TOPIC:

Marshall is mentioned in the John Harwin (tpr 818) diary at the Killie Campbell collection. In it Harwin describes the fight at Witklip on July 7, saying: "Poor old Marshall our sergeant took command as all the other sergeants and officers were knocked over and the chap cheered up the rest till a bullet (ugly Martini) made a big hole through his lungs.
Witklip is also referred to as Rietfontein, which was their base shortly befoer the action at Witklip
There had been an early mention of Sgt Marshall, when Harwin says "Easter Sunday: Sgt Marshall, McEwan Frank King and I walked to a lovely Kloof where a hotel had been built. We got a splendid dinner and a snug retreat for the day." You may know that these chaps were all in No 1 troop, B Squadron. Harwin complains they always got the dirty work....

Here is a question for which your suggestions are sought. I bought a medal to George Simpson, 2nd ILH, which has only one clasp: Cape Colony. The rolls tell me he is entitled to SA 01. But here's the strange bit : Simpson enlisted on 6 December, 1900 in Durban. and posted to G squadron. It is noted on the nominal roll that he died of wounds on 15 February ar Hamelfontein, a farm near Philipstown in the Cape Colony, near the border of the Free State.
Our Colonials in South Africa records:
In January 1901 many troops were sent from the Transvaal to Cape Colony in consequence of the reinvasion of the Colony by De Wet's men.  About the end of January a portion of the 2nd Regiment ILH was railed from the Eastern Transvaal to the south, and in the beginning of February detachments of ILH, South African Light Horse, and Nesbitt's Horse came in contact with the enemy about Colesberg.  Between 3rd and 23rd February there was almost constant skirmishing, and many stiffly contested rearguard actions.  On the 10th Lieutenant D. Farquharson and two men of the ILH were wounded; one of the men died of his wounds. (Presumably Simpson).
How does Simpson not qualify for at least the Orange Free State clasp, if not Transvaal, because the ILH training depot was based at Irene, in the Transvaal?

Mark,

When I first looked at his roll page (WO100/251p64), I thought ditto marks had been used to replicate the entry for Trooper Stanley on line 1 but closer inspection shows these are dots and probably indicate a lack of entitlement.



The roll was created in early 1902 so it may be that George's movements from a year previously were not known or remembered with the result that the compiler recorded only the state where he was known to have served?

I posted this in a different thread yesterday but it is definitely worth repeating here.


Picture courtesy of Noble Numismatics

DSO Ed VII;
QSA (7) Cape Colony, Relief of Mafeking, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (Major. G.T.M.Bridges, Imp: L. H.);
AGS 1902 (2) Somaliland 1902-04, Jidballi (Bt:Maj. G.T.M.Bridges, D.S.O. R.F.A.);
1914 Star, - clasp - 5th Aug.-22nd Nov. 1914 (unnamed);
BWM (unnamed);
VM with MID (unnamed)

Together with a book titled, Alarms & Excursions, Reminiscences of a Soldier by Lieut-Gen. Sir Tom Bridges K.C.B., K.C.M.G., D.S.O., LL.D, with a foreword by The Rt. Hon. Winston Churchill P.C., C.H., M.P., hard cover, pp361.

DSO: LG 6/9/1904 to Captain and Brevet Major Goerge Tom Molesworth Bridges in recognition of services during the operations in Somaliland.

MID: 8/2/1901 and 29/7/1902 and WWI: 19/10/1914, 15/12/1914, 17/2/1915, 13/4/1915, 22/6/1915, 1/1/1916, 12/1/1916, 4/1/1917, 27/2/1918.

Also awarded Commander Legion of Honour 3rd and 4th Classes (France); Croix de Guerre with 2 Palmes (France); Order of Leopold 4th Class (Belgium); Grand Cross 1st Class and 2nd Class of the Order of the Crown (Belgium); Croix de Guerre with Palme (Belgium); Order of Danneborg (Denmark); Order of the Crown 2nd Class (Italy); Distinguished Service Medal (USA).

George Tom Molesworth Bridges, born 20Aug1871, the son of Major T.W.Bridges Royal (late Bengal) Artillery and Mary Ann Bridges (nee Philippi); joined Royal Artillery 19Feb1892; to Lieutenant 19Feb1895; to Captain 05Apr1900; served in Boer War and was given Brevet of Major 22Aug1902; served in Somaliland as Special Service Officer 1902-04; Staff Captain and later G.S.O.3, HQs of Army Feb-Nov1901; Instructor at Cavalry School Dec1907-Jun1908; to Major with 4th Dragoons 19Aug1908; served as Military Attache at The Hague, Brussels, Copenhagen and Christiania Mar1910-Mar1914; to Lt-Colonel of 4th Hussars 20Sep1914; WWI: Head of Military Mission with Belgian Field Army; CO of 19Div Dec1915-Oct1917 with a brief absence as a Military Member of Mr. Balfour's Mission to USA; to Maj-General 01Jan1917; Temp Lt-General Apr-Jun1917; Head of British War Mission to USA in 1918; Temp Lt-General Jan1919; Chief of British Military Mission to the Army of the Orient 09Jan1920.

During the Anglo-Boer War George Bridges was an officer in the Imperial Light Horse. He also was in command of the 5th and 6th West Australian Mounted Infantry from May to July 1901. He led the relief columns into both Ladysmith and Mafeking. During the war he was twice mentioned in despatches and was also severely wounded. In 1904 he was sent to Somaliland where he raised and commanded the Tribal Horse and was again severely wounded this time at the Battle of Jidballi. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order during this campaign.

At the start of WWI Bridges' unit was the first British unit to engage the Germans. He later commanded the 15th Division in France and was wounded a further three times including having his leg blown off. In 1917 he went to the United States of America with the Balfour Mission in order to consolidate American involvement in the war. He was the senior military member of the mission and was awarded the USA Distinguished Service Medal.

In 1922 he accepted an appointment as Governor of South Australia following urging by his friend and admirer, Winston Churchill. He took up the post on 4 December 1922. Bridges held very conservative views and did not get along very well with the Labor Government that was in control for some of the time of his tenure. When his term of office ended on 4 December 1927 he refused a second term as governor and returned to England. In retirement he wrote his memoirs (see book in this lot) which was published in 1938. Sir George Tom Molesworth Bridges KCB, KCMG, DSO, (known as Sir Tom Bridges), died on 26 November 1939 at Brighton, United Kingdom.

Ex. W (Bill) Woolmore Collection.

Thank you for that David. The poor lad had so little time in the unit that his movements between Pmb to Irene and to the unit may well have been overlooked, especially when everything was kicking off. That is one of the fascinating aspects of the QSA claps; there are so many 'what-ifs'.
Stay safe. Regards, Mark

Results from this morning's Noble Numismatics auction:

George Tom Molesworth Bridges sold for a hammer price of Au$7,000. Totals: £4,543. R93,100. Au$8,540. Can$7,900. US$6,310

18 Tpr J.Marshall sold for a hammer price of Au$2,600. Totals: £1,687. R34,600. Au$3,170. Can$2,940. US$2,350