TOPIC:

An unusual QSA which is probably named to a civilian as the QSA was re-issued in 1930.

Pair: Captain A. Robertson, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, who formerly served with British Forces in the South African War as a civil surgeon and was the only civilian in French's march to Kimberley

QSA (4) RoK Paar Drie SA01 (A. Robertson.);
BWM (3/1358 Capt. A. Robertson N.Z.E.F.)

The first a late issue with replacement non-swivel suspender, the second with officially re-impressed naming, bearing a partially erased '1' before the service number.

Alexander Robertson was born on 22 October 1870 at Glasgow, Scotland, the son of Dr. Alexander Robertson, senior physician at the Glasgow Infirmary and Professor of Medical Services at Glasgow University. His father had charge of one of the mental hospitals and had a wide reputation for the treatment of insanity; he was one of the first to introduce the classification of patients and their treatment as 'ailing people' rather than prisoners.

Alexander was educated at Glasgow University, qualifying Doctor of Medicine, before taking a role with the British Civil Service in the Gilbert & Solomon Islands; it was here that he wrote a treatise on tropical disease. In November 1899, Robertson was appointed Civil Surgeon to S.A. Field Forces and was attached to No. 5 General Hospital, followed by the 2nd Mounted Infantry, and later, the Highland Brigade.

Settling in Wellington after the war, he married Elizabeth Waters and raised a family. With the outbreak of the Great War, Robertson attested to the N.Z.E.F. at Wellington on 19 November 1915, and examined recruits for the medical board; he later served overseas aboard the hospital ship Marama, before being relieved of duty on 12 June 1916, his service record noting, 'urgently required in Auckland on account of family reasons'. He continued to serve at home and was posted to the N.Z. Army Service Corps from 9 November 1925, retiring on 9 August 1927.

On 19 February 1930, Robertson applied for a replacement QSA with 4 clasps, declaring 'all these medals and miniatures have been lost or stolen'. His request for the first was approved at a cost of 13 shillings and sixpence.

He died on 4 June 1937.

This no-clasp QSA was awarded to James Arthur Worsley, shown on WO100/230 page 252 as under the heading "Civilian Officials". Marginal note says "Veterinary Officer, Transport "Ionia" Naples to Cape Town, October to December 1899 in charge of mules. Landed 1086 out of 1088. Appointed Vet. Officer, Bethulie District, Bethulie ORC and Sick Remount Corps between 10/1900 and 5/1901. Then Vet. Officer, Norvals Pont and Remount camp between 5/01 and 1/02. Later at Herscel attending horse (?) 1/02 to 6/02.
James Arthur Worsley was born 10/10/1866 in England, qualified MRCVS (London) in 1887. In 4/87 he landed in SA and joined the Cape Civil Veterinary Department. After ABW service, he transferred to the CMR; in which he remained until 1/9/07. He then rejoined the CCVD and in 1908 was District Vet. Surgeon, Butterworth. He died at Prieska on active service on 21/8/1914 as Captain, SAVC. His WW1 trio appears not to have been issued.
Certainly an interesting chap - one of the many without whom the campaign could not have been brought to a conclusion.


Regards to all
IL