TOPIC:

I am new to the site and would like to research my wife's grandfather's army service with a view to replacing his medals stolen some years ago. Michael was born 2/1/1883 in Somerset and joined the Somerset Light Infantry in April 1901, number 6013. All the family are certain we recall the QSA and some clasps as one of his medals but when researching the Boer War medal lists on Ancestry.com cannot find his name. We have some photos of his army service; firstly in the red serge of the SLI when he joined-up; then one in India 1904-06 showing he was in H company of 1/SLI, and another as a L/Cpl in photo of all the 1/SLI's junior NCOs in tropical uniforms but whilst some wear their medals he has none; the next is as a Sgt in WW1 where he does wear the QSA ribbon (we are pretty sure it is!). It has been suggested that as an 18 year old he would not serve in SA (normal age was 20 apparently). So we are left wondering why he is not on the medal rolls and doubting our memory of his medals. There are photos in the 1930s of "Old Contemptibles" SLI where it appears to show he wears more than the 3 usual WW1 medals but impossible to tell what. They only other bit of info I have found is that the 2/SLI arrived in SA Dec 1899 on SS Briton. I wonder therefore: did 18 yr olds go to SA, and was the QSA medal ever issued at later dates than the original issues that formed the medal roll (my father for example didn't get his WW2 medals until the 1990s)? Although he was with the 1/SLI in India was there much interchange between battalions? The final picture we have is of the ship SS Sicilia that may or may not have taken him to/from SA or India. Any advice would be much appreciated, many thanks.

Interesting man, I'd be a little sceptical that he served, actually in South Africa, during the Anglo Boer War, a glance at WO372 and WO329 confirms him as 6013 Corporal in the Somersetshire LI, with a date of entry into theatre of the 11th of December 1914, then subsequently after transfer, on the 28th of September 1915, 20205 Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire LI and then 24771 Dorsetshire Regiment.
I cannot see him in the available folio in WO363, you may end up being disappointed, have you discussed this with the Ministry of Defence, if not, it might be worth you doing so.

Many thanks Frank. Yes, I have the WW1 info. How do I "discuss" with the MoD? David

Certainly from memory, the request form for next of kin should be available on line from the MOD, there will doubtless be a charge and as I said, you may well be disappointed, but, I wish you good luck if take it further.

Didn't get any replies to the post below. Can anyone confirm that medal ribbon on photo is probably for SA? (assume photo is kept on this edited re-entry?)David

I've still drawn a blank on finding Grandfather Middleton in the Boer War. Checked all the medal rolls but note with only a few exceptions the Somerset LI action was by 2nd Btln and 4th Volunteer Btln, and 1st Btln (my interest) were in India. I have photos of his time in India etc but we all remain convinced he had King's Medal (all medals stolen). However, I have now found a photo of him with a medal ribbon when Sgt in WW1 with 5 (Service) Btln Dorset Regt (started war with SLI, then Ox&Bucks and then Dorset) and all recorded on his medal card. The ribbon looks like King's Medal but not absolutely certain. We are sure he wouldn't have faked it as there must have been other SLI servicemen who were in SA and also WW1 who knew him. Unfortunately there does not appear to be an army service record for him in "burnt"and "unburnt" records. I attach photo and would appreciate any further thoughts. David