TOPIC:

Yeah, its mentioned on the catalogue you posted. The medal roll is ticked for CC and OFS then crossed out. Perhaps the error lies with the paper work and the OFS and Paardeberg clasps were issued before the mistake was spotted. It mentions on the roll that a duplicate medal was issued and cannot be recovered , certainly looks like a clerical error has contributed to the confusion.

I would like to re-open this enquiry if I may. What has been established so far is that 32 men who earned the DoK clasp earned that for Paardeberg as well - Meder was one of the 32. (Who were the others?)

The siege of Kimberley ended on 15 February 1900 - three days later the battle of Paardeberg - a protracted affair which lasted from 18 to 27 February1900, commenced. Meder served with the KTG (Beaconsfield) and only enlisted with Damant's Horse (Rimington's Guides) on 19 November 1900 and served with them well into 1902.

How was it possible for him to earn the Paardeberg clasp with the Kimberley Town Guard? Were there a select group of men (the 32) who left Kimberley after relief, galloped down to Paardeberg, and partook in that battle (or enough of it to earn the clasp) in the role of scout or intelligence?

Help needed please.

Regards

Rory

Rory

Just trying to understand the logic here, you talk of 32 men, are these from Damants Horse or from various Kimberley Regiments?
I have a write up and nominal roll of these men who earned the Defence of Kimberley and Paardeberg combination and there were approximately 140 men who received these clasps.
He could only have earned it with the Town Guard as his Remingtons Guide roll shows him attesting way after Paardeberg.
The men from Kimberley who earned the Paardeberg clasp where simply those that were fit enough to ride, after the deprivations during the Siege.They did not take part in the battle, but were there as escorts with the bread supply wagons, and thus qualified for Paardeberg being in the area within the dates specified to qualify. This article written by Dave Willis, an expert in the Kimberley Siege, and published in the MMSSA journal many years ago.


Jon

Thanks Jon - that's exactly the info I was looking for. Would you mind sharing your source? Apropos the 32 - I got that figure from the 1991 DNW description when Meder's medals were sold off. See below.

Check my post, just added the article.