TOPIC:

I'm not very knowledgeable about the ABW, so need some help. My grandfather, Henry Charles Coppock, was a Lance Corporal, according to your QSA medal database. He was awarded the following clasps: SA 1901, 1902, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, and Transvaal. He served from 6 March 1901 until his discharge at Shorncliffe on 19 April 1902 as a Corporal. How do I find out which battles he engaged in? What is the best background reading on the war?








Does anyone have an image of the hat badge seen in the second photo?

While I don't have the medal and clasps, and do not know their whereabouts, I do have a Reconnaisance hat badge. Was there such a unit in the ABW? It is very similar to my father's Reconnaisance hat badge from WW2, except that it is a silver colour rather than bronze.

Hello Kathy

Smashing pictures, thanks for posting.

The badge is similar this this one in the image attached.

The Recce Corps did not exist in the ABW, I believe it was raised in WWII.

There are a few IY histories, I cannot recall if there is one for the 23rd bn. If not then you need to do a lot of reading around, and it won't be easy. There was so much going in 1901/1902 the histories only touch on major events and miss out or generalise about other episodes. I can construct such histories using the casualty roll for a unit to give me the locations it was present and work from there.

Regards
Meurig

Hi Meurig,

I'm very grateful to you if you can construct a history for the 91st company. Would you be willing to let me have a copy of the IY Rosettea badge image? If I use it anywhere (e.g. our webpages) I will acknowlege you against the image.

The Recce badge may have belonged to another family member, as my grandfather died during WW2 from tuberculosis, and wasn't serving in the forces. He was 63. He spent his working life as a Thames lighterman, later becoming superviser in charge of all oil transport. I have inserted a photo of the hat badge, which is silver (I had to clean it). It lacks the arrow head, and clearly never had one. I don't think that any badges or medals in WW2 were silver

Hello Kathy

What is your website?

Certainly you can use the image.

Regards
Meurig

Kathy,

Those pictures were excellent. Thank you for uploading those.

Best wishes
David

SWB wrote: Hello Kathy

What is your website?

Certainly you can use the image.

Regards
Meurig

Hi Meurig,

Website is www.wallwork.me.uk
How do I grab a copy of the image?

Regards,
Kathy