TOPIC:

I find the last sentence in DNW's description rather strange, I don't feel that M Battery RHA could ever be referred to as a few odd men.

djb wrote:

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (6) Relief of Mafeking, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, unofficial rivets between fifth and sixth clasps (2321 Pte. W. Graham, 2: R. Scots Fus:) edge bruising, nearly very fine

W Graham served in South Africa during the Boer War as one of ‘Barton’s Fusilier Brigade’ which comprised 2nd Royal Fusiliers (27 men), 2nd Royal Irish Fusiliers (20 men), 1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers (1 officer and 25 men), and the 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers (1 officer and 25 men). With the exception of a very few ‘odd men’ in other units, these were the only Imperial troops present at the relief of Mafeking.

Frank,

Coincidentally, I raised that point and the numbers of men in the four units with DNW yesterday. Overall, the RHA provides 68 men to the relief force so a significant proportion.

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (4) Relief of Mafeking, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (5754 Pte. J. Harris, R. Welsh Fus:)
[KSA (2)]

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (4) Relief of Mafeking, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (3615 Pte. B. Moore, Rl. Irish Fus:)
[KSA (2)]

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (4) Relief of Mafeking, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (2061 Pte. W. Gray, R. Welsh Fus:)

William Gray served in South Africa during the Boer War as one of ‘Barton’s Fusilier Brigade’.

Clasps verified. No other entitlement traced.

The QSA to Private Gray sold yesterday for a hammer price of £1,500. Totals (inc VAT for UK only): £1,932. R37,900. Au$3,290. Can$2,860. US$2,120