TOPIC:

Travelling search light. Captain Percy Scott, of the Terrible, with considerable ingenuity designed this useful adjunct to the army in the field, and it was used with effect for signalling between Chieveley Camp and Ladysmith.



Source: www.angloboerwar.com/forum/11-research/3...9-1900?start=0#88756

J.E. Middlebrook, the Durban-based photographer, took a second photograph of this scene one minute later (according to Durban City Hall clock). This time, some of Terrible's ratings have rifles in their hands, with one (on the left) attempting to strike a menacing pose. The remainder failed to respond to Middlebrook's direction "look more aggressive".

Middlebrook's title: 'A NIGHT OWL' - SEARCH LIGHT SIGNALLER (CLOSED) USED BY OUR FORCES TO TALK TO EACH OTHER AT NIGHT NOW AT THE FRONT - BOER WAR 1899









This second photograph shows another searchlight setup, this time to facilitate railway repair work during the night at Ladysmith. Photographed by J. Wallace Bradley, Durban.



"Searchlight and Dynamo used for rebuilding line at night, Ladysmith"


...

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (0) (R. H. Williams. S.S.B. H.M.S. Terrible);
[ 1914 Star, British War and Victory Medals ]

Spink say this rank, Ship's Steward Boy, is scarce.

The recipient is listed as having been issued with a replacement.

Richard H. Williams served as Ship's Steward Boy with HMS Terrible during the Second Anglo Boer War. Williams is noted as having returned to service during the Great War serving as an Able Seaman with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, he saw service with Hawke Battalion during the war.

Spink says he was erroneously further issued with a 1914-15 Star.

QSA with Tugela Heights and Relief of Ladysmith clasps named: 174665 A-B: F.G. Smith, H:M:S: Terrible
Frederick Gardiner Smith, was a native of, Edmonton, London, England, where he was born on, 14 August 1877. By trade(s) a 'Shop Boy', Frederick joined the Royal Navy on, 1 July 1893. His first posting on joining the Royal Navy was to the training ship H.M.S. Impregnable, when he was rated Boy II Class. His early postings, included service in the Far East, on the China Station, where in Hong Kong Colony, he mustered at H.M.S. Tamar, the Hong Kong 'Depot Ship' between, 14 June - 16 August 1895. His service with H.M.S. Tamar was just a prelude to another Far East posting, when he joined the flagship of the China Fleet, the battleship H.M.S. Centurion, on which he served from 17 August 1895 to 31 March 1897. His service aboard Centurion was memorable, as she sailed far and wide 'Flying the Flag; in the Far East, including a visit to Japan, where she ran aground on a sandbank at Shimonoseki, Japan in June 1896, but was not damaged. The last ship that Smith served aboard was H.M.S. Terrible, with he served as a crew member from 7 September 1899 to 31 March 1900. After serving ashore as Bluejacket with the Naval Brigade at the battle of Tugela Heights, and in the Defense of Ladysmith, sadly Smith contracted 'Enteric Fever', and died of disease at Durban Hospital, Durban, Natal Colony, on, 31 March 1900. The campaign medal that Smith qualified for, was subsequently sent, on, 16 October 1901, to to his notified next-of-kin, his father. Smith is buried in the Military Cemetery in Durban.

A really nice medal and excellent write-up. Many thanks.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (1) Natal (168187 E:R:A: J. Collins. H.M.S. Terrible);
China (0) (J. Collins. E.R.A. 2Cl., H.M.S. Terrible);
1914-15 Star (168187. J. Collins. C.E.R.A., R.N.);
British War Medal (168187 J. Collins. C.E.R.A.1. R.N.);
Victory Medal 1914-19, naming erased;
Royal Navy LS&GC EdVII (168187 James Collins. E.R.A. 1Cl. H.M.S. Assistance.)

James Collins was born in Portsmouth on 1 April 1871 and joined the Royal Navy as an Acting Engine Room Artificer Fourth Class on 16 June 1892. Confirmed in that rate on 19 September 1893, he was promoted Engine Room Artificer Third Class on 16 June 1895, and served in HMS Terrible from 24 March 1898, being promoted Engine Room Artificer Second Class on 16 June 1899. He served in Terrible during both the Boer War and the Boxer Rebellion, and was promoted Engine Room Artificer First Class on 14 June 1904.

He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 8 June 1907, and having been advanced Chief Engine Room Artificer First Class on 26 October 1913 saw further service during the Great War, predominately in HMS Assistance.

He was invalided out of the service on 20 November 1919.