TOPIC:

The rank naming of the medal to F M Hall

David and others interested in the topic
Yes, sometimes medals to the RE can be very interesting when the rolls are consulted to see the individual's service. About twenty or so years ago, I did see offered on that well-known on-line auction site a single clasp (Cape Colony) QSA engraved to "Wireless Section". I had a go for it, but it went high even for those days. So much for those who would give us the line that the British army of those days was completely reactionary. My long- ago C/I training still leads me to think that even a crude wireless system would have made the guerrilla phase of the conflict much easier to prosecute - the Marconi not being reliant on laid cable and interference thereto.
Unfortunately, the wagon-carried Marconi system could not be made to work; the source you quote blames the arid conditions, and a source I read blamed the high concentration of iron-stone which interfered in transmission and reception.
Regards
IL.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (3) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (25518. Cpl. G. N. Goodenough. R.E.);
KSA (2) (25518 Corpl: G. N. Goodenough. R.E.);
Army LS&GC EdVII (25518 Cpl. G. N. Goodenough. R.E.), heavy contact marks, minor edge bruising, nearly very fine

George Nicolas Goodenough was born at Portsea Island, Hampshire in January 1871, the son of William and Caroline Goodenough, of 179 Somers Road, Portsea. His father worked as a county court bailiff whilst the younger Goodenough became a plumber before attesting at St. George’s Barracks, Chatham on 21 January 1891. He was to see Home Service until 19 February 1893 when a posting to Gibraltar saw him join the garrison there for over a year before moving on to Malta for another four being promoted Lance Corporal on 3 August 1899.

On the outbreak of the war in South Africa Goodenough was posted to the Cape, arriving there on 18 October 1899. Here he was to serve for the next three years where the work involved repairing telegraph lines, examining and maintaining railway lines and constructing bridge, all under the threat of attack and occasionally even under fire. Promoted Corporal on 1 May 1902 Goodenough returned to Britain on 28 October that same year.

This was not to be the end of his colonial service however with special secondments to Sierra Leone from 8 February 1907-8 February 1908 and the Gold Coast from 21 January 1910-19 January 1912- though this latter involving some home leave. He was finally discharged on 14 March 1912, it is clear that his time in Africa had affected his health as Goodenough twice requested a doctor in 1912 before dying in Fulham, London on 28 July 1912.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

DCM GV (134 C. S. Mjr: G. R. Jolliffe. 1/2 Hants: A.T. Co: R.E.-T.F.);
QSA (4) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (6106 Sapr. G. Jolliffe. R.E.);
1914-15 Star (134, C. S. Mjr. G. R. Jolliffe. R.E.);
British War and Victory Medals (134 W.O. Cl. 2. G. R. Jolliffe. R.E.);
Defence Medal;
Territorial Force Efficiency Medal Ed VII with Second Award Bar (134 Sjt: G. R. Jolliffe. Hants: (FTS.) R.E.)

DCM London Gazette 14 January 1916 (citation details appearing in London Gazette 11 March 1916): ‘For conspicuous gallantry; he assisted his Officer to collect and organise stragglers. He also got ammunition to the firing line under very hot fire.’ [Cambrin Area]

George Robert Jolliffe served with the 1st Hampshire, Royal Engineers during the Second Boer War. He re-enlisted in the Hampshire (Fortress), Royal Engineers in April 1908 (awarded the T.F.E.M. in April 1911, and the Second Award Bar in November 1920). Jolliffe served during the Great War with the the 1/2nd Hampshire Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers (T.F.) in the French theatre of war from 18 January 1915 (entitled to Silver War Badge). He advanced to Warrant Officer Class 2, and was discharged, 6 June 1919.

pictures courtesy of Bearnes Hamptpn and Littlewood

QSA (3) CC OFS Tr (26893 Cpl. J. Ponsford. RE);
KSA (2) (26893 Cpl. J. Ponsford. RE);
1915-15 Star (?)

Described only as: South African group of three to '26893 Cpl. J. Ponsford. RE', Queen's South Africa Medal with two clasps, King's South Africa Medal with two clasps, 1914-1915 Star.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

MBE (Military) Member’s 1st type breast badge, silver, hallmarks for London 1919;
QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (9956 Spr: A. Hudson, Tel: Bn: R.E.);
British War and Victory Medals, with MID (Capt. A. Hudson.);
Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued;
Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, GV (113 Sjt: A. Hudson. 15/Lond: Regt.);
Belgium, Kingdom, Croix de Guerre, A.I.R., bronze.

Together with the recipient’s Italian Altipiani Regimental medal, silver.

MBE London Gazette 3 June 1919: ‘For valuable services rendered in connection with military operations in Italy.’

Belgian Croix de Guerre London Gazette 15 April 1918: ‘For distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign.’

Alfred Hudson attested for the Royal Engineers and served with the Telegraph Battalion, RE, in South Africa during the Boer War. He subsequently served with the 15th Battalion, London Regiment (Territorial Forces), and was awarded the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal per Army Order 288 of October 1912.

Hudson was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers on 9 November 1915, and served during the Great War on the Western Front from 17 June 1916, being Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 18 May 1917). Proceeding to the Italian theatre, he was advanced Captain and was created a MBE.