TOPIC:

I have just purchased a Driscoll Scout QSA to 20847 Trp J Finlay the Nominal Roll read on this site has him as 20847 A/Sgt J Finlay attested 16/01/01 PE (Port Elizabeth?) Killed 24/02/01 the opposite page has some red writing the second part says I think Marshall's Horse however I cannot find him on that roll. His clasps are Cape Colony, Orange Free State Johannesburg, Diamond Hill SA01. From reading the history of Marshall's Horse they were at Diamond Hill but the Driscoll Scouts were not. He may have been in another unit that I cannot see.
1) What were his previous regiments?
2) What are his clasp entitlement?
3) How was he killed?
4) Where did he come from?
Any help in pointing me in the right direction would greatly appreciated.
Regards
Zimscout.

Zimscout
Your man "20847 A/Sgt. J.Finlay" is shown on page 155 of roll WO100/245 (Driscoll's Scouts) as having also served in Marshall's Horse. Looks like he earned his South Africa 1901 clasp with Driscoll's. Marginal note to the Driscoll's roll says " Clasps with medal to resident magistrate, Port Elizabeth 16/12/13".
SAFF Casualty roll says "n/n Sgt. Findley J." (note different spelling) was killed at Kareekuil on 24/2/01 and six of his fellows were wounded in the same action/same day. Sounds like a patrol action.
If we have a look at the roll for Marshall's Horse (WO100/258), we see "Number not stated Findley, J" as earning the Clasps Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Cape Colony and Orange Free State with that unit. A marginal note says that he also served as number 356 with the Uitenhage Volunteer Rifles.
The question could be put as to which surname - "Finlay" or "Findley" is correct. I don't suppose anyone knows now. Nevertheless, you have a quite nice example of a Queen's medal to a chap who saw a deal of action and paid the ultimate price.
Regards
IL.

Thanks Linneyl
Late last night I managed to get into the Uitenhage Volunteer Rifles Roll and found him there. I then went into UK national archives and found his clasp entitlement. Thanks for all the info
Regards
Zimscout

Hi Tim,

I have sent you a PM with some information that you may find very useful!

Cheers Steve

Nice medal.
His death certificate is freely available on familysearch.
Look him up. Died at Spitzkop.
Aged 34. Married.

zimscout,

Here is his DrSc attestation paper, the back of which has not been photographed.