TOPIC:

Ladismith lies some 300 km east of Cape Town.



Unusually for a town Guard, a main roll and reserve roll was submitted and, rather than being combined into one, medals were issued to both units, the Ladismith Town Guard and the Ladismith Reserve Town Guard . 56 men are listed on the main roll and 20 on the reserve roll. The nett issue of medals was 50 and 17 respectively.

How someone came to be enrolled in the main unit or the reserve unit is not clear. Corporal C W Crafford served in the main unit whereas Private D G Crafford served in the reserve. There were 3 men with the surname Nel on the main roll and one on the reserve roll.

Here are examples of the QSA naming

This is a mention of a "natural fort" in Sewerweekspoort that was manned by Ladismith Town Guard. Would be interesting to find this.

I have a QSA to G.B. De Vos, Ladismith D.M.T.
A medal to the Town Guard has eluded me so far. Just another on the ‘want’ list.

Jim

Derek,

That would be feasible but the distance is some 36km (by modern road).


Picture courtesy of Google

The pass would be a good place for a natural fort.

The area looks amazing.


Picture courtesy of Google