TOPIC:

I recently purchased a QSA to Pvt. 4649 EG Mahoney 16th Lancers. His medal was "Forfeited" in 1908.
Why would that be the case. Criminal conviction?

Ramah Spring,

There are several reasons why a man might forfeit his medals. The regulations for this were set out in Army Orders and Royal Warrants. The word forfeiture appears 175 time (mostly regarding pay) in the Manual of Military Law 1907.

1. Conviction by Court Martial. The most common reason for forfeiture.
2. Desertion
3. Discharge with ignominy or misconduct
4. Imprisonment or penal servitude
5. Self-inflicted wounds
6. Fraudulent enlistment
7. Royal discretion

From p577 of the Manual of Military Law, 1907

Picture courtesy of Morton and Eden

QSA (3) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Belfast (4473 Pte F.G. Goldsmith 16th Lancers).

Died of disease, Bloemfontein, 27 Mar 1901. No. '4547' on Casualty Roll.

SA01 listed on WO100/118p57.

Picture courtesy of Warwick and Warwick

QSA (2) Cape Colony, S. Africa 1902 (4734 L. Corpl: V. Wilson. 16th Lancers);
1914-15 star trio (1367 Pte. V. Wilson. North'd Yeo);
Silver war badge No. B20048;
1939-45 Star;
Atlantic Star;
Africa Star (1) N.Africa 1942-43;
BWM

Valentine Wilson was born 14 Feb 1883 in Hartlepool. He enlisted with Northumberland Hussars 4 Nov 1914 and was discharged due to wounds 1 May 1919. He joined Mercantile Marines on 13 Aug 1940 and was killed in the sinking of S.S. Baron Kinnaird, aged 59 on 12 Mar 1943. He is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial.

David
When details of a ship on which the medal recipient served are given, I often look up the ship and usually find very detailed accounts elsewhere on the Internet
This medal to Private Wilson, had a fascinating story made even more interesting by looking up the sinking of the SS Baron Kinnaird which in turn brought up Uboat.net with the details of 3rd engineer officer Wilson and where all hands were lost in the sinking, but the ship had previously been involved in a rescue from a U-boat sinking.
Wilson certainly had an eventful life

Thanks
Clive

Clive,

Having recently watched the file Greyhound, the plight of the merchant men in these ships was brought very much into stark focus.

Best wishes
David