TOPIC:

I would like to ask for your help to identify medals with the clasp Defence of Ladysmith. This is in preparation for a book on the QSA with clasp Defence of Ladysmith This will take approximately 18 months to complete.

These are the units I have identified so far. The numbers after the colon represent the number of medals identified. There are subtotals for each different section. For some of the units, this is an accurate number but, for others, more work is needed to confirm the entitlement. There are certainly duplicates and omissions but this first pass is to identify the units that received the clasp.

Staff: 31

Cavalry: 3,049
Royal Horse Guards: 6
1st Dragoons: 2
2nd Dragoon Guards: 1
3rd Hussars: 1
4th Dragoon Guards: 17
4th Hussars: 23
5th Dragoon Guards: 652
5th Lancers: 885
6th Dragoon Guards: 1
6th Dragoons: 2
7th Dragoon Guards: 3
7th Hussars: 2
8th Hussars: 1
9th Lancers: 3
11th Hussars: 76
16th Lancers: 11
17th Lancers: 1
18th Hussars: 806
19th Hussars: 555
20th Hussars: 1

Infantry: 6,741
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders: 1
Devonshire Regiment: 838
Gloucester Regiment: 523
Gordon Highlanders: 834
Grenadier Guards: 1
King's Own Scottish Borderers: 6
KRRC: 641
Leicester Regiment: 979
Life Guards: 2
Liverpool Regiment: 906
Manchester Regiment: 876
Middlesex Regiment: 1
Norfolk Regiment: 6
Rifle Brigade: 784
Royal Dublin Fusiliers: 45
Royal Fusiliers: 8
Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers: 234
Royal Irish Fusiliers: 19
Royal Irish Regiment: 6
Royal Lancaster Regiment: 3
Royal Scots: 2
Royal Scots Fusiliers: 1
Royal West Surrey Regiment: 5
Scottish Rifles: 14
Seaforth Highlanders: 2
Somerset Light Infantry: 1
South Staffordshire Regiment: 1
West Riding Regiment: 1
Wiltshire IY: 1

Artillery: 1,318
Army Ordnance Corps: 1
Army Ordnance Department: 5
RA: 5
RA, Ammunition Column, 2nd: 24
RA, Ammunition Column, 3rd: 2
RA, Ammunition Column, 4th: 59
RA, Ammunition Column, 5th: 27
RA, Ammunition Column, 7th: 10
RFA, Staff: 20
RFA, 4th: 1
RFA, 5th: 2
RFA, 7th: 1
RFA, 10th: 2
RFA, 13th: 184
RFA, 14th: 2
RFA, 21st: 121
RFA, 42nd: 182
RFA, 53rd: 168
RFA, 62nd: 3
RFA, 63rd: 1
RFA, 64th: 1
RFA, 65th: 2
RFA, 66th: 1
RFA, 67th: 172
RFA, 68th: 1
RFA, 69th: 174
RFA, 73rd: 5
RFA, 74th: 1
RFA, 77th: 1
RFA, 78th: 1
RFA, 81st: 1
RFA, 82nd: 1
RFA, 86th: 3
RFA, 87th: 6
RFA, 105th: 1
RFA, 117th: 2
RFA, 130th: 1
RGA Staff: 1
RGA, 10th Mountain Battery: 88
RHA: 1
RHA, A Battery: 26
RHA, G Battery: 1
RHA, J Battery: 6
RHA, X Battery: 1

Royal Engineers: 342

Medical: 236
Army Hospital Corps: 52
Army Veterinary Department: 5
RAMC: 179

Support: 140
Army Chaplains' Department: 6
Army Pay Department: 1
Army Service Corps: 132
Remount Dept: 1

Colonial: 1,810
Border Mounted Rifles: 277
Commander in Chief's Body Guard: 3
Dundee Town Guard: 2
Durban Light Infantry: 5
Field Intelligence Department: 19
French's Scouts: 2
Imperial Light Horse: 348
Imperial Military Railways: 3
Johannesburg Mounted Rifles: 4
Ladysmith TG: 165
Natal Carbineers: 430
Natal Guides: 45
Natal Mounted Rifles: 223
Natal Naval Volunteers: 67
Natal Police: 97
Natal Royal Rifles: 1
Natal Volunteer Hotchkiss Detachment: 21
Natal Volunteer Medical Corps: 12
Natal Volunteer Staff: 14
Natal Volunteer Transport Service: 26
Natal Volunteer Veterinary Corps: 6
Railway Pioneer Regiment: 1
South African Constabulary: 32
South African Light Horse: 2
Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry: 3
Umvoti Mounted Rifles: 1
Utrecht Vryheid Mounted Police: 1

Indian: 64
Calcutta Light Horse: 1
Indian Ordnance Department: 19
Indian Subordinate Medical Department: 22
Supply and Transport: 22

Royal Navy: 284
HMS Powerful: 283
HMS Terrible: 1

Other: 9
Civilian: 4
Correspondent: 4
Press Censors' Department: 1

Total: 14,024

If you can add any units to this list, please let me know.

David
The Buxton FID book actually shows sixty-one Defence of Ladysmith clasps awarded to its members. I can trawl for their names if you wish. I was pleased to see you have included the Indian contribution! I have a bronze QSA to a kneader in the Supply and Transport Corps who WOULD have been entitled to DofL had the bronze QSAs been awarded clasps. "39 Kneader Kuppusawmy" may have had a supporting role - but a pretty vital one!
Best regards
IL.

Thank you for that, IL.

I did look at Buxton's book and noted that he included the Natal Guides in his FID information. The medal roll for the Natal Guides is in 301 and under the overall title of the FID but, as we know, their medals were not named to the FID. The Press Censors' Department is similar.

With the FID, Natal Guides and PCD, I have 58 names, close to Buxton's 61. There is one man listed by Buxton that I cannot trace, one man included where his medal is known to be issued to another unit but where there is the potential for a second issue to the FID. Lastly, he lists elsewhere under the FID pages, a man ex Natal Guides.

So, all in all, very close.

With thanks again
David

Hi David,

Not entirely sure what format you require the information in. If you want to know which medals are extant then I can add the following:

QSA (SA1901, Belfast, Laings Nek, Defence of Ladysmith) to Pte Richard Morris, 11th Hussars

Thank you, gavmedals.

Interestingly, he is listed on the 19th Hussars for the QSA and 11th Hussars for SA01.

Here you go David, use as you wish..... Mike

DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH

BORDER MOUNTED RIFLES
MELLVILLE, L. S.
REG. NO.: 386
RANK: TROOPER
REGT: BORDER MOUNTED RIFLES
BARS: DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH
REMARKS / HISTORY:
1. DIED OF DISEASE, LADYSMITH, FEBRUARY 24th, 1900
2. NATAL CASUALTY LIST - PAGE 213
3. VERIFIED - W0-100 / 260
4. MEMORIAL PLAQUE - BRONZE, 44 mm
6. BURIED IN INTOMBE CEMETARY

DEVONSHIRE REGIMENT, 1st BATTALION
O'BRIEN. E.
REG. NO.: 3487
RANK: PRIVATE
REGT: DEVONSHIRE REGIMENT, 1st BATTALION
BARS: ELANDSLAAGTE, DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH, BELFAST
REMARKS / HISTORY:
1. KING'S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL, USUAL 2 BARS
2. SLIGHTLY WOUNDED AT BERGENDAL, August 27th 1900

MILDON, C.
REG. NO.: 4717
RANK: PRIVATE
REGT: DEVONSHIRE REGIMENT, 1st BATTALION
BARS: ELANDSLAAGTE, DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH, BELFAST
REMARKS / HISTORY:
1. KING'S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL - USUAL TWO BARS.
2. 1914 - 1915 STAR, 1914 - 1918 WAR MEDAL, INTERALLIED VICTORY MEDAL, 3-7643 A/COLOUR SERT. D. MILDON, DEAVONSHIRE REGT.

ISAAC, H.
REG. NO.: 4149
RANK: PRIVATE
REGT: DEVONSHIRE REGIMENT, 1st BATTALION
BARS: ELANDSLAAGTE, DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH, BELFAST
REMARKS / HISTORY:
1. KING'S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL, USUAL TWO BARS

FIELD ARTILLERY, ROYAL
GRUMBRELL, W. (WILLIAM).
REG. NO.: 90660
RANK: DRIVER
REGT: ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY
BARS: CAPE COLONY, DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH, ORANGE FREE STATE, TRANSVAAL, LAING'S NEK, SOUTH AFRICA 1901

FIELD ARTILLERY, ROYAL, 53rd BATTERY
HAYES, G. W. (GEORGE)
REG. NO.: 22332
RANK: GUNNER
REGT: 53rd BATTERY, ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY
BARS: DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH, LAING'S NEK, BELFAST, SOUTH AFRICA 1901
REMARKS / HISTORY:
1. 1914 STAR C/W BAR - 22332 GUNNER G. W. HAYES, R.F.A.
2. WAR /VICTORY MEDAL - 22332 GUNNER G.W. HAYES RA
3. 1914 STAR AND BAR VERIFIED FROM NATIONAL ARCHIVES, 33rd BRIGADE/BATTERY, ENTERED FRANCE 6-11-14.
4. HOME MADE DOG TAG FROM WORLD WAR ONE
5. PHOTO IN CIVILIAN CLOTHES
6. RELIGIOUS MEDAL

FIELD ARTILLERY, ROYAL, 69th BATTERY
SADLER, H.
REG. NO.: 535
RANK: DRIVER
REGT: 69th BATTER, ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY
BARS: TALANA, DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH
REMARKS / HISTORY:
1. MARKED AS INVALIDED RETURNED HOME

GLOUCHESTERSHIRE REGIMENT
BOX, E.
REG. NO.: 4964
RANK: PRIVATE
REGT: 1st BATTALION, GLOUCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT
BARS: DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH, ORANGE FREE STATE

GORDON HIGHLANDERS
TATE, F. R.
REG. NO.: 4243
RANK: CORPORAL
REGT: GORDON HIGHLANDERS
BARS: ELANDSLAAGTE, DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH, ORANGE FREE STATE, TRANSVAAL, LAING'S NEK
REMARKS / HISTORY:
1) KING’S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL USUAL 2 BARS 4243 SARGENT GORDON HIGHLANDERS
2) 1914-1918 WAR MEDAL, CONDUCTOR INDIAN ORDNANCE DEPT.
3) INTERALLIED VICTORY MEDAL, CONDUCTOR INDIAN ORD. DEPT.
4) ARMY L.S.C.G., EDWARD VII, STORE SGT. INDIAN ORD. DEPT.
5) SLIGHTLY WOUNDED AT ROOI KOOPIES, 21/08/00

HUSSARS, 19th, QUEEN ALEXANDRA'S OWN ROYAL
PARIS, J.
REG. NO.: 4015
RANK: PRIVATE
REGT: 19th HUSSARS, QUEEN ALEXANDRA'S OWN ROYAL
BARS: DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH

IMPERIAL LIGHT HORSE
PEARCE, F.W. (Fred West)
REG. NO.: 357
RANK: TROOPER
REGT: IMPERIAL LIGHT HORSE
BARS: ELANDSLAAGTE, DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH
REMARKS / HISTORY:
1. Letter from Captain and Adj. of I.L.H. to Father
2 Letter from Commanding Officer of I.L.H. to Father
3. Photo of Remnants of I.L.H. after Siege of Ladysmith
4. Photo of Intombi Cemetery, Ladysmith

IRISH FUSILIERS, ROYAL PRINCESS VICTORIA’S 1st BATTALION
McCARRON, P.
REG. NO.: 6127
RANK: PRIVATE
REGT: ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS, PRINCESS VICTORIA’S 1st BATT.
BARS: TALANA, DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH, ORANGE FREE STATE, TRANSVAAL
REMARKS / HISTORY:
1. BORN IN THE PARISH OF DRUMCLOSE, LANAVADY, DERRY, IRELAND
2. ENLISTED IN R.I.F., January 26th, 1898
3. AGE - 19
4. TRADE - LABOURER
5. HOME - February 7th, 1898 TO February 10th, 1899
6. EGYPT - February 11th, 1899 TO September 29th, 1899
7. SOUTH AFRICA - September 30th, 1899 TO January 16th, 1903
8. INDIA - January 17th, 1903 TO February 6th, 1908
9. HOME - February 7th, 1908 to January 25th, 1910
10. PROMOTED LANCE-CORPORAL November 22nd, 1900
11. PROMOTED CORPORAL January 1st, 1901
12. COURT MARTIALLED FOR DRUNKENNESS November 27th, 1902, REDUCED TO RANK OF PRIVATE.
13. PROMOTED LANCE CORPORAL October 12th, 1903
14. REVERTED TO PRIVATE March 11th, 1904 AT OWN REQUEST TO EXTEND SERVICE.
15. N.O.K. - MOTHER - PARSONS LANE, LANAVADY, DERRY.
16. VERIFIED P.R.O. - WO-97/5384
17. CORPORAL, ENTITLED TO K.S.A.

KING'S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS, 1st BATTALION
SHEPHERD, W. H. G.
REG. NO.: 289
RANK: PRIVATE
REGT: KING'S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS, 1st BATTALION
BARS: TALANA, DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH, TRANSVAAL, LAING'S NEK
REMARKS / HISTORY:
1. VERIFIED ON ROLL SEE FILE, WO - 100/345 p 75

LANCERS, 5th
GREEN, D.
REG. NO.: 4142
RANK: PRIVATE
REGT: 5th LANCERS (ROYAL IRISH)
BARS: ELANDSLAAGATE, DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH

LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT
SHORT, F.
REG. NO.: 4360
RANK: PRIVATE
REGT: 1st LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT
BARS: TALANA, DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH, LAING'S NEK, BELFAST

MANCHESTER REGIMENT. 1st BATTALION
PARKER, R.
REG. NO.: 4658
RANK: PRIVATE
REGT: MANCHESTER REGIMENT. 1st BATTALION
BARS: CAPE COLONY, DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH, BELFAST

WELDON, H.H.
REG. NO.: 3672
RANK: PRIVATE
REGT: 1st MANCHESTER REGIMENT
BARS: ELANDSLAAGTE, DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH, TRANSVAAL
REMARKS / HISTORY:
1. KING’S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL, 3672 DRUMMER, USUAL 2 BARS
2. ENTITLED TO CAPE COLONY BAR, STATES BAR RETURNED TO MINT, STATED DECEASED, 15/08/10

NATAL CARBINEERS
CROUCH, W. J.
REG. NO.: 95
RANK: CORPORAL
REGT: NATAL CARBINEERS
BARS: DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH, ORANGE FREE STATE, TRANSVAAL, LAING'S NEK, SOUTH AFRICA 1901
REMARKS / HISTORY:
1. NATAL REBELLION MEDAL, 1906 BAR - 95 W.J.CROUCH, NATAL CARBINEERS

NAVY, ROYAL, H.M.S. POWERFUL
BRADFORD, JOHN
REG. NO.: 125-651
RANK: ABLE-SEAMAN
REGT: ROYAL NAVY, H.M.S. POWERFUL
BARS: DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH
REMARKS / HISTORY: VERIFIED IN FEVYER AND WILSON

RIFLE BRIGADE
CLARE, WILLIAM
REG. NO.: 2955
RANK: PRIVATE / CORPORAL
REGT: THE RIFLE BRIGADE (PRINCE CONSORTS OWN)
BARS: DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH, LAING'S NEK, BELFAST
REMARKS / HISTORY:
COMPLETE WITH ENROLMENT FORMS AND MEDAL ROLLS FOR ALL MEDALS
SUDAN MEDAL 1896-98, 2955 PRIVATE W. CLARE, 2/R. BDE.
KING'S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL, USUAL CLASPS, 2955 CORPORAL W. CLARE, RIFLE BRIGADE
KHEDIVE'S SUDAN MEDAL 1896-98, NAMED PRIVATELY, NO CLASP – ENTITLED TO KHARTOUM, 2955 PRIVATE W. CLARE, 2nd Bn. R. Bde.

RICHARDS, W.
REG. NO.: 4530
RANK: PRIVATE
REGT: RIFLE BRIGADE
BARS: DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH, LAING'S NEK, BELFAST
REMARKS / HISTORY:
1) QUEEN'S SUDAN MEDAL - 4530 PRIVATE W. RICHARDS 2nd RIFLE BRIGADE.
2) ENTITLED TO KHEDIVE'S SUDAN MEDAL 1896-1908, BARS - THE ATBARA AND (KHARTOUM. MISSING)
3) WOUNDED - 25th JUNE 1901, NEAR BANKPAW

SERVICE CORPS, ARMY
DEMPSEY, P.
REG. NO.: 13616
RANK: PRIVATE
REGT: ARMY SERVICE CORPS
BARS: DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH, LAING'S NEK, BELFAST