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Pictures courtesy of BoB

QSA (3) CC Tr Witt (RSM F. J. Mulligan. Border Horse)

Pictures courtesy of BoB

QSA (3) CC Tr Witt (RSM F. J. Mulligan. Border Horse)

Pictures courtesy of BoB

QSA (3) CC Tr Witt (RSM F. J. Mulligan. Border Horse)

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (2) Cape Colony, Wittebergen (Pte .W. R. Cole. Border Horse.)

QSA (2) listed on WO100/236p280. Wepener crossed through. Also served 2nd ILH.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Kimberley, Transvaal, unofficial rivets between first and second clasps (5320 Pte. M. Thwaites, 1: Bord: Regt.);
KSA (2) (5320 Pte. M. Thwaites. Border Regt.)

Marshall Thwaites was born in Leasonthorn, Durham, around 1878. A groom by profession, he attested for the Border Regiment at Penrith on 11 January 1897 and was raised Corporal 22 February 1898 whilst stationed on the island of Malta. Posted to South Africa from 27 September 1899 to 28 September 1902, his Army Service Record confirms entitlement and notes a reduction in the ranks for misconduct in April 1900. The Cumberland & Westmoreland Herald of 20 January 1900 adds a little more information regarding the recipient’s experiences at around this time:

‘Lance-Corpl. M. Thwaites, of the 1st Border, writing home to his father and mother at Old London-road, Penrith, from Frere, says: “Just a few lines to let you know that I am still in the land of the living. We had another big fight on the 15th at the Tugela River, near Colenso. We went out early in the morning, and the first shot was fired at 6-15 a.m. We were on the left, and it was reported that there was none of the enemy near our flank, but we soon found out they were strongly entrenched and had big guns - Maxims, Nordenfeldt, and Hotchkiss. When we got about 800 yards from their position we had a heavy fire poured into us... There was a perfect hail of bullets. It was like a hailstorm on an iron roof... The Boers robbed our dead. Our regiment lost eight killed, four died of wounds, and 42 wounded, including Major Heygate (both legs broken by shell), Captain Probyn (shot in calf of leg), and Lieut. Marsh (shot in left shoulder). Some of our killed had their heads knocked off”.’

Thwaites later went on to witness further action at Estcourt. Returned home to Army Reserve he was discharged upon termination of first period of engagement on 10 January 1909.