TOPIC:

My name is Nigel Robson and I am a New Zealander who recently returned to New Zealand after living in South Korea for 12 years. I currently work as a historian with the New Zealand Justice Ministry.

In 2013, I completed my Master's degree on the impact of the South African War 1899-1902 on New Zealand society. My thesis is currently embargoed as I am writing a book on the topic, which I hope to complete before the end of the year. I have conducted extensive research into New Zealand's involvement and have a large amount of primary source material on the subject. Some of this material may be of interest to forum members. If people have queries about New Zealanders in the war I may be able to assist.

As a starting point, I wonder if anybody has the QSAs of the following individuals:

1. Sergeant Rupert Vivian Hosking - Protectorate Regiment Frontier Force
2. Sergeant-Major Edward Jollie - British South African Police, both of whom were invested in Mafeking.
3. Trooper/Corporal William Lancelot Miles - Colonial Scouts, Intelligence Department, Natal Corps of Guides
4. Sergeant Arthur Vogan - No. 36219, Prince of Wales Light Horse
5. Hugh Melville - No. 385 or 330 Border Mounted Rifles
6. Alexander Melville - No. 387 Border Mounted Rifles
7. Hamilton Melville No. 385 or 330 Border Mounted Rifles
8. Sergeant/Lieutenant/ Captain Piers Lloyd Tudor - No. 756 Third, Sixth, and Ninth or Tenth New Zealand Contingents. QSA will have clasps for Johannesburg, Cape Colony and Orange Free State

If so, I can help with information that may be of interest.

As I don't wish to undermine the publication of my book, there is some information I would prefer to withhold until I can get it published, but where possible I am happy to share and if/when the book is actually published I am prepared to make all the primary research I have, much of which is not available online, available.

Although my primary interest is research, I also have a small collection of items including the medals of Jameson Raider Leslie Coleridge Kennedy and some Matabele weapons he collected during the Matabele War.

I can be contacted at byzantine60gmail.com

The Melvilles of the Border Mounted Rifles were recently mentioned on this forum, so you should get a reply from QSAMike soon!
Regards
Brett

In the meantime, here is a picture of the BMR War Memorial in Port Shepstone:

Good Morning Nigel.....

Welcome to the forum, have been expecting your appearance......

For Brett we have been corresponding via email.......

Have you seen the New Zealand Mounted Rifles item that is now listed on ebay?????

QSA-medal-w-Rhodesia-clasp-New-Zealand-Mounted-Rifles item number 142001456411

Looks interesting......

Mike

Hi Brett,

Thanks. I have already been in touch with Mike and shared some of the information I have uncovered in New Zealand regarding the Melvilles. The Melvilles farmed in the Port Shepstone area after arriving from India prior to the war, but all four Melvilles were New Zealand born. They left New Zealand for Dresden in Saxony after their father, David Melville, retired from the Union Bank in New Zealand. After David died in the 1890s, Leslie and Hugh moved to India where they worked as tea planters. From there they made their way to Natal and their mother, Louisa Melville, two brothers (Hamilton and Alex) and sister (Ida) joined them.

Cheers,
Nigel

Hi Mike,

Thanks. I will have a look at it and see who it is.

Cheers,
Nigel