TOPIC:

Thank you Neville. The corridor from “Cape to the Cairo” was not a concept or phrase I had heard of previously. I did think that the clasped hands were a significant inclusion in the design and your detailed reply explains the how and why. That’s my something new learned today. Thanks again.
Peter

Volunteer, I note the characteristic position of the thumb in the handshake, which could possibly indicate this is a Masonic watch fob.

Peter,

It's probably worth noting that the use of the "STERLING" mark indicates that this piece was either made in the US, or in the UK for export. All silver items produced in the UK for the home market had to carry lion passant hallmarks.

The pendant may therefore have been made for the South African market.

Although Britain's ambition of establishing an uninterrupted "red line" of British rule from the Cape to Egypt was not realised until after WWI, in the 1890's Rhodes hatched a plan to build a Cape-to-Cairo railway and telegraph line. In 1899 he was in negotiations with Germany to build these across Tanganyika, the only territory lying in Britain's path. The Railway was never completed.

As the pendant only shows Southern Africa up to the border between Rhodesia and Zambia, it may commemorate the completion of the southern section of the Cape-to-Cairo Railway. The inclusion of the South African Republic and O.F.S. as independent states suggests a pre-ABW date. The Zambesi River was reached in 1904.

Neville




"THE RHODES COLOSSUS / Striding from Cape Town to Cairo. / Mr Rhodes had announced his intention to continue the telegraph northwards across the Zambesi to Uganda, then, crossing the Soudan, to complete the overland telegraph line from Cape Town to Cairo." (Punch Magazine, 1892)

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This postcard (published in Scotland) picks up on the same "Cape to Cairo" theme.

"CAPE TO CAIRO"
"RHODES / Siege of Kimberley, 15th Oct. 1899 - 15th Feb. 1900".
"KITCHENER / Appointed Commander-in-Chief in South Africa, 30th Nov. 1900".

"South African War Post Card, No. 2".

Printer/publisher: "Geo. Stewart & Co., Edin."
"Photos. by Elliott & Fry".

Note the tethered observation balloon attached to the armoured train.




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I don't believe anyone has posted this Tasmanian Returned Soldiers' Association badge yet.

"TASMANIAN SOUTH AFRICAN R.S.A. / 1899-1902".

Reverse with maker's mark "GOLDING" (Golding & Sons, Vice-regal jewellers, corner of Liverpool and Elizabeth Streets, Hobart).




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Interestingly, the Australian Returned Soldiers' Association / South African Soldiers' Association was not formed until January/February 1908.


Melbourne Age, 14th January 1908

Arrangements have been made for the holding of a meeting at Bendigo on Thursday for the purpose of considering the formation of a returned soldiers' association. Sir John Quick, M.P., who has interested himself in the movement, will preside, and he has already obtained vice-regal patronage for the association should it be decided to form one. The proposal has also the approval of the Defence department. The idea is to keep all those who went to South Africa in touch with each other by means of an association which would have branches in all the States.


North Western Advocate, 13th June 1908

The Returned Soldiers.

OFFICIAL RECOGNITION GIVEN.

PART OF NATIONAL RESERVES.

A deputation, representative of the Returned Soldiers' Association of Australia, and headed by Sir John Quick, M.P., and Messrs Kelly and Maloney, M's.P., waited on the Minister of Defence at Parliament House, Melbourne, with the object of securing official recognition at the hands of the Government in return for an offer by the association members to consider themselves part of the future National Reserve. The deputation sought a distinctive khaki uniform and permission to have a place assigned to them at military parades and ceremonial functions. It was stated by several speakers that there were now in Australia 3,000 men who had belonged to the Australian contingents sent to South Africa in connection with the Boer war. The association had done its best to seek these men put and to keep them together, so that they might be available for military service in the case of an emergency. The Minister for Defence said he was favourably inclined towards the suggestion made to him. He would recommend that official recognition be given to the association, and that its members be given a place at parades on days like Empire Day, and at functions like those about to be held in connection with the American fleet. He would ask the Cabinet to supply the desired uniforms.


Melbourne Leader, 8th August 1908

SOUTH AFRICAN SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

The South African Soldiers' Association of Victoria was formed in Melbourne on 7th February, 1908, with branches at Bendigo and Ballarat. Its objects are to foster a spirit of loyalty and patriotism to the King among members, to help each other in fighting the battle of life, and to keep green the memory of fallen comrades. Membership is open to any officer, N.C.O. or man who served in the late South African war, and the subscription is 5/- annually. The president is Lieutenant-Colonel Johnston, V.D., with four vice-presidents, a treasurer, and a general committee is elected from representatives of each Victorian contingent, and one member to represent all other corps.






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