TOPIC:

I recently acquired the group in the photo below to Ralph Henry Hammersley-Smith, C.B.E. HS was MID for WWI and 4 x MID for the North West Frontier being awarded first the OBE which was then upgraded to the CBE in 1923 (1st Type).

I have found him on the KSA roll but am at a loss when it comes to the QSA roll so am asking for assistance from viewers. He served in the ranks of the Imperial Yeomanry before being commissioned into the ASC.

Please help



Regards

Rory

Rory,

How is his QSA named?

Rory
I can't find a Hammersley-Smith on my IY CD roll; though there are a couple of "Hammersleys" - but no R or R H. And the Boer War Services of Officers is of no help regarding his OR service.
IL.

Rory,

There are only two men called Ralph Henry on the IY roll. One is a Smith, number 11182 (61st Squadron, initial J on the roll), by that is not your man.

Rory,

I have found an RHH Smith, Trooper 612 Orange River Colony Provincial Police. Could this be your man?

WO100/263 page 0

Regards

Simon

Rory - I have to disagree with David, I think he has found your man:



If I had included the whole page you would see he attested in Feb 1900 making him born in the right place at the right time.

The last page of his records indicate the clasps attached to his QSA. The intervening pages show, as David found, he served in the 61st Coy IY. They also say he was discharged medically unfit on 15 June 1901.



I presume you have the photo of him in uniform wearing only his Boer War medals plus the one of his demur wife pretending to read a book. If not, you can find them attached to a public family tree on Ancestry.

Regards, David.