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This group has been posted before in another category when sold by Spinks in 2014. The medals were acquired by the Leicestershire Regimental Museum.

Gilbert wrote a book entitled "Rhodesia and after; being the story of the 17th and 18th Battalions of Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa". Its apparently an interesting read - I've only seen excerpts - in particular how they got to Rhodesia via Beira and along the railway to Umtali (now Mutare) just inside the border of Rhodesia. What seems clear is that on 17 May - the cutoff date for the Rhodesia clasp right? - he and many others who got the clasp - were not even in Rhodesia. They left Southampton 6 April, had got to Beira on 4/5 May, had to stay a week on the ship before being landed and then struggled very slowly up the new railway line. All very congested as with the siege of Mafeking the railway line from Cape Town was blocked and Beira was the only way to supply Rhodesia.

The blurb from the sale copied below - not sure about him being "captured by the Boers at Aberdeen in Rhodesia". Anyone heard of that action or place?

QSA (4) CC RHOD OFS SA01 (11991 Tpr: S.H. Gilbert, 65th Coy. 17th Impl: Yeo:)
BWM & VM (240682 C.Sjt. S.H. Gilbert. Leic. R.)
Territorial Force War Medal (240682 C. Sjt. S.H. Gilbert. Leic. R.)
Coronation 1902
Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (615194 R.Q.M. Sgt - A.C.S. Mjr. - S.H. Gilbert. Lab: C.)
Volunteer Force Long Service & G.C., E.VII.R. (7715 Serjt: S.H. Gilbert. 1/V.B. Leicester Regt.)

240682 Company Sergeant Major Sharrad Holland Gilbert, 'was born 10th November 1868 in a small room over his Father's Chemist shop in East Shilton. At the age of 13 he left school and joined the firm Crows Trinhlor for a seven year apprenticeship as a Hosier. During 1886 he joined the First Volunteer Battalion Leicestershire Regiment.

At the outbreak of the Boer War in 1899 Sharrad applied to serve with his service company, the Leicestershire Regiment. Despite his 15 years' service with the local Volunteers his application was rejected. Being a very determined man he approached and was accepted in an unknown branch of the service and enrolled in the ranks of the Imperial Yeomanry 65th Squadron, 17th Battalion Leicestershire, and served in South Africa for a period of fifteen months during which time he saw much action and was in fact captured by the Boers at Aberdeen in Rhodesia. However, he and several other prisoners over-powered their Guard and made a daring escape.

In 1901 the Imperial Yeomanry were recalled to England and Sharrad H. Gilbert's service was terminated. Immediately on his return to Hinckley he rejoined the Volunteer Battalion and remained in the 1st Battalion Volunteers until 1908 when the Volunteers were disabled and the new Territorial Army was formed. His service continued with the Territorial Army right up until the 1914/18 European War where again he saw action in France. He finally left the Army in 1921 after serving a total of 35 years.... The remainder of his civilian life was spent in and around Burbage.

He lived for many years in Britannia Road and in later years almost became a recluse. Unfortunately during the latter part of his life he went deaf and blind and eventually passed away on 11th March 1961 at the Manor Hospital, Nuneaton, aged 93. He is buried in the St. Catherine's Churchyard, Burbage, in an, as yet unmarked grave.

Apart from his military service Sharrad H. Gilbert on his return from the South African War wrote an interesting account of his services in the Imperial Yeomanry. The book was published by Simpson Marshall entitled Rhodesia and After.'

zimfieldguide.com/mashonaland-east/story...a-field-force-during

www.hinckleypastpresent.org/ww1sharradhgilbert.html

Jon,

Thank you for an interesting article and links too. I like those colourised photos.