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A double issue to a seasoned campaigner - F.H. Crawley 5 years 4 months ago #61198

  • Rory
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Frederick Henry Crawley

Trooper, Natal Troop in Matabele Rebellion
Corporal, Durban Light Infantry, Anglo Boer War
2nd Class Trooper, South African Constabulary, Anglo Boer War
Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant, 1st Battalion, Scottish Horse, Anglo Boer War
Trooper, Natal Carbineers, Natal Rebellion


- British South Africa Company Medal 1896 to Troopr. F.H. Crawley, N.T.
- Queens South Africa Medal with clasps Relief of Ladysmith and Transvaal to 614 Corpl. F. Crawley, Durban L.I.
- Queens South Africa Medal with clasps Transvaal and South Africa 1901 to 314 Q.M. Serjt. F.H. Crawley, S.A.C.
- Natal Rebellion Medal with clasp 1906 to Trooper F.H. Crawley, Natal Carbineers


Heinrich Friedrich Crawley came into this world on 28 May 1872. Born in Pinetown, at the time a small settlement some ten miles inland from Durban, to parents Charles Henry Crawley and his wife Margarethe Charlotte Crawley, born Schwegmann. Crawley owed his names in no small measure to the influence of his German mother but, for reasons unknown, he adopted the anglicised moniker of Frederick Henry Crawley which was to carry him through the remainder of his life.

The family were, for the most part, farmers with father Henry engaged in this pursuit in the Cato Ridge area of Natal together with sons Henry Rudolph and Frederick Henry. The remaining son, Charles Herman Frederick Crawley betook himself to Harrismith in the Orange Free State where he farmed land.

As was the common practice of the day, Crawley enlisted with the local regiment, in this case the Natal Carbineers for service in a peacetime capacity whilst continuing his occupation. Attesting on 1 February 1893, Crawley soon rose to the rank of Corporal.

The Natal Almanac of 1895 confirms that Fred Crawley was a Farmer in Cato Ridge. This state of affairs was not destined to last as the search for adventure saw Crawley volunteer for service on 22 April 1896 as a member of the Natal Troop for service in Rhodesia.

The Natal Troop was formed under Captain J.F. Taylor and was to play a prominent part in the Mashonaland campaign. An article in the Natal Witness of 15 April 1896 under the banner, Excitement in the City – Raising a Natal Troop, read as follows:

“The news verbally promulgated in the City yesterday, that a picked body of men, 50 strong, was being recruited for service in Charterland, created much excitement amongst the younger portion of the community. Mr F.S. Tatham, M.L.A., had received a wire from Mr Rhodes asking him to raise 50 picked men for active service in Rhodesia. Mr Tatham does not intend to advertise for men, as they are presenting themselves quite fast enough as it is.

The pay of the troopers is to be 10s per diem, from which 2s 6d is to be deducted for rations. Horses, arms and equipment are to be provided, and the force will embark at a moment’s notice for Port Elizabeth, a ship having been already chartered for the purpose. The men prior to leaving will be required to sign an agreement stating their willingness to serve the Chartered Co. and go wherever ordered."

That Crawley was one of the “picked men” was confirmed two weeks later – the Natal Witness of 28 April 1896 confirming that “Fred Henry Crawley” was one of the “The body of men enrolled in Maritzburg by Mr Tatham, for service in Rhodesia who took their departure yesterday afternoon by the 4.40 train for Durban. Altogether 49 men have been enlisted in the City and 10 in Durban. The troop has been placed under command of Captain Turner, A.D.C. to the Governor. Who goes as an Imperial Officer, at the instance of Imperial authorities.

Most of the men are Colonial born, and all of them are experienced riders and shots. Segt. Major Ashe took command of the company, and an attempt to put the men through a few rudimentary exercises was provocative of great laughter on the part of the large crowd assembled.

The men seemed to be in excellent spirits, and conveyed the impression that they were off for a spell of holidays. As a whole the troop made a favourable appearance, most of the men looking as if they could stand any amount of exertion. The troop will remain in Durban until Friday, when they will proceed to Beira, by a specially chartered steamer. The intervening time will be spent in drill and military exercise, but no arms will be served out until the men have entered Charter Co.’s territory. The horses required for the use of the company will be taken from Durban.”

The Natal Witness carried an article on 2 May 1896 under the headline, Departure of the Natal Troop – a Cheering Send-Off; which read as follows:-

“A troop of 50 men raised in Natal for service under the B.S.A. Co. in Rhodesia, left Durban by the S.S. “Umbilo” on Saturday, en route for Beira. Everything has been done to ensure the comfort of the men, while at sea. The horses numbered about 250. The men were quartered on the upper deck, which had been covered in with canvas, and made comfortable and cool. The men marched on board about half-past four, and within half-an-hour they were under weigh.

The “Umbilo” is to sail direct for Beira, which she is expected to reach about Wednesday, and the troop, with the whole of the animals, will then be transhipped into lighters for conveyance up the Pangwe River to Fontesville. From Fontesville to Chimoio. The troop will have the advantage of the railway, the remainder of the journey to Salisbury being done on horseback via Umtali.”

The following extracts from: The ’96 Rebellions. The British South Africa Company Reports on the Native Disturbances in Rhodesia, 1896-97. Rhodesiana Reprint Library – Silver Series. Volume 2., provide an insight into the action the Natal men saw once they had been deployed.

Page 75

“Among the last to leave Mashonaland were the members of the Natal Troop of Volunteers, who, throughout the rebellion, had done yeoman’s service under Capt. Taylor and Lieut. Finch-Smith. They left Durban in the first instance on the 1st of May, and had proceeded as far as Charter on their road to Matabeleland, when they were suddenly recalled by the disturbing events in Mashonaland. From that time they were in every patrol of importance, and sustained their part with the utmost credit.”

The service of the Natal Troop in Mashonaland was recorded as follows:

“From June, 1896, to 22nd July, 1896.”

Page 55

“SALISBURY AND MAZOE DISTRICTS

In these districts all was quiet until the 14th June, and from that date it may be said that the rising commenced. …

The first news which alarmed Salisbury was brought by a native, who reached the Six-mile Spruit late on the night of Monday, 15th June, with the report that Messrs. Tate and Koefoed with four native servants had been murdered at the Beatrice Mine by a number of Matabeles and Mashonas, who came from Matshayangombi’s kraal. This was on the 15th June, about sundown. … On receipt of this news Judge Vintcent obtained permission by telegram from Earl Grey to divert a portion of the Natal troop who were then at Charter …”

Page 58

“It will be remembered that a troop of about 70 volunteers from Natal under Capt. Taylor, and accompanied by Capt. Turner, of the West Riding Regiment*, were proceeding to the scene of hostilities in Matabeleland, and were providentially resting at Charter when the first murders [in Mashonaland] took place. They had with them two Maxims and 120 horses. It will also be remembered that Judge Vintcent had received permission to divert Capt. Turner with 40 of his men for the purpose of proceeding to punish Matshayangombi, and to send Lieut. Christison with a small detachment from Salisbury to meet and guide them.

The remainder of the Natal troop were ordered to proceed to Salisbury. Mr. Christison met Capt. Turner near the Umfuli River, and their combined force moved on from that point, on Friday 19th June, along the road to the Beatrice Mine. Next morning they attacked and burnt Mhlopa’s kraal, near the Beatrice Mine, the natives being taken by surprise and flying; but although they found abundant signs of the Beatrice murders, they were unable to discover the bodies of Koefoed and Tate [who had been murdered at the Mine on the 15th June].

On Sunday the 21st, the patrol started to relieve Hartley Hills, but had not proceeded more than two miles when they were attacked on their right flank by the rebels, among whom were many Matabele. Scouts Mitchell and Finucane were wounded, and Sergt. Snodgrass grazed by a bullet. Trooper Mitchell [of the Umtali Contingent] subsequently died of his wound. Later in the afternoon a small party sent out to bring in some horses were also fired on, and had to retire, and as the patrol moved on the enemy kept up a desultory fire, until our men reached a trading station three miles from Matshayangombi’s, where they camped for the night.

The next morning Capt. Turner decided, in view of the difficult nature of the country, to retire to Salisbury. The party on its march back were fired on incessantly from sunrise onwards. Near Mhlopa’s kraal a drift had to be crossed in a dangerous gorge, where the natives were in strong force, and kept up a galling fire. The Maxim was brought into action on the opposite bank, but their wagon could not be got through the drift until the load was taken off. After leaving the drift a dangerous pass was traversed at a gallop under very heavy fire.
Surgeon Grey [of the Natal Troop] was here seriously wounded in the hip, and several horses were killed. The patrol then proceeded without any further encounter to Salisbury, whither the remainder of the Natal troop had preceded them.

On the arrival of the Natal Volunteers in Salisbury the forces there were reorganised, and divided into two wings. Major Macglashan, of the Rhodesia Horse, was in command of the right wing, which consisted of the Natal troop, an Artillery troop under Capt. Moberley, and one troop of Rhodesia Horse. Mr. W. Smith, Commandant of Burghers, was in command of the left wing, which comprised two troops of English and one troop of Dutch burghers. Judge Vintcent was in command of the whole force, with Capt. Turner [of the Natal Troop] as his staff officer.”

Page 62

“CHARTER DISTRICT”

In the Charter district the population at the time of the outbreak was wholly agricultural. A large number of Boers with their families were scattered through the locality, many of them being as much as 25 miles distant from the Fort. So long as Capt. Turner’s force remained in the neighbourhood the natives did not break into open rebellion, but contented themselves with looting a few deserted homesteads.
As soon as the Natal contingent received orders to march on Matshayangombi’s, Mr. Firm, the Field-Cornet, acting under orders from Salisbury, and in view of the Beatrice murders, sent out to bring all families into the laager which was in process of formation at Charter, and to enroll the able-bodied as burghers for the defence of that station. Almost immediately on the departure of the Natal men, on the 18th of June, the trouble began here, as in all other districts.

Page 64

“MANICA AND GAZALAND

On the 20th June Mr. Taberer left Umtali, which was then quite peaceful, and set out for Headlands which he reached on the 21st. Here Native Commissioner Ross joined him, and Native Commissioner Edwards, Marandellas. The latter had succeeded in bringing down twenty-five boxes of M.H. ammunition (25,000 rounds) which had been left by the Natal column at Marandellas, and was causing grave anxiety to the members of the Government in Salisbury, who were unable to rescue it from falling into the hands of the rebels.”

Page 66

“MARANDELLAS DISTRICT

… More than passing illusion must be made to the patrol which left Salisbury on the 11th July, under the command of Mr. A.H.F. Duncan, for the relief of some men who were reported by friendly natives to be in a state of siege at Abercorn camp, about 70 miles from Salisbury. … Immediately upon his arrival in Salisbury [Mr. Duncan] set about organising a party of men to proceed to the relief of Abercorn. His appeal for volunteers was enthusiastically responded to, and on the same night a mounted patrol, consisting of 40 of the Natal Troop and 25 of the Salisbury Field Force with a Maxim gun left the laager. The expedition was completely successful, and although several skirmishes took place with the rebels no casualties were sustained on our side.”

“From July 22nd, 1896, to December 31st, 1896.”

Page 70

“On July 23rd, two large patrols left Salisbury to commence offensive operations against the rebels. …

Patrolling in the Hartley Hill direction was Capt. the Hon. C.J. White with the following force:-

His own troop of 65 of “Grey’s” scouts mounted; the Natal troop of 75 men under Capt. Taylor; 60 of A and C troops, Salisbury Field Force, under Capt. St. Hill; a 7-pounder with a detachment of 10 men under Capt. Tyndale Biscoe, and 40 Zulus – in all 250 men. …

The patrol under Capt. White returned to Salisbury on the 28th of July, bringing with them the white men who had been imprisoned for so long at Hartley Hill.”

Page 72

“… [on 9th August] a column of volunteers consisting of Grey’s scouts, the Natal troop, and Beal’s force left Salisbury for Mazoe under the command of Mr. Duncan, taking with them two Maxims and a 7-pounder. They reached the Alice Mine, Mazoe, on Tuesday the 11th, without interference. After burning 13 kraals they were attacked on Wednesday at Chiwi’s stronghold, in very difficult country, but at daybreak on Thursday the attack was renewed by our men, and the kraal was captured late in the day after a stubborn resistance. A number of goats and sheep were taken, but the native losses could not be estimated. On our side two men and four horses were wounded. The attack was led by Capt. Montgomery of the Salisbury column, who was specially mentioned for his gallantry.

On the following day Amanda’s kraal was attacked and demolished, the natives again escaping to their caves. Capt. Montgomery was shot through the head, but not fatally. Provisions having run short the column divided on August 15th, Grey’s scouts returning to Salisbury under Capt. White, and the remainder continuing the work of patrolling in Mazoe under Major Hoste. …

Although numerous patrols were sent out in various parts of the Salisbury district during the next few weeks, no expedition of any importance could be undertaken owing to the shortness of supplies. … the country was actively patrolled in every direction by the Imperial troops, Col. Beal’s Salisbury column, the Natal troops, and the Salisbury Volunteers. The detachment of Bulawayo Volunteers (Grey’s scouts) left for Bulawayo on the 25th August.”

Pages 73 & 74

[By October] “Matters were mow ripe for the long-deferred expedition to Matshayangombi’s kraal in Hartley Hill district, which had been hitherto impossible, owing to the scarcity of food for the troops. On the 5th October, a force of 350 men [including 33 from the Natal Troop], with one month’s rations, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Alderson, started from Hartley. This was to be augmented at Hartley by Major Jenner’s column of 170 men from Charter, and by 1,000 of the Victoria friendlies. On the morning pf the 10th, Matshayangombi’s main kraal was attacked by Col. Alderson.

The natives were driven out of their position after hot fighting, in which Lieut. Ashe, a sergeant, a trooper and two privates were wounded. On the 11th the surrounding country was reconnoitered and the rebels were found in a strongly fortified kraal on the Umfuli River by a patrol under Sir H. McMahon. On the arrival of reinforcements an attack was made and the kraal eventually seized and burnt, the natives taking refuge as usual in the caves. In this engagement, Troopers Botha and Coryndon, of the Salisbury Volunteers, and a native sergeant were killed, and Capt. McMahon, two white privates, and two of the native contingent severely wounded.

The action was renewed on the 12th, when Chena’s kraal was destroyed, and the caves blown up after very heavy fighting. Our casualties were four privates wounded, one fatally, and two of the native contingent wounded. The enemies loss was considerable, and many dead bodies were seen, but no exact estimate of their casualties could be made.

As the greater part of the rebels appeared to have fled from the district, Col. Alderson next proceeded to the La Maghonda district. On the 20th the force reached Eyre’s Farm in the Umvukwe Mountains, and attacked a cluster of kraals to the south-west. Here the natives again showed resistance, but were dislodged with a loss on our side of Capt. Finucane, of the Salisbury Volunteers, fatally wounded. On the return march the force was divided into three detachments. Major Jenner, with one portion, returned via Mazoe; Capt. Godley, with a second patrol, remained to scour the Sinoia district; while the Natal troop returned with the wounded and some prisoners direct to Salisbury. …

Early in November, Native Commissioner Campbell had a meeting with the important Chief Chiquaqua, 30 miles north east from Salisbury. The Chief was called upon to surrender and lay down his arms, but remaining defiant, a strong force of 400 whites [including 41 Natal Troop] and 100 friendly natives was despatched against him under the command of Major Jenner, D.S.O. Major Jenner had a parley with Chiquaqua who expressed his desire for peace, but refused to lay down his arms. Chiquaqua was allowed time to discuss the surrender with his headmen, and the patrol moved on to Kunzwi’s country. An indaba was held with Kunzwi’s head Induna, who was warned against a continuation of hostilities, and professed friendly relations. To give proof of his loyalty, he offered to send some of his men to assist in building a fort.”

[The Natal Troop’s last patrol started on 1st December, when a mixed force of Natal Troop, Rhodesia Horse and a native contingent went to Hartley Hills with the object of establishing a post there.]

Page 75

“The first detachment of the new police, 180 strong, arrived in Salisbury on December 10th, and the transference from the command of Col. Alderson to Col. de Moleyns took place on the 12th of December. On the 16th, 80 of the police under Major Hopper started for Hartley to relieve the garrison there and maintain the defence of that district during the wet season.”

This brought to an end the service of the Natal Troop in Rhodesia. They were disbanded on 15 December 1896 and, although most returned to Natal, 23 men remained, enlisted in other units and served in the Mashonaland rebellion of 1897. Crawley was not one of them, returning home to resume his civilian pursuits. Although brief the interlude gave Crawley a taste for the sort of life that he enjoyed.

Not one to let dust gather under his feet he attested for service with the Durban Light Infantry on 1 June 1898 and was attached to “A” Company with no. 614 and the rank of Trooper. He was with the D.L.I. when the Anglo Boer War broke out in October of 1899 rising to the rank of Corporal. Primarily the D.L.I’s activities were confined to Natal (the area around Colenso and Estcourt) and the Transvaal. He makes an appearance on page 5 of the book "Reminiscences of the Siege of Ladysmith by W.H. Smith (published by C. Budge, Ladysmith 1937) wherein the following account is given under the date 2 November 1899:

......About 2 p.m. I answered a call on the down line instrument and got the message: "Here Cpl. Crawley, with a patrol of 10 men of the D.L.I., at Pieters station, can see Boers in strong force on hills." I knew Crawley well and was asking for further information when he broke in with "Good-bye, we must be off; the Boers are coming." A moment later the line was cut, and that was the last word we had with the outside world for four months, excepting by heliograph or native runner..... Ladysmith was under siege"

Judging by this account Crawley was in the privileged position of being the last chap communicated with before the Siege was laid down. He was also part of the Force that relieved the besieged town of Ladysmith on 1 March 1900. For his efforts he was awarded the Queens South Africa Medal with clasps Transvaal and Relief of Ladysmith.

With the Natal campaign virtually a thing of the past and the local units being demobbed Crawley now took his discharge from the Durban Light Infantry on 7 December 1900. Like many of the young men of his day he did so not to return home but to enlist with another outfit thereby continuing the fight with the Boers. Interestingly the Natal Almanac of 1900 records that Frederick H. Crawley was now resident in Campbell Road, Durban and was a Clerk with the Natal Government Railways by occupation. This can only mean that, certainly for the time being, he had forsaken the role of Farmer for more mundane pursuits.

With the war still raging Crawley next enlisted with the South African Constabulary completing the Attestation Form for 1 year’s service on 11th January 1901. Assigned no. A/122 Crawley was attached to “A” Division of the S.A.C. as a 3rd Class Trooper. Physically he was described as having brown eyes, dark brown hair and a fresh complexion. He was slightly built, 5 foot 9 inches in height, single and a member of the Church of England. He provided his calling as “Telegraphist” and his brother, H.R. Crawley of Cato Ridge, Natal, as his next of kin.

On 21 January, a mere ten days later, he was promoted to 2nd Class Trooper. Crawley’s service with the S.A.C. was not destined to be a lengthy one. After only 82 days, on 2 April 1901, he requested his discharge in order to enlist with the Scottish Horse. This was agreed to and he took his leave of the S.A.C. at Krugersdorp with a Character rating of Good.

Crawley was issued another Queens South Africa Medal, this time off the S.A.C. roll and issued in the rank of Quartermaster Sergeant (his Scottish Horse rank) and to number 314 (his Scottish Horse number). Added were the claps South Africa 1901 and Transvaal, the latter a clasp for which he had already received recognition.

With effect from 3 April 1901 (the very next day after taking his leave of the S.A.C.) Crawley enlisted with the 1st Battalion of the Scottish Horse. He was, as intimated previously, assigned no. 314 (alternately no. 655) and the rank of Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant. He was to serve with them until taking his discharge on 10 October 1901 by which time the first phase of the Boer War was over.

The Scottish Horse had been raised by the Marquis of Tullibardine with recruiting starting in November 1900 in the main from men of Scottish descent chiefly in Natal. Crawley, on his father’s side, fitted the bill and joined the regiment two months after they had already taken the field. He was now able to quench his thirst for the action which would have been denied him as a member of the S.A.C.

The 1st Battalion served in the Western Transvaal and initially had few casualties seeing no serious fighting until the action at Vlakfontein on 29 May 1901. Here they were part of Brigadier Dixon’s force in time to assist the infantry in driving off one of the fiercest Boer attacks of the entire war. The next engagement in which they were involved was when Delarey surprised the camp at Moedwill on 30 September 1901.

Between May and September 1901 the regiment had been almost constantly in contact with the enemy. Crawley, however, had had enough and returned home. The Natal Almanac of 1902 records that he had resumed his residence at Campbell Road in Durban and his occupation with the Natal Government Railways. The remainder of his family continued to farm in the Cato Ridge area.

The war having ended on 31 May 1902 Crawley turned to more mundane pursuits - on 11 September 1902 in a private house in Umlaas Road, he wed Lillian Emma Nadauld, a 20 year old girl, in the presence of the Wesleyan Minister.

With the dawn of 1904 Crawley took to farming once more and was listed in the Camperdown and Cato Ridge Directory of that year as being a Farmer at Cato Ridge. City life (or town life to be more accurate) proving to be no longer to his liking. Of additional interest is the mention on page 866, of a Mr. Nadauld owning a Boarding House in the area. This gentleman was Crawley’s father-in-law.

Now aged 32 (some sources have it as 35) and having moved closer to Pietermaritzburg, Crawley rejoined “E” Squadron of the Natal Carbineers as a Trooper on 11 March 1904.

Two years later, in 1906 the Bambatha Rebellion broke out in Natal. This was an uprising orchestrated by Chief Bambatha in defiance of a decision by the Natal Colonial Government to introduce a poll tax on the Zulus. Many of the Natal based regiments, including the Natal Carbineers were mobilised to quell the uprising. In April 1906 they were despatched, in a policing role, and were in the field until the end of July. On 2 August they were publicly thanked by the Governor at a review in Market Square. They were given little respite, however, and were mobilised again on 30 November 1907 to assist with the arrest of Dinizulu for his part in the Rebellion.

Crawley was awarded the Natal Medal with 1906 clasp for his efforts and was to remain with the Carbineers until 4 March 1908 when, at the age of 36 he severed all ties with the regiment and the military way of life.

1908 also saw an exchange of letters between Crawley and the Colonial Government. Writing on 23 November in his capacity as the Honourable Secretary, No. 1 Division of the East Coast Fever Committee, Crawley addressed himself to the Secretary of the Natal Native Trust requesting that fencing be erected, at the expense of the Government, in order to curb the spread of the deadly disease which affected cattle mainly. Clearly unimpressed with both the response in content as well as timing, Crawley wrote again on 17 December to the Secretary of Native Affairs emphasising “the urgency of erection as the disease is gradually spreading and the Hon. Minister of Agriculture also deems this urgency necessary”.

All this proved futile as the Government, on 31 December 1908, let it be known that they were not going to pay for the exercise. The matter seems to have died a quiet death thereafter.

The 1915 Natal Directory lists F.H. Crawley, farmer, “Spectacle Spruit”, Mossdale; a clear indication that Crawley had spread his wings and was now making a go of farming in the Newcastle area of Natal. His brother, H.R. Crawley is listed as being of the same address.

On 28 August 1917 Crook and Ingram, Solicitors writing on behalf of Crawley addressed a letter to the Magistrate, Newcastle wherein “we beg formally to apply through you for the consent of the Governor General to the transfer to him from the Native Daniel Mango of Lot 1 of Sub – Division A of Riverbank, Mossdale, Newcastle Division, in extent 299 acres, 3 roods, 10 perches”

The letter went on to say “At present where the farm River Bank is Mango is entirely surrounded by white men and although a straight forward and fine old native he feels his position would rather be amongst his own race.” It would be rather politically incorrect to use those terms in modern day correspondence!

Eventually the matter was acceded to and Crawley expanded his operations at the cost of £500.

According to a Mortgage Bond affected by Crawley on 10 December 1928 he had rejoined the Civil Service and was the Postmaster at New Hanover in the Natal Midlands.

Moving on to 1933 Crawley, again courtesy of the Natal Directory, had sold up and moved back to Durban where he was in residence at 29 Olive Road.

Frederick Henry Crawley passed away on 19 November 1941 at his residence, 73 Folkestone Road, Rossburgh, Natal at the age of seventy years and six months. He was noted as a Retired Civil Servant and was survived by his wife Lilian Emma Crawley.

All told the couple had eight children, Henry Leslie Crawley, Myrtle Charlotte Dyer, Ralph McBain Crawley, Aubrey Victor Crawley, Douglas Maurice Crawley, Elsie Louisa Trusler, Helen Audrey Pardy and Muriel Heather Crawley (minor)

The estate yielded a farm at Richmond in Durban County to the value of £840 as well as personal effects.

So ended the life of an interesting man who fought in three different wars and with many different units.








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A double issue to a seasoned campaigner - F.H. Crawley 5 years 4 months ago #61203

  • QSAMIKE
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Thank You Rory, again a fantastic piece of research.... I mentioned your post to S.W.M.B.O. and she looked over my shoulder and said "Crawley, are they the ones from Downton Abbey" LOL...…

Mike
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A double issue to a seasoned campaigner - F.H. Crawley 5 years 4 months ago #61208

  • Georgegt351
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Another piece of fabulous research Rory,and a fine group of medals. I was particularly interested in the passing reference to Captain ST.Hill as I had medals to his brother and cousin for many years- his was the one group I didn't want to surface as he had some rare and interesting awards in the group and believe he may have written a book at some stage.
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