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QSA with Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg. Driefontein to: 2344 Pte. W. Speck, Glouc Regt
taken PoW 23 December 1900 at Dewetsdorp. Entitled to the SA1901 clasp.

Walter Speck was born in Gloucester in 1869/70. He was the son of John (1833) and Eliza (1834) Speck of 4 Jacques Passage, Mitre Street, Gloster. His father, originally from Playmouth, was a Canal Pilot. He had two siblings, John born in Hempsted (1865) and Frank born in Gloucester (1868). In the 1881 census, they were both errand boys, while their 11-year-old brother Walter was at school. He was an 18-year-old laborer from Gloucester, when he joined the Gloucester Regiment at Bristol on 09/08/1888, having previously served in the 1st Gloucester Royal Engineer Volunteers. He served at home from 7/8/1888 to 7 January 1891; East Indies from 3 January 1891 to 27 November 1894; Home from 29 November 1894 to 31 December 1899; South Africa 1 January 1900 to 15 August 1901 and again at home from 16 August 1901 to 19 August 1901. He was granted Good Conduct Badges on 7 Aug. 1890 and 7 August 1894, but forfeited one on 28 Dec 1899. He was issued 2 Sterling (War Gratuity AO 5 of 1901) at demobilization on 19 August 1901 when discharged as a Private for “Time Expired”. He was 18 years and 1 month old when he enlisted as was 5’5” tall, 127 lbs with Brown hair and eyes and was COE.

He served in South Africa from January 1900 and was taken POW at Dewetsdorp on the 23 November 1900 and released on 5 December 1900. He left South Africa in June 1901 and was discharged from the army in August 1901 after 12 years’ service. He was only entitled to this QSA with four clasps.

Speck W 2344 Private Prisoner. Dewetsdorp, 23 November 1900
2nd Battalion. Released 5 December
Source: South African Field Force Casualty Roll

QSA (2) Natal, OFS
Trio

Awarded to Lieutenant N W F Baynes, 1st Gloucesters who DoW in 1915. From Britannia yesterday.