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Dear Brett

Thank you for your response. I have attached a scanned copy of the medals. I do not have the actual medals with me in the UK. My cousin has scanned them and written down all the information on them. From what I understand is that his regimental numbers should also be shown on the side.

kind regards

James



C:\fakepath\Medals Front.GIF

James

The second photograph does clarify the situation. The Boer War pair of medals (Queen's South Africa and King's South Africa Medals) were awarded for service in Nesbitt's Horse, whereas the three World War I medals were as follows:
1914/15 Star - SAEC (not BAEC) = South African Engineers. His rank was Sapper.
War & Victory Medals - Brand's Free State Rifles. His rank was Private.

Your GGF served with the South African forces in the German South West African campaign. Usually the service records for this campaign are limited to a single card. There are researchers in South Africa who copy whatever record does exist for a fee.

Brand's Free State Rifles was raised in the Orange Free State in 1914, with three battalions from the South and Central OFS, and three from the North. This regiment formed part of 5th Mounted Brigade in GSWA in 1915.

If, as seems likely, your GGF had settled in South Africa, it might be worth searching the SA National Archives website for records, such as a Death Notice. Unfortunately, any such records will also have to be copied by a local researcher.

Regards
Brett

Brett

Thank you for the information it has been most helpful.

So the 1914/15 star was issued to any person who was involved with WW1 and not just limited to Flanders in France.

Regards

James

Dear Brett

Sorry I forgot to ask the most obvious question can you point me in the right direction to get an archivist who can copy the WW1 records, as the Nesbitt's Horses documents are at the National Archives in the Uk and I have access to those.

Just complete the picture he did not settle in South Africa but moved between Rhodesia, South Africa and New Zealand, this is where he died in 1949 and is buried at the Imperial War Cementry in Auckland New Zealand.

Kind regards

James

James

The 1914/15 Star was indeed awarded for service in theatres of war outside Flanders. I think it is fair to say that usually the medal was earned for far less suffering and far fewer horrors than those experienced by the men in Flanders.

The researcher I have used is Audrey Portman, whose address is:
[email protected]

Good luck with your further research.

Regards
Brett