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Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (7600 L. Cpl: E. A. Coppack. Vol: Coy. Rl: Welsh Fus)

Ernest Alfred Coppack attested for the Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 19 March 1901, having previously served with the 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion, and served in South Africa during the Boer War with the Composite Cycle Company; Coppack was one of five men of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers who served in this unit, of whom only four proceeded to South Africa. His service papers show his unit as North West District Cycle Company. He was promoted Corporal on 4 April 1902, and was discharged on 4 July 1902.

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (2) Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith (5696 Pte. T. Davies, R. Welsh Fus:)

T Davies attested for the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and served with the 1st Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War, dying of enteric fever at Frere on 8 January 1900.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (2) Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith (2930 Pte. R. C. Roberts, R. Welsh Fus:)

Robert Chambers Roberts was born in St Asaph and joined the Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 15 October 1890, a tailor by trade. Roberts served for eleven weeks in the Grenadier Guards earlier in the same year but purchased his discharge.

Having served in Crete, Roberts was discharged to the Army Reserve on 28 May 1898 but was recalled on 9 October 1899 and went out to South Africa for the Boer War. On 14 February 1900 he was wounded in action during the taking of Hussar Hill. Returned home in May 1900, he served at home until his discharge on 14 October 1902.

With the outbreak of the Great War, Roberts was recalled in October 1914 as a Sergeant at Caernarfon. In April 1916 he transferred to the Royal Defence Corps. Discharged in February 1919 giving his home address as 36 William St, Caernarfon, he did not earn any Medals for the Great War. Roberts died on 27 February 1939, at 2 Margaret Street, Caernarfon, having previously been awarded a Chelsea Pension.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (3) Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, South Africa 1901 (5876 Pte. G. Bennett, R. Welsh Fus:)

RoL & TH on WO100/181p11. SA01 on WO100/181p106.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Lieut. H. J. Phillips, R. Welsh Fus.)

Henry John Phillips was born at Chippenham, Wiltshire on 11 April 1880. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the 4th (Militia) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 9 September 1900.

From the Militia he was commissioned into the 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 14 September 1901. Served in South Africa, 1901-02 (Medal & 5 clasps). Promoted to Lieutenant in 1905 and to Captain in 1911, he was appointed Adjutant of the 7th (Merioneth & Montgomery) Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 5 April 1910.

Phillips died on Malta on 17 May 1914 following an operation for appendicitis. At the time he had been selected for Staff College, for which he was studying for his exams. As a youth he had hunted with the Beaufort Hounds and the Atherstone, where he '...earned a reputation for going very straight', latterly riding out with the United Hunt of Ireland and played polo for the North Wiltshire Club. Whilst in South Africa he had won a number of horse races, including a £50 race aboard 'Groggy', besides taking a great interest in hunting, which saw him add jackal to his bag. He played cricket for the Regiment XI and at one time for the Gentleman of Cheshire, being a Life Member.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (4) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (Lieut: W. Hatherley-Jones, 1st Bn. Rl. Welsh Fus:) naming impressed in a later style

William Hatherley Jones was appointed 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd (Volunteer) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 5 January 1898 and advanced to Lieutenant in December 1899. He resigned his commission on 18 September 1901.