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That's a pleasing medal, Mike, I find it interesting that he was posted to number 14 Battery RFA for just five days, whilst in South Africa, after the war, still I dare say his life then was certainly rather more interesting than life might have been in Dublin.

QSAMIKE wrote: Here is another Q Battery RHA.....

13026 Gunner James McDonnell, “Q” Battery - Royal Horse Artillery

Enlisted: January 3rd, 1896
Age: 18 Years – 0 Months
Parish of: St. Thomas
Town and County of: Dublin
Occupation: Farm Labourer
Previous Service: Micklow Artillery (SDRA) – (Released for Transfer into Regular Army)
Height, Weight, Chest: 5’ 7” – 133 Lbs – 35/37 Inches
Declared Fit for Duty

STATEMENT OF SERVICE:

Enlisted: Crown Hill: 10-1-96
Posted: Royal Horse Artillery (Depot)
Transferred: “Q” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery – 23-10-96
Granted: GC Pay 03-01-98
Transferred: “U” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery – 01-12-01
Granted: GC Pay 03-01-02
Promoted: Gunner 05-09-02
Transferred: “T” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery – 10-09-02

Mike

Q Battery VCs

'An awkward moment: Q Battery charged by the enemy

On June 12 [1900], when General Broadwood's cavalry was attempting to turn the left of Commandant Botha's position, fifteen miles from Pretoria, the fighting was very severe. Broadwood advanced against the kopjes to the front, the Mounted Infantry protecting his left and Gordon's cavalry his right. Preceiving a gap in the enemy's line behind which two guns were firing shrapnel with damaging accuracy, Broadwood determined to attempt to cut this in order to break up the Boers' first line and reduce their artillery fire. Q Battery galloped for the gap an unlimbered. The Boers, seeing an opportunity, did what they have rarely done before. A large mounted body charged in close formation across the open up to within 600 yards of the battery and opened a murderous rifle fire. There was but one way to extricate the guns. The 12th Lancers were ordered into the open in front, where they formed and charged. The enemy did not wait long enough for the squadrons to get really home. They scattered, but ten were left dead or severely wounded, and the guns were saved.'

From Spink, 5 December 2002.

QSA (7) RoC Paard Drie Joh DH Witt SA01 (62550 Sgt J Baker QB RHA). SA01 clasp loose

A slightly later issue though struck from a 1st type QSA die.