TOPIC:

There are 6 QSAs to the Worcester Regiment in the next Bonhams sale.

www.bonhams.com/auctions/26019/?bid_lot_...st&q1=Worcester&m1=1

David,
Many thanks for posting this. Definitely of interest to me.
Cheers
Steve

3147 PRIVATE HERBERT LINK. 2ND BATTALION WORCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. M.I.D.

QUEEN'S SOUTH AFRICA
CLASPS :CAPE COLONY /TRANSVAAL/WITTEBERGEN
KING'S SOUTH AFRICA
CLASPS:SA1901/SA1902
CONDITION:BOTH GVF. BRIGHT

Herbert Link was born in Alveley, near Bridgnorth, Shropshire in 1873. The Census of 1881 finds him living with his parents George (stone Quarry man) and Ann along with siblings Arthur, Charles
, William and George. The family resided at 32 The Village, Alveley. The Link family are a well known local family.
In the 1891 Census Herbert is working as a farm servant for the Warder family at The Hay, Alveley Lane, Alveley.
Herbert attested to the Worcestershire Regiment on the 12th February 1892 at Curragh (writing difficult to read). His age is given as 19 years and 6 months. His height 5 feet 5 inches with a weight of 129 pounds. His chest measured 33 inches minimum and 35 inches maximum. He was brown haired, blue eyed and was of a fresh complexion. He had a scar on his right thumb.
His religious denomination was that of Church of England.
His next of kin was his father George of Yew Tree Cottage at Alveley (which is still standing and vastly improved from the former quarrymans domicile).
Herbert served at home from 08/02/1892 till February 1893, then East India 20th February 1893 till 12/11/1896. Returning to home service 14/11/1896. He was transferred to the army reserve in February 1899 and recalled to the colours 4th December 1899.
His service papers confirm that Link was arrested on 14/01/1901 and subsequently tried by court martial, whilst on active service in South Africa, being sentenced to 84 days imprisonment on 16/01/1901. He eventually resumes duty on 09/04/1901.
Private Link was mentioned in the dispatch of Lord Kitchener dated 08/03/1901 which was published in the London Gazette of 07/05/1901.
2 sergeants and 4 privates were mentioned in this particular dispatch with the 4 privates being additionally promoted to the rank of corporal. For Link this also meant that the remaining unexpired portion of his imprisonment was "remitted for distinguished conduct in the field". His previously forfeited Good Conduct pay was also restored leaving Link with a very interesting service record.
Unfortunately, the MID does not specify the action to which his distinguished conduct pertained. However, it is very likely that it was for the action at Nooitgedacht on 13/12/1900 when the 2nd Battalion of the Worcesters formed part of a force under General Clements that was attacked by a combined force of two Boer commandos under Delarey and Beyers. Kitchener was impressed by the way the officers and men under Clements defended themselves at Nooitgedacht.
It is also likely that as one of the old boys and crack marksmen of the 2nd Battalion that Link may have been present at Slingersfontein. Alas, I have no firm (pardon the regimental motto pun) evidence that this is the case.
Herbert Link's military service ended with his transfer to the reserve on 30th January 1903.

Back in civvy street the 1911 Census gives Herbert's profession as a Delver in a stone Quarry. This would have been hard graft involving digging out rock from blasting, spoil heaps etc. At the time Shropshire was very well known for it's quarrying business (as an aside, a visit to the workings at Clee Hill is recommended and what a view!).
Herbert was married to Mary Ann(married 1899)who I believe he met while working for the Warder family where she was a general servant. They had 4 sons Frederick Herbert, Dennis, Ernest John and Cecil and a daughter Dorothy.
Herbert Link died in the fourth quarter of 1914 aged just 41 in the district of Bridgnorth.
I have visited the cemetery at St. Mary the Virgin in the village of Alveley which is close to where I currently live and could find no trace of Herbert's final resting place. However, there was a headstone for his son Frederick Herbert Link and two other people with the Link surname. Many graves are dilapidated and the headstone missing, so perhaps he is resting in the place of his birth many miles away from the location of his bravery and gallant conduct with the Worcesters in South Africa.

Hi Steve
Many thanks for sharing Herbert's medal. When the pandemic restrictions are lifted would it be possible for you to check the church records to locate Herbert's resting place? I'm sure you were at the right church. Maybe there is a churchyard plan in the archives somewhere. Good luck. And thanks again for sharing Private Links story .

Hi Dave,
Glad you appreciated Private Link's biography.
I do have the vicar Neil Dunlops contacts so hopefully will be able to locate his last resting place soon.
Cheers Steve

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (4) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4066 Corpl: P. Quigley, Worcester: Regt.);
1914 Star, with clasp (4066 L. Sjt. P. Quigley. 2/Worc: R.);
British War and Victory Medals (4066 Corpl. P. Quigley. Worc. R.)

Percy Edgar Quigley was born in the Parish of St Bartholomew, London, and attested for the Worcestershire Regiment on 16 May 1894, aged 14 years, a musician by trade. He served with the 2nd Battalion in South Africa from 25 June 1901, and was promoted to Corporal on 20 June 1902.

He next served in Ceylon and the East Indies from October 1904 to November 1907, and, following a period at home, served in India from March 1911 to October 1912, before returning home again.

He served with the Expeditionary Force in France from 12 August to 19 September 1914, and afterwards at home with the 5th (Militia) Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment until 15 May 1916, when he was discharged on completion of his second period of engagement.

He died in Aldershot on 25 December 1961, aged 81.