TOPIC:

I bought this medal for the challenge it represents but require the collective brainpower and sleuthing skills of members here to come to my assistance....

John Jacob Skaberg served with the 1st Railway Pioneer Regiment, 1st Kitchener's Fighting Scouts and Steinaecker's Horse in consecutive order. His RPR attestation form (below) suggests - and this is how he signed his name - that his surname was SKABURG. Enter from left field the SH entry from Bill Woolmer's book on the unit (below) and you will see yet another combination and different spellings of his names. Add then to the mix the names he went under with KFS and SH and we have rampant confusion as to who exactly Mr S is.

The blurb from the seller of the medal (which is named 672 PTE.J.J.SCABERG RLY: PNR: REGT.) suggests that he was a POW with the RPR - possibly because of the various iterations of his surname, I have been unable to find him in the casualty lists. Of course he might not be there at all?

This, and finding out who he was, is where I need help. Any and all suggestions welcome.

Regards

Rory

Hi Rory
He is recorded as JJS Kaberg

Best wishes

Dave...

PS


Possible connection how he got to Australia.
Chrystalbrook may have been a town near Cairns back in the 1900s ? Quick search on Google only mentions Chrystalbrook hotels in Cairns.

I am obliged to you Dave - I don't think I would ever have found him as JJS Kaberg!

What is odd, unless I'm reading your casualty roll incorrectly, is that he was taken POW on 23 December 1900 and released on 27 November? I think this is a typo and should read "Released 27 DECEMBER 1900.

What say you (and others)? Would you agree?

Regards

Rory

Rory
I agree, I think it should read 27th December 1900.

Dave.....

Rory,

The completed sections so his KFS papers.

His signature and StH attestation