Good heavens, Mike, a real bargain there, notwithstanding, I suppose I should not be too surprised, a great many ignorant people, will simply respond to what they can see themselves and nothing more, although, I must say any QSA actually cheaper than a bottle of Jameson's, which retails here for as little as £12, is indeed, perhaps, rather surprising, given the scrap value!
It is a very rare medal, once you had a state of martial law, after it's declaration and the very serious matter of the second invasion with the direct threat of impending rebellion within the Colony, with all the unpleasantness that follows, you have men like Hill, who are stuck in the middle of it all and potentially are left to pick up the wretched pieces of what remains.
The model, of the both the irregular and a special police that was pursued in the Cape Colony was, perhaps unsurprisingly, copied in the Transvaal by the provisional administration during the war.
Quite frankly, the situation in the Cape was absolutely dire, you had an enemy consisting of a great many, really appalling thugs, intent on stirring up a race war, wretched Scheepers and Maritz as well as the various rebels, who thought nothing of murder and arson, you only need glance at the events at Calvina.
Native members of the Special Mounted Police, in particular, exposed themselves to a very great risk and they would have certainly required very considerable courage on a daily basis, moreover, it was certainly a very particular courage that is not found in the heat of battle, it was, far more, a rather cold courage, a very special attribute that few people naturally are able to find and keep to the fore ever day.
Had they been caught, a fairly unpleasant end was almost certainly guaranteed, a favourite "party piece" of certain enemy individuals was to "plant" an enemy, rather like a flower bulb in the ground, with only ones head left upon the surface and simply let nature do the rest.
I did send you the whole relevant section of WO100/279, if you require further clarification, let me know.
A superb medal, I should be delighted with it if I were you.
QSAMIKE wrote: Good Afternoon Ryan and Meurig.....
Thank you for the information it clears up a number of questions......
Frank......
No it was not expensive, less than an expensive bottle of Jamieson's (L 140.00)that I bought while on holidays this summer.....
I saw it for sale and just had a feeling so picked it up......
Mike
