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Extremely well done to save both medals-fortunately the fire was not hot enough for the medals to sag and they could be rescued.

Picture courtesy of Noble Numismatics

QSA (2) Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (C.S.Hawkins. Bshvldt:Cbnrs:) Impressed and number and rank erased.

Noble Numismatics say only 57 medals issued named to Bushveldt Carbineers or Pietersburg Light Horse as many unit members also served in other units.

142 Trooper Charles Smith Hawkins confirmed on nominal roll of Bushveldt Carbineers.

Information from the book titled The Bushveldt Carbineers and the Pietersburg Light Horse by William (Bill) Woolmore, p204, 'Hawkins Charles Smith, Trooper No.142 (BVC): Born Derbyshire, England on 8 March 1869. Previous service with the 20th Coy Imperial Yeomanry, and as No.25225 in the Commander-in-Chief's Bodyguard as Trooper C.E.Hawkins from 1 December 1900 to 21 January 1901 when he was discharged as 'undesirable'. Enlisted in the BVC at Durban on 11 April 1901 - age 32, engineer, height 5' 9", 9 stone, brown eyes, black hair. NOK: William Hawkins, Blackbrook Belber, Derbyshire, England. Note on bottom of attestation form reads 'This man came from Montreal, Canada to take part in the war'. Discharged from BVC on 8 October 1901. He qualified for the QSA medal with clasps Cape Colony, OFS, Transvaal & SA 1901 but because of his behaviour he was awarded the medal with Transvaal and SA 1901 only. His medal was one of the few actually named 'Bushveldt Carbineers'. He privately had the rank removed from his medal which would indicate he did not admit to being a mere trooper.' (his medal illustrated at Fig 38, p204 of above book)

The BVC attestation For Charles Smith Hawkins

Example of a QSA named to the Bushveldt Carbineers

Picture courtesy of Morton and Eden

QSA (3) Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (20 Tpr. J. P. Vorster. B’Veldt Cbnrs.)

Described as: Johannis Petrus Vorster of the Bushveldt Carbineers is confirmed on the medal rolls. The Bushveldt Carbineers were formed mainly of colonial troops and Boer renegades, and is especial especially noted for being the unit that Lieutenant Harry ‘Breaker’ Morant served with, who along with Lieutenant Peter Handcock were executed in Pretoria for killing Boer prisoners and a German missionary. He later saw service with the Pietersburg Light Horse, F.I.D. and Army Service Corps.

The QSA to Trooper Vorster sold for a hammer price of GBP 1,400. Totals (VAT UK only): GBP 1,736. R37,800. Au$3,390. Can$3,090. US$2,200.