TOPIC:

I have a QSA/KSA pair impressed to "29573 Gnr L. Curran 4th M.B. R.G.A." on QSA and "R.G.A" only on KSA. Clasps on QSA are "Rhod", "Tug.Hts","OFS", "R of L" and "Tvaal". Some time ago, I obtained a CD of R.A. nominal rolls for the QSA and was intrigued to see that 29573 was the only man in 4th M.B. with a "yes" in the "Rhodesia" clasp column. His entitlement entry had a notation: "68/ART/4172A" and in very small letters "Transvaal issued". I should also say that the "yes" in the "Rhodesia" column has a little "x" above it; like many other "yesses" for other clasps for other men.
I invite forum members to comment on this clasp entitlement, please. Is such a clasp entitlement possible? Is it possible that Gnr. L.Curran was somehow seconded to Rhodesia to train others on the Mountain Gun? Was the "yes" just a mistake?
To conclude, Gnr. L.Curran later was awarded a LSCG in 1917 and finally applied for his 14/15 Star trio in 1934. I do not have the latter four medals.

Morning Ian,

This is an interesting one.

There is a Supplementary roll for Lawrence Curran in the 63rd Co RGA (WO100/145p75) which notes his previous service in the 4th MB and that a 3 clasp QSA was issued. The note says his joined the 63th Co in Sept 1902 having transferred to the 56th Co (at a date I can't quite read but perhaps 22 Mar 1902).

The QSA roll for the 63rd Co (WO100/145p67) lists OFS TH & RoL with a note saying he transferred to the 63rd Co on 15 Apr 1902.

The TR clasp is contained on WO100/146p63. The KSA(2) is on WO100/310p309.

The QSA roll page of interest is WO100/146p49. This clearly shows the Rhodesia clasp with a *Yes to show it is a later addition. I thought it might have been a mistake for the Tr clasp and, while this may be the case and hence the additional entry on page 63, the Rhodesia clasp appears official and should be marked as a confirmed oddity and a very nice one at that!

Kind regards
David

David
Thanks for the info on Gunner L. Curran. Perhaps one day the reason for the issue of the "Rhodesia" clasp will be known.
Regards
Ian Linney.

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (3) Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (21344 Gnr: W. H. Parke, 4th. M.B., R.G.A.)

W H Parke served with the 4th Mountain Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery in South Africa during the Boer War, and died of disease at Pretoria on 21 November 1900.

Picture courtesy of Morton and Eden

QSA (2) Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith (96562 Gnr: F. Richards, 4th M.B., R.G.A)

I have 2 x QSAs for 6460 Gnr R Keel and 85327 Gnr W Robinson of 4th Mountain Battery which was rushed out from the mountain artillery depot at Newport when 10 MB became apparently non-effective after Nicholsons Nek at the end of 1899. The battery in Newport had been the training depot for Royal Artillery mountain gunners since 1889. Both batteries were employed after Ladysmith for the rest of the war with mountain screw guns and ad hoc gun equipment in support of the later stages. I also have a QSA for 99033 O’Grady who was one of the majority of 10th Mountain Battery who made it back into Ladysmith after some (including most officers) were captured at Nicolsons Nek. Under the Battery 2ic Capt J Hudson, they were key to the defence of the town and also participated in operations in the second part of the war.