TOPIC:

Q.S.A. Defence of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, - PTE S VAN MUSIK KIMBERLEY TOWN GD
1914-15 Star, - L/CPL S VON MUSITS S.A.IRISH RGT
1914-18 War Medal, - A/SGT S VON MUSITS S.A.S.C.
1914-19 Victory Medal,(bilingual) - unnamed

Stephen von Musits was born in Richmond, Virginia, USA and came to South Africa in 1897. According to a reference letter written by George Steinway, it was "for his health". His father was a close friend and the personal physician to Mr G. Steinway and no doubt used his influence to organise an easier start to Stephens life in South Africa, addressing the letter to 3 businesses in South Africa who I assume were involved in the piano supply business. He arrived in South Africa and made his way to Kimberley where he became a prospector and diamond digger, not an easy life at the time.



He seemed to make a living and is referenced in George Beet's "The Romance and Reality of the Vaal Diamond Diggings" published in 1917.
"a 79 and-a-half carat yellow stone by S von Musits" found at the Barkly Breakwater breakwater.

He is listed on the Kimberley Town Guard roll as Pte S Van Musik, with a Defence of Kimberley clasp and a cross reference to Damants Horse Roll as S von Musits.

On the Damant's Horse roll it is noted that medal and CC clasp be deleted as issued off Kimberley Town Guard as Pte S von Musits.
Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill issued and sent to SA in 1905 (this block of 4 clasps are rivetted together but not to the Defence of Kimberley clasp). There is also a 'Yes' in the Wittebergen column.

The Defence of Kimberley and Paardeberg combination is scarce, according to Dave Willis's article and roll, 155 such combinations exist



His original Army Form B 2077 PARCHMENT CERTIFICATE OF Character on discharge as well as Army Form B 128 PARCHMENT CERTIFICATE of Discharge accompany the medals, and are both signed by Rimington and list his service with the Corp of Rimington's Guides as 2 years and 47 days, being discharged at his own request in Bloemfontein at the age of 28 in March 1902

He would stay in South Africa, getting married and having 4 children before we find him enlisting in the S.A. Irish where he was discharged on 23rd July 1915, with a "very good" character, after serving 291 days in the 1914 S.A. Rebellion and German S.W.A.

He attested with the 7th S.A.H. in April 1916 and would serve in German East Africa for a period of 302 days before being discharged with a very good character in December 1916, probably due to illness.

He then attests, at age 39, at Roberts Heights in March 1918 for service in German East Africa, this time as a Driver in the S.A.S.C.M.T. (N), before being discharged as Temporarily unfit for Tropical War Service, his service being reckoned as 1 year and 5 days.

This is a particulary interesting group, as all his original Discharge Certificates, Steinways letter as well as various badges and his balance scale were included.

I need to do more research in Kimberley, but will get around to finishing it off in the near future, but it seem he stayed in South Africa and worked as a diamond digger and prospector in Barkly East where he was living in 1940.

Jon

Jon,

A great combination and excellent write-up.

Jon
That is a great assemblage of material, and you are very fortunate to have acquired it. Than you for sharing with us. I will look forward to reading more of von Musits' story.
Regards
Brett