TOPIC:

We all know that, if you didn't serve in the VCR or weren't one of the few NP men who "agitated" for the award of the KSA, you didn't get one if you served in the NFF.

That's why I thought it strange that nobody has mentioned the extremely rare instance of a KSA being awarded to the NMR which sold alongside my pair to Craig the other day. Unfortunately, the auction for both items ended at exactly the same time and, for the sake of my domestic future, I was obliged to go for one, not knowing how high the other would go.

What am I warbling on about? The QSA (Elandslaagte) to SSM CSP Garbutt of the NMR, along with the subject of this post, his KSA named to the NMR. A rarity indeed! In mitigation it has to be said that (and I include the extract from the roll), Garbutt did go on to serve as a Lieutenant with the VCR BUT, nothing can take away from the story the fact that his KSA was named to the NMR rightly or wrongly.

I wonder who bought it? The pair went for R15 100 which is not a bad price for this most anomalous of medals.

Regards

Rory

Dear Rory

It was bought for me. So I'm the lucky purchaser. I collect pairs, one of which is a QSA.

I read your interesting posts, including that on Craig. When I read it I immediately realized it is really a trio.

Thank you very much for this detailed post.

Best regards
Peter Jordi

Well done Peter - it is a marvellous pair to have.

Quite rare as well, I think.

Regards

Rory

Rory and Peter


From this document it would seem that KSA medals were produced and sent to G.O.C. South Africa for issue.
I understand from this that only the Natal Mounted Rifles, Umvoti Mounted Rifles and Natal Field Artillery had medals ready for issue to these Regiments, and subsequently, unless qualifying service was achieved with another unit, these medals were denied. However, in the case of 28 names on the NMR roll, these are noted as being issued, the majority under authority AG2/SA/10959, which is the main KSA roll for the Natal Volunteer Composite Regiment.
I would assume the authorities in South Africa, who had the medals in hand issued them to those that qualified, rather than sending the lot back and waiting for re-issues named to the N.V.C.R., in which case Garbutt's medal would be named as a Lieutenant.

Still a very unusual and very desirable KSA to own

Regards
Jon