TOPIC:

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (4) Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg (4163 Pte. G. Box, 2: D. of C. Lt. Inft.);
KSA (2) (4163 Pte. H. Box, 2: D. of C. Lt. Inft.) note differing initials both of which are lightly scratched over

No service papers found.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902, unofficial rivets between state and date clasps (6108 Corpl: E. Coggins. D. of C.L.I.);
1914-15 Star (6108 L.Cpl. E. Coggins. D. of Corn: L.I.);
British War and Victory Medals (6108 Sjt. E. Coggins. D. of Corn. L.I.)

Edwin Coggins attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, and served with them in South Africa during the Boer War, and during the Great War on the Western Front from 28 November 1914.

Recently l watched the programme Who DonYou Think You Are featuring Sue Perkins
Her grandfather Albert Perkins was orphaned and had a tough upbringing and joined the Duke of Cornwall’s L I which received a brief mention on the programme and he served in the Boer War guarding prisoners in l think Ceylon.
No mention was made of his medal and l wondered if the whereabouts was known and if Sue Perkins was aware of this. I felt certain she would like to know as much of her ancestors’ past had disappeared.
Clive

Picture courtesy of Spink

Memorial Plaque 1914-1918 (Francis Holden Shuttleworth Rendall).

Francis Holden Shuttleworth Rendall was born on 20 November 1879 and was educated at Eton.

Originally commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the 3rd and 4th (Militia) Battalions, South Staffordshire Regiment on 23 February 1898, he was promoted Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion before he transferred to the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, Regular Army, on 20 May 1899, reverting in rank to 2nd Lieutenant.

He subsequently served with the 2nd Battalion, D.C.L.I. and the 2nd Battalion, Mounted Infantry in South Africa during the Boer War, including operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including Paardeberg (17 to 26 February) and the actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Vet River (5 and 6 May) and Zand River; operations in the Transvaal in May and June 1900, including the actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill (11 and 12 June); and operations in Orange River Colony, May to 29 November 1900, including the actions at Wittebergen. He was reported missing in action after the Battle of Nooitgedacht on 13 December 1900, rejoining his unit ten days later. He was twice Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 10 September 1901 and 25 April 1902) and received the Queen's Medal & 6 clasps and the King's Medal & 2 clasps.

Rendall was advanced Captain on 6 August 1904 and appointed Adjutant of the 5th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), Territorial Force, on 30 September 1911, arriving in France with them on 14 April 1915. He obtained his Majority on 1 September 1915 and the following month was advanced to Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel, taking command of the 5th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment. It was for his services in this capacity that he was awarded the DSO (London Gazette 16 January 1916, refers).

On 6 July 1916, near Thiepval, during the Battle of the Somme, Rendall led two bombing parties from his Battalion, totalling seven officers and 80 other ranks, to capture a trench: of these only 22 other ranks returned, Rendall being left behind wounded in a German dugout.

He died three days later on 9 July 1916, aged 37, leaving a widow and young daughter, and he is buried in Lebucquiere Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France.

Picture courtesy of Warwick and Warwick

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, South Africa 1901 (2751 Pte A. Martin 2nd D. of C. Lt Infy), small edge bruise good very fine, top clasp loose on ribbon.

Catalogue says 'Date bar issued off a second roll (with copy). With 3 copied pages of service record, Arthur Martin was born in Midsomer Norton, enlisted 25/7/88, served India 1889-96, to AR 7/3/96, recalled 9/10/99, discharged 24/7/01.'

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

IGS (2) Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (4439. Pte. H. Symons. 1/D.C.L.I.) engraved in the usual style associated with this unit;
QSA (3) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg (44.. Pte. H. Symons, 2: D. of C. Lt. Inft.) contact marks partially obscuring number;
KSA (2) (4439 Pte. H. Symons. D. of C.L.I.);
British War and Victory Medals (45703 A. Cpl. H. M. Symons. M.G.C.)

Henry Mitchell Symons was born in Tavistock, Devon, in 1876 and attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry at Saltash on 12 June 1894. Posted to the 1st Battalion, he served with them in India and saw action with the Tirah Expeditionary Force on the Punjab Frontier 1897-98. He subsequently served with the 2nd Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War (and given that he did not receive the clasps for Paardeberg or Driefontein to his Queen’s South Africa Medal, he presumably formed part of a reinforcement draft which arrived after February 1900, rather than having sailed with the main body of the Battalion).

Symons saw further action with the Machine Gun Corps during the Great War, and latterly with the Labour Corps. However, having survived shot and shell in the various corners of the British Empire, and on the Western Front.

He was killed during the blitz, at 38 Mostyn Road, Lambeth, London, on 8 December 1940.