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The 2nd Dragoons served throughout the war.

Behind these two medals, which are sometimes overlooked because of the clasps they contain, is a lot of hard work during the war.


Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (3) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (4595 Pte W. Payne. 2nd Dragoons);
KSA (2) (4595 Pte F. [sic] Payne. 2nd Drgns:)

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (2) Cape Colony, Driefontein (2423 Serjt:-Tptr: H. Inkster. 2nd Dragoons);
Army LS&GC VR, small letter reverse (2423 Serjt:-Tptr: H. T. Inkster. 2nd Dragoons),

Wounded in action at Driefontein on 10 March 1900, one of just two men - No. 4394 Private Harris the other - of the unit to be so.

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (2) Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg (3383 Tptr. W. Woods, 2nd Dragoons)

William Joseph Wood (note Woods on medal) was born in Gravesend, Kent, and enlisted as a Boy into the Royal Scots Greys at Dundalk Barracks on 6 August 1889, aged 14 years, 2 months. Appointed a Bandsman in June 1893 and Trumpeter in August 1897, he served in South Africa, November 1899-June 1900. Discharged as medically unfit at Edinburgh on 6 May 1901.

Sold with copied discharge papers and a Scots Greys cap badge which has been added for display purposes.

Royal Scots Greys – officers group. Left to right and top to bottom.

Foster, Lieutenant C P, Royal Scots Greys;
Harrison, Lieutenant J C, Royal Scots Greys;
St Clair, 2nd Lieutenant the Hon A J, Royal Scots Greys;
Pringle, Veterinary Captain R, Royal Scots Greys;
Seymour, 2nd Lieutenant A G, Royal Scots Greys;
Collins, Captain W F, Royal Scots Greys;
Lindsay, Captain Hon R, Royal Scots Greys

Source: ILN 16 September 1899

Scots Greys in review order

Source: ILN 4 November 1899

Picture courtesy of Spink

QS (4) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Belfast (4079 Pte. J. McKilligan. 2nd Dragoons).

John Hardie was a native of Dranie, Lossiemouth, Morayshire. He seems to have had a tough childhood, for by the time he was aged four he was living with his grandparents whose surname was McKilligan. Enlisting in Glasgow in 1895, he served with the 2nd Dragoons who arrived in South Africa in December 1899 and took part in the Relief of Kimberley. McKilligan did not get earn that clasp - possibly on account of illness, but he also did not get the Diamond Hill clasp.

According to South African Surrenders (TNA WO108/372, refers), McKilligan on 27 May 1900:

'Was captured when out scouting, his horse was killed and fell on him preventing his escape.'

Further proof of his capture comes from the list of released Prisoners of War published in The Times, with him being released on 6 June 1900. He earned the King's Medal which was issued under the surname 'Hardie'. The medal may have been returned, the roll is not clear.

Appears to be one of only 4 Medals with this clasp combination issued to Regiment.