Effected
This is a very good group of medals that reflect service in three wars.
The fact that Gericke served with Hertzog during the Boer War suggests he was a Free Stater.
The two World War I medals (1914/15 Star and Victory Medal) named to the 3rd South African Mounted Rifles suggest that Gericke had served with the Natal Police before 1913. Some Free Staters were included in the 2nd and 3rd SAMR, so perhaps he had been a policeman in that province, rather than Natal.
The third World War I medal (WWI War Medal) is named to the 1st Military Constabulary, which was formed after South Africa took over the running of German South West Africa. This again suggests that Gericke had been a policeman before the war. The 1st and 2nd MC evolved into the South West African Police after the war.
I do not recognise the acronym (RLY) on the Africa Service Medal, which was issued to all South Africans in World War II who volunteered to serve anywhere in Africa (and, later, elsewhere in the world). Volunteers who did not leave South Africa were usually awarded the WWII War Medal and the Africa Service Medal, but some 'home guard' units received only the ASM. This may have been the case with Gericke and the RLY (? perhaps something to do with the railways).
The fragments of ribbon are all incorrectly placed with the medals on the board. I have access to replacement ribbons, so please PM me with your e-mail and postal addresses.
Regards
Brett
