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When did you last see a medal to this unit? The answer is probably never, and you are seeing it for the first time. The unit? The Cycle Despatch Riders. The theatre? As you can see from the clasps - Natal. There are only 2 medals on the roll - one to Arthur and one other to his brother Frank. The comment on the roll states: - Attached to 2nd Division, Natal Field Force. The Shimwell brothers were famous cycle vendors in the pre and post war days of Johannesburg. More about him anon. My thanks to a fellow collector who was prepared to part with him.

Wow, that's fantastic, Rory.

It's marvellous when, in the man's own hand, you get verification of where and with whom he served!