Little has been written about this rare award. While it can only be regarded as 'Semi-official', it was in fact instituted by Baden Powell during the Anglo-Boer War.
I saw the post by Don Pedlar of South Australia, as Don has a group of medals that actually has a metal badge with the medals.
Many years ago, I bought a Group of four medals to a certain J.G. McCallum, His 2 bar QSA states that he was No. 809 - a 3rd Class Trooper in the SAC. He was also awarded a WW1 Trio for service in German East Africa. (most 1914-15 Stars to South Africans were awarded for service in German South West Africa....only a few early units qualified for service in GEA).
Interestingly the 'Trio' has three different units impressed onto each of the 3 medals.
Only years later after applying for his service docs did I find out that he was one of only 83 members of the SAC who were awarded the "Badge of Gallantry". I later found an old photo of Baden Powell presenting the "Badge of Gallantry" to a squad of SAC soldiers. According to Baden Powell. the badge was to become..."a highly prized decoration in the force" (SAC)'.
In copies of his SAC file, there are several comments and entries relating to the award of the gallantry badge:
It says..."Honourable Mention for good work at de Hoop, O.R.C." on 29-11-1901, as well as..."Wounded dangerously in knee at Blesbokpan".
Other medical files as well as McCallum's own report state that he suffered from a bullet wound in the knee. He was obviously quite a character as he was put "on the Mat" and fined three times for "using insubordinate language to an NCO" ..."Improper Conduct"...and "Drunkenness" !
His WW1 medals are impressed to the 1st S.A.R. (South African Rifles), 2nd Class W.O. S.A.V.C. (S.A. Veteran Regt), and 2nd Cl. W.O. Cape Corps on the Bilingual Victory. All up a very desirable Group that I am pleased to have in my collection. I had a replica "Badge of Gallantry" embroided in the original colours of yellow on a Green background.
I though this may have been of interest to fellow members. Happy New Year...and "happy Collecting". Colonial Boer.
