TOPIC:

It gets better! The SANLC (Corps) is my favourite SA unit of WW1. The medals to the white NCOs are nearly as scarce as Cape Infantry QSAs.

In my experience these guys have a rich and interesting story, they are usually older than the average soldier in WW1 as they have long experience in working with Africans, are multi-lingual and serial enlisters in WW1 keen to do their bit. His ABW story maybe interesting too, many SANLC NCOs I've come across worked on the mines which gave them experience managing Africans. As Murphy was in/about Cape Town during the ABW perhaps he was a refugee from the Rand in 1899.

Let us know what the service papers say.

QSAMIKE wrote: The War Medal is named: Cpl. W. J. Murphy, S.A.N.L.C. (South African Native Labour Corps) [ Contingent?]

Mike

OH Yes the ribbon on the QSA is original silk......

SWB wrote: Evening Mike - well done, a good punt!

SA WW1 medal naming can be a right mess.

The WWI unit is SA??

Hope his WW1 papers provide a good read for you.

Picture courtesy of BobShop

QSA (0) (Pte L. D. Becker. Cape Infty:)

Would this be the 'Cape Infantry' that was formed as a full-time element of the Cape Peninsula Regiment (i.e. Cape Peninsula town guards) in February 1902, and disbanded later in the year?

Arthur,

Tylden says a unit of this name ws in existence between 1882 and 1886 and that 'A small unit of the same name was raised as Lines of Communication troops during the S.A. War of 1899 and stationed in the N.W. districts of the Cape.'

Best wishes
David

Picture courtesy of Morton and Eden

QSA (1) Cape Colony (Cpl. J. Muil. Cape Infty.);
Volunteer Long Service VR, unnamed as issued;
Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service EdVII (No. 80 Sgt. J. Muil C.P.R.), engraved, with an erased portion on the rim following;

M&S say 'J Muil of the Cape Infantry cannot be found on the medal rolls, however a 2898 Trooper J. Muil of the Imperial Horse is on the rolls - but is only entitled to the Orange Free State and Transvaal clasps and not the Cape Colony.'

The role for the Cape Infantry is listed by surname within rank. J Muil is listed with the other Corporals on WO100/280p177



This suggests his service dates were 26 April - 3 May 1902.