TOPIC:

Hello Alex,
Just from a campaign medal point of veiw, his QSA was issued on the 29th of May 1902, I suspect he would certainly have actually had his Matabele war medal, from memory he was a subaltern in the Salisbury Horse, I'd have to look at WO100/77 with regards to his clasp though, he was certainly entitled to it.
Incidentally, you mentioned the C in C Bodyguard badge and his initials, if this was the British Army then, yes, it would have been most unsual, but, this was not the British Army and in the SAMIF it was not unsual to use the name of the commanding officer within a badge.
The actual badges were normally made in two parts using a die for the main piece and then the "R" applied onto it, they were made in Silver and also in a rather attractive pale yellow brass, both being made in South Africa, as was the norm.
Kind regards Frank

Welcome Alex,

The BSACM roll shows D T Laing as receiving the 1893 Medal with clasp 1896. A note attached says 1893, Lieutenant Salisbury Horse. 1896 Major, Belingwe Staff Col.

Best wishes
David

Hello Alex,
Sorry for not getting back to you last night, I did check WO100/77 and was right, moreover, as David points out he was a Lieutenant in the Salisbury Horse, sadly, there is nothing in the remarks column.
In the case of his clasp the roll was prepared at Salisbury, Rhodesia in November 1897, now then, his home address in Scotland is shown, Laing was the commanding officer of the Belingwe Field Force, moreover he signs in that capacity, but, as David points out, the actual unit shown is indeed the Belingwe Staff Column, interestingly, his friend Captain Hopper (he commanded Laing's maxims) has also added his as Chief Inspector pro Officer Commanding, Belingwe Field Force, along with old "Tin tack" Rivett Carnac, who was acting Commandant General.


(one of tin tacks ancestors flew operationally with the RAF in the second world war, I have had a rather special interest in this family!)

Just going back to the Inungu mountain and the defence of their lager that I had mentioned to you earlier, briefly, I note that members of his Maxim Troop were actually wounded in this bloody engagement including his friend Sergeant Halkett who he subsequently payed tribute to!
Kind regards Frank

Its amazing that even today we can still learn about things

many thanks gents

Hello Alex,
Make no mistake, Laing was a fine officer, anyway, it has been a pleasure to talk to you, on here, about him today and welcome to this forum too!
Kind regards Frank

Morning all

I have just completed a war summary for a client for a trooper in the CiC Bodyguard who was killed alongside Laing.

Does anyone know of any books/articles on Laing or any indepth history of the CiCBG?

I have a copy of Lourens & Watts' article on the action where these men were killed from the SAMHJ.

Thanks
Meurig