TOPIC:

Hi

I have appreciated reading the posts on the forum of this website and now that I have a few queries of my own I thought I should introduce myself.

I am a South African collector of medal pairs, one of which must be a QSA.

Regarding David Maxwell, I came upon a reference to him whilst trying to find out more about Lieutenant Henry Edward Thornton Wilkinson who joined the Imperial Light Horse (No 28) in September 1899 and who joined the 2nd Imperial Light Horse as a lieutenant on its formation in December 1900. Gibson in `The Story of the Imperial Light Horse' quotes extensively from `Froth and Bubble' by M A Harbord in which there are several references to Maxwell's involvement in the Imperial Light Horse. See for example Froth and Bubble at pages 137-140.

I see from a recent post that Maxwell participated in the battle of Rietfontein in October 1899. Elsewhere I've seen reference to a report drawn up by Colonel Royston following the battle. I am trying to find out more about the medal pair to H Norden, Border Mounted Rifles, who was wounded at Rietfontein and I was wondering if anyone could point me to the whereabouts of Colonel Royston's report.

I much appreciated Brett Hendey's post regarding the ride into Ladysmith at the time of its relief, with which Norden was apparently involved.

Best regards

Peter Jordi

Good Morning Peter......

Welcome to the quick sand of the QSA and it's research.......

I know that you will enjoy yourself with our obsession.......

Mike

Hi Peter

Coincidence is a wonderful thing! For the past few weeks I have been busy researching two German families named Bakeberg, who settled near Port Shepstone in 1883. On Friday, I came across a link between the Bakebergs and the Nordens. I believe your man to be Heinrich Norden, who was married to Marie Dorothea Magdalena Bakeberg. He, four of the Bakebergs, and many other German settlers served during the Boer War in No. 4 (Port Shepstone) Squadron of the Border Mounted Rifles, which was commanded by Major W Sangmeister, another of the German settlers.

The official history of the Natal Mounted Rifles by Eric Goetsche records that Trooper Norden was wounded in the leg at Tinta 'Nyoni (now usually referred to as Rietfontein). It also records that Norden was one of only 10 BMR men to serve in Buller's Relief Force, the rest of the regiment having been shut up in Ladysmith for the duration of the Siege. Clearly, after being wounded, Norden was taken away from the front for treatment, and, by the time he was fit again, he and the other BMR men who missed the siege were added to the Composite Regiment of the Mounted Brigade. This led later to them being involved in the ride into Ladysmith to lift the Siege on 28/2/1900.

Elsewhere on this forum I described the medals and service of Trooper (later Squadron Sergeant Major) H R Mason, BMR, who was also part of the Relief Force. I will try to find the post and add a link later.

I hope we will be hearing more from you about Norden, and the other men and their medals that are represented in your collection.

Regards
Brett

Peter Jordi
Thanks for post re David Maxwell; I assume you are referring to Lt. D.L. Maxwell of 1st ILH? Unsurprisingly, I have never heard of "Froth and Bubble" by Harbord. I had a quick look for it online; unavailable as reprint and seemingly in original form as well. It would be appreciated if you might indicate what Harbord's book covers re Lt.D.L.Maxwell? Not only by myself as current custodian of his DSO group ; but also for Sacha who doubtless would like to know more about her GGF.
Have you seen Lt.D.L.Maxwell's summary of service in "Boer War Services of Officers"? Regarding Reitfontein, all I know is what I can read about in the usual reference books.
Regards
IL.

I could not find the earlier thread where the BMR's 'Relief of Ladysmith' QSA's were discussed. As I remember it, Frank also has such a medal in his collection. A photo of my example to Tpr H R Mason is attached below.

Regards
Brett

PS Mason's Natal Rebellion Medal is also atypical of those awarded to the regiment. Most men (213) received the Medal with the 1906 clasp, and only a few (38) received it without the clasp. This was because the Port Shepstone Squadron was not called up during the second phase of the Rebellion. There was concern that the Pondos across the border in the Cape Colony would take advantage of the troubles in Natal and launch raids into Albert County. The Port Shepstone Squadron was on stand-by to deal with such a situation.

Hello Brett,
A superb and very rare pair, Trooper Mason must have had a really epic ride into Ladysmith, it really must have been a most memorable day for him and the others who were actually there on the day in question.
Regards Frank

Brett Hendey wrote: I could not find the earlier thread where the BMR's 'Relief of Ladysmith' QSA's were discussed. As I remember it, Frank also has such a medal in his collection. A photo of my example to Tpr H R Mason is attached below.

Regards
Brett

PS Mason's Natal Rebellion Medal is also atypical of those awarded to the regiment. Most men (213) received the Medal with the 1906 clasp, and only a few (38) received it without the clasp. This was because the Port Shepstone Squadron was not called up during the second phase of the Rebellion. There was concern that the Pondos across the border in the Cape Colony would take advantage of the troubles in Natal and launch raids into Albert County. The Port Shepstone Squadron was on stand-by to deal with such a situation.