TOPIC:

I've acquired a QSA with Elandslaagte clasp to 3910 Pte. H. Edwards of the Devons. He was M.I.D. in the London Gazette of 10 September 1901 and is listed among many others from not only his regiment but others as well,

Would anyone have a view on why he was Mentioned in Dispatches? As far as I know the Devons were in the Eastern Transvaal around that time but I can't find any specific reference to an action they were involved in.

Regards

Rory

Hi rory,

It could be quite time consuming. The Devons were part of the 2nd Brigade (under Hillyard) for the 1st part of the war (at least), I would start looking through his despatches from November '99. That will give you a starting point at least. Chances are it was for the 1st phase of the war.

Regards

Thank you Simon - there is merit to what you suggest - below is an example of another M.I.D. fellow who was mentioned in the same dispatch as Edwards. Du Port was gone from South Africa by mid 1900 yet M.I.D. published more than a year later. Ergo Edwards could have been Mentioned for Elandslaagte/Defence of Ladysmith/Belfast etc.

exactly, as you know the awards lists and MID's were basically a yearly job lot. Very frustrating at the best of times.

Regards

Hi,
Perhaps you have checked, but just in case the following may be of interest:
Devonshire Regt
Edwards, H
"Rendered special and meritorious service"
Mentioned in the despatch of Lord Roberts, 04/09/1901

Reference: South African War - Mentioned in Despatches; Maloyd, A