TOPIC:

According to Bond of Sacrifice, p.147, Gath enlisted in 18th Hussars in 1899 and served in South Africa for two years, being awarded the Queen's and the King's medals, but I have been unable to find how many clasps he received. Gath went to France with 3rd Hussars as a Sergeant in August 1914 and received a field commission on 1 October 1914, to be served with 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys). He was killed on 30 October 1914 and according to Bond, De Ruv and CWGC he was still with the 3rd Hussars. Given the chaos of the time and with the cavalry manning the trenches at the time, this is perhaps understandable, although I do not know if he died with the Hussars or the Dragoons. If anyone can help, especially with the clasps, I'd be grateful.
Thanks
Mike

Mike
I have had a look on my quite reliable CD regarding names/QSA clasps for Imperial Cavalry for the ABW and I am afraid that your man (C.H. Gath of 18th Hussars) is not shown. Nor is his name shown during a quick perusal of the nominal rolls in Burnett's "The 18th Hussars in South Africa". Would you please check again the naming on the medals?
Regards
IL.

Thanks for getting back. The information comes from his short biography in Bond of Sacrifice for 1914. Maybe he transferred to 3rd Hussars in South Africa? Anyway, thanks for trying.

Mike

Does the below help? - found on Find My Past - note the "Discharged under age 10.6.99". Otherwise no evidence on Ancestry/FMP that a C H/Charles Henry Gath served in the South African War of 1899-1902 (but not a fool-proof test due to lost records, transcription errors etc).

Many thanks, very intriguing. He was 16 years and 8 months in May 1899 and was born In Nunhead, so it is him. Perhaps he enlisted in the cavalry under an assumed name?

discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C1065173

is the link to the officer papers of 2nd Lieutenant Charles Henry GATH Hussars held at the National Archives

They are not available on-line. Paid researcher could copy them for you.

Pete