TOPIC:

Great info, Smethwick. In my post 76456 I had estimated 1000 to 1300 MM and QSA combinations. This 1 in 50 sample helps to confirm the estimate, although possibly the result is a bit on high side. 178k QSAs apparently. At 1 in 50 that would give about 3500 MM and QSA combinations...still a few more to find, whichever calculation you adopt!
Ian

I thought I had been down the rabbit hole with Knowles and the unit on his KSA before, and found it - from over 10 years ago! We didn't solve the conundrum of S A S then (or is it S H S?!).
Ian
britishmedalforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=483656#p483656

I did have a look the other day and could not find his KSA by ant of the usual methods.

I can contact the Tank Museum, pass to them the information you have collated and ask about the naming on the KSA.

It would be good to resolve this mystery.

David
The Knowles conundrum deepens! I got in touch with the Tank Corps Museum yesterday and here is the very prompt reply
"I’m afraid that we only hold information regarding Knowles’ Tank Corps service and not his service prior to joining the Corps. However, I can tell you that he was awarded the South Africa medals as part of the Essex Yeomanry and that the engraving on the rim of the King’s South Africa Medal is 1072 “W.O. CL2 W.A. KNOWLES ESSEX YEO”"
If that's officially named as part of the reissue to his widow, the authorities were hoodwinked! The Essex Imperial Yeomanry was formed only in December 1901 and did not serve in South Africa (although a few individuals joined the IY and managed to get out in time to pick up the QSA). While Knowles held that rank with Essex Yeo in WW1 and that is what appears on his WW1 pair, the rank didn't appear in the British Army till 1915. Oh, and we know who 1072 was in the Essex Yeo and it wasn't Knowles!
I think we are reaching a conclusion, borne out by his absence from the rolls for the KSA or even ( as far as we can tell) a date clasp. He wasn't entitled, IMHO. I will ask the museum what the naming is on the QSA, for interest's sake.
The other helpful thing from revisiting Knowles is the discovery of the fabulous Tank Corps enlistment books at Findmypast. Extract for Knowles doesn't even mention his ABW service, even though we know he was there! He re-enlisted the day after his discharge in April 1920 and served continuously until his death.
Ian

Ian,

That is excellent information and explains why we have been unable to track down his KSA.

Many thanks
David

Picture courtesy of Spink

MM GV (R-34572 Pte. B. Aylwin. 2/K.R.Rif:C);
QSA (4) Cape Colony, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen (7002 Pte B.G. Aylwin, 1st Rl. Sussex Regt);
BWM and VM (R-34572 Pte. B.G. Alywin. K.R.Rif.C.), note spelling ;
Special Constabulary Long Service, GV (Benjamin G. Aylwin.).

MM LG 23 July 1919.

Benjamin Gordon Aylwin was born at Siddlesham, Chichester, Sussex in 1879 and served with the Volunteer Company of the Royal Sussex Regiment during the Second Anglo-Boer War. A note of the medal roll additionally stating: 'Employed as a civil Baker by Mr. Ashley, Market Square, Bloemfontein'. He saw later service with the 2nd Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps during the Great War. In his retirement Aylwin was a Chelsea Pensioner.