, dealt with on same ground.

Book 2, page 9
AG2/M/15471
7.8.07

Civilian employees

Claims to the SA medal of civilian employees will not be entertained after 31.12.07

Applications before that date should be submitter to Secretary, War Office, with full particulars of services.

Book 2, page 11
68/Remt Dept/60
22/5/06

Decided (case of Civilian Clerk C G Byrne, Remount Department) that we must issue, when applied for, the medal awarded to civilians which have been returned here as unclaimed.