TOPIC:

These 9 bar QSA's are extremely scarce but what makes them even more interesting is that so many are in interesting groups.

I only have handled 3 of these medals in my time, all 3 were in groups. However, the most interesting is to Col A Hershell South African Forces. He really got around in WW1.

That group blows me away!

The Duxbury article should not be considered gospel. What he did not do is find the supplementary rolls. You will find there are a couple more 9 bar ones where the date bar is sitting in the supplementary roll.



An example is this to WH Glanville. The clasp was issued in 1907.

Ryan

This isn't 9 bars on the QSA but is 10 overall. It's to James Augustus Harmer. I have never known what to do with this group as it does not fit my theme of South African participants, but cost a lot so I don't know if I will ever recover my money.

At 20 years old Harmer signs up to the Commisiarat and Transport Corps for 3 years. He had been living at home until then. His service history shows him serving from 7 July 1887 to 3 October 1899 in the UK.

Harmer didn’t waste his time in the army earning a third class education certificate in 1888, a second class two years later and then his first class.

Promotion came quickly wit his first step up being to Lance Corporal in 1889. He was promoted every few years to retire as a 1st Class Staff Serjent Major, and then later as a Captain.

During this time Harmer settled in and took advantage of promotion to get married to Clarice Maria Godsmark in St Paul’s Church in Chatham on 15 November 1894.

From 6 October 1899 to 2 January 1903 Harmer serves in South Africa. During the Boer War Harmer served in No. 19 “R” and “L” Companies. Harmer is a classic example of someone who covered the entire Western campaign up until the capture of Pretoria and Belfast, and then beyond, who also then stayed on into 1902. Harmer saw out the entire war.

The number of 8 bar QSA’s is low by comparison. Where this is 8 battle bars, with then another 2 date bars on a KSA, this becomes a rare medal group. For his service Harmer was awarded the QSA with clasps Belmont, Modder River, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesberg, Diamond Hill, Belfast, as well as a KSA.

Harmer was an achiever and was Mentioned in Despatches in 1901.

Marriage must have been going well and on 14 April 1904 he had a son.

Harmer’s success continued and on 19 October 1906 as T/7525 Staff Sgt Mjr he is promoted to 1st Class Staff Sergent Major.

In 1908 he moves to No. 15 Company Warwick.

By 1909 Harmer is getting older but is confirmed as serving beyond 21 years till the 6 July 1912.

In 1910 Hamer is a member of the ASC Old Comrades Club. At this point he begins to seem to be preparing for eventual retirement.

On the 6 July 1912 Harmer is discharged after 25 years service. He received a pension as a warrant officer. His conduct is listed as exemplary.

Retirement didn’t last long for Harmer as World War One came up quickly. Harmer was called up into the Royal Army Veterinary Corp. He was still very capable and experienced, and moved beyond warrant officer to be made Temporary Quarter Master and Lieutenant on 28 November 1915.

Harmer entered France in December 1917, which earned him the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

He was made Captain on 28 January 1918.

After the war Harmer went back to a well deserved retirement. In the 1923 Army List he is shown as in receipt of a pension.

My example.
Trooper J Lane, Cape Yeomanry and Damant's Horse
SAGS 1877-8-9
CGHGS Basutoland
QSA 8 +1

Another example to :

Captain Robert Hare Soundy
Western Province Mounted Rifles, Damants Horse
Bushmanland Borderers

QSA 8 on Damants Horse roll, medal named to WPMR as per roll note.
KSA 2