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Hi Lesley....

Private Message..... Look on the left hand side of the forum.....

Mike

In post #5420 in this thread, I showed the QSA and briefly told of Sergeant Fred Mapstone of the Natal Carbineers, who died of wounds during the Siege of Ladysmith. Mapstone was wounded in Long Valley during an ill-conceived movement by Colonial troops against the Boers on 3/11/1899. He died a few days later and not on the night of 3 November as I stated in that post. Thanks to records compiled by Cameron Simpson, I now know of an account of that incident that was published in the 'Natal Mercury'. It is as follows:

"Trooper Thomas of the Border Mounted [Rifles] had a narrow shave on Friday [3.11.99] in going to the assistance of Sergeant Mapstone of the Carbineers. Mapstone was shot through the shoulder, the bullet coming out near the spine. He was hit while prone. Thomas stood over Mapstone giving him a drink, and a bullet took away a piece of the former's scalp, stunning him. In half an hour Thomas had recovered, but Mapstone succumbed yesterday."

The gallant Border Mounted Rifleman was 415 Trooper F J Thomas.

Brett

That's a great account Brett. It does make me think that for all we do know of these events it is but a drop in the ocean of the available information. Bit by bit, we are slowly expanding the boundaries of subject knowledge.

Cam's research will be an amazing addition to the knowledge base and I look forward to that immensely.

Best wishes
David

Hi All,

I have three in my posession-
685 Tpr F Crathorne, QSA, T.Hts., RoL., Trans., & KSA. I must look up my notes but I think he died during WW1 whilst serving with the RE tunnellers.
590 Tpr L Ross, QSA, DoL., Trans., L.Nek., SA01.
151 Tpr F Stevens, QSA, T.Hts., RoL.,Trans., L Nek.

Definately one of the more 'collectable' units of the Boer War and I am on the lookout for QSA's to the N.C's with different clasp combinations.

All the best,

Jim

I still don't have any!

Sadly no names in these images from the ILN 4 Nov 1899;


A troop


B troop. Maxim gun detachment at kit inspection


Trooper in heavy marching order


No 1 line of A and B troop after a kit inspection. A troop broken up. B troop standing to the order 'Examine arms'.