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Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (6) Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (2408. Serjt: W. Coe. 6/Drgn: Gds:);
KSA (2) (2408 S. Sjt:-Maj:R.R. W. J. Coe 6th Dragoon Gds:);
Army LS&GC Ed VII (2408 S. S. Maj:R.R. W. Coe. 6th Dragoon Gds.)

William John Coe was born in King’s Lynn, Norfolk in 1867. He attested for the 6th Dragoon Guards under the alias of ‘Long’ at Peterborough in December 1885. He advanced to Corporal in 1891, and to Sergeant in February 1893.

Coe served with the Regiment in South Africa, November 1899 - August 1902, and advanced to Squadron Sergeant Major in September 1902.

He was appointed to the Permanent Staff, Royal North Devon Yeomanry in February 1905 (awarded LS&GC.in 1904). Coe was discharged in February 1910, and emigrated to Winnipeg, Canada.

Here are a few more:

2859 Private, Scott, G., (KSA)
3924 Private, Parkyn, George, (KSA, WW1 Trio)
3597 Private, Morley, M. J., (KSA to 2nd Dragoons)

Picture courtesy of Spink

DCM VR (1389. R. Sgt. Maj: B. Turner. 10th Hussars. 16th Feb. 1885.);
Afghan (0) (1389. Lce.. Corpl. B.Turner. 10th Rl Hussars.);
Egypt undated reverse (1) The Nile 1884-85 (1389, R.S.Maj: B.Turner, 10th Husrs);
QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Capt: Ridg: Mr: B.Turner, 6/Drgn: Gds:), date clasps both tailor’s copies;
Khedive’s Star

DCM awarded for action at Abu Klea, 16 February 1885. Recommendation submitted to the Queen, 25 August 1885, details appearing in The Times 26 November 1885: ‘Troop Sergeant Major B. Turner, 10th Hussars - At all times showed the most remarkable coolness and zeal in his responsible position (Regimental Sergeant Major), and during the night of the 16th of February at Abu Klea was continually under fire.’

Therefore this DCM was won for gallantry at Abu Klea but not during the Battle of Abu Klea which took place on 17 January 1885. After the battle, the main body of troops marched on to Metammeh and the Nile River with intermittent fighting all along the 25-mile trek. After General Gordon was killed on the 26 January, before any of the relief column had reached him at Khartoum, the Government decided to withdraw all troops from the Sudan. It was a fighting withdrawal and a six-day stop was made at Abu Klea. It was during the sporadic attacks made by the Arabs on the night of 16 February during which Turner was under continual fire that his gallantry was recognized.

MID London Gazette 25 August 1885.

Benjamin Turner was born in 1857 at Great Hucklow in Derbyshire. He served at the Koorum and Kost Expeditions and was involved with reconnaissance of Peiwar Kotal as well as the action of Matun and the action of Futtehabad. Serving with the Light Camel Corps he was involved with the attack on the convoy on 14 February 1885 and action at Abu Klea two days later, he was additionally 'mentioned'.

He was commissioned into the 6th Dragoon Guards on the 29 July 1891 and served with them throughout the Boer War with operations in Cape Colony April-June 1901, operations in the Transvaal April-May 1901 and again from November 1901-31 May 1902, during the operations in the Orange River Colony from June-November 1901. The Supplementary roll confirms the two date clasps, Spink suggest he is on the KSA roll but this is not so. They say 'Medal roll for the King's South Africa records him as Adjutant Base Depot, Imperial Yeomanry, Elandsfontein.'

Turner rose to the rank of Captain and Riding Masterand having retired to Margate in 1903, died there on 2 February 1944.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (0) (3942. Pte: C. Napper. 6/Drgn: Gds:)

Entitled to QSA (4) CC Paard Drie and Joh. The clasps were re-issued (loose) in January 1906.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (3) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (2929. Pte. W. Bristow. 6/Drgn. Gds.), note misspelled surname;
KSA (2) (2929 Pte W. Bristowe. 6th Drgn: Gds:)

Provenance: Glendining’s April 1989.

William Powerscourt Bristowe was born at Kensington, London in 1870, his attestation gives his profession prior to enlisting as Traveller, confirmed on the 1891 census as Commercial Traveller. Joining the 6th Dragoon Guards at Edinburgh on 4 July 1892 he remained on Home Service until 4 July 1899 when he was sent to the Army Reserve. Recalled to the colours on 7 October 1899 for service at the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer he arrived in South Africa on 4 November 1899 just 20 days before the birth of his son on 27 October. On the birth certificate the elder Bristowe’s profession is listed as Gentleman’s Servant Army Reserve Man.

The 6th Dragoon Guards served as part of the 1st Cavalry Brigade in South Africa, serving as part of General French’s force on the road to Kimberly. They also fought at Diamond Hill although Bristowe himself is not entitled to the clasp suggesting that he was either not present or not did not engage. Later the unit served with British columns formed to take part in the guerrilla stage of the conflict, with the 6th part of General Allenby’s force around the Vaal River.

Bristowe returned home on leave on 24 December 1900, likely to see his young son who was over a year old and had yet to meet his father. He returned to South Africa on 5 August 1901 in time for General Plumer’s September 1901 push into eastern Transvaal. Returning to Britain after the conclusion of hostilities Bristowe returned to the Army Reserve on 1 May 1903. It is possible he saw Great War service as a medal index card to the 6th Dragoon Guards does exist in the name of William Bristowe, although no link has yet been found.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4355 Pte. F. Halliday. 6th. Dragoon Gds.)

Frank Halliday was born in Levenshulme, Manchester, in 1881 and attested for the 6th Dragoon Guards at Manchester on 28 April 1900. He served with the Regiment in South Africa during the Boer War from 1 January 1901 to 14 August 1902, and then in India until 28 February 1908.

He transferred to the Reserve on 27 April 1908, and was discharged on 27 April 1912, after 12 years’ service.