TOPIC:

Hi David....

The rim looks fairly consistant all the way around??????

Mike

Mike,

What sparked my concerns was the 'smudge' that start after the 3 in the his number and ends before the unit name which is symptomatic of a rename and also the slightly rounded rim. Then there's the surname font.

It would be nice to actually see the medal to confirm.

Regards
David

Several months ago, Jon (crypt) showed a pair of Natal Carbineers QSA's with 'Talana' and 'Elandslaagte' clasps. I was very envious because, although I had a NC 'Talana' clasp QSA in my collection, one with the 'Elandslaagte' clasp had long eluded me.

A few days ago, by being in the right place at the right time, one finally came my way and it is shown below. This QSA fills an important gap in my 1879 - 1945 medallic history of the Natal Carbineers.

Brett




Frank Allerston
Queen’s South Africa Medal (Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek, South Africa 1901)
641 Tpr F Allerston, Natal Carbineers
1914/15 Star
Pte F Allerston, 1st Mounted Rifles (Natal Carbineers)
War & Victory Medals
Cpl F Allerston, 2nd South African Horse
(Allerston served in both German South West Africa and German East Africa.)

Frank Allerston was born in Pietermaritzburg in the Colony of Natal in about 1872. He later carried on his trade as a successful building contractor in this town, and died there in 1949.

In spite of his strong links to Pietermaritzburg, when the Anglo-Boer War started in 1899, he went on active service with the Newcastle Troop of the Natal Carbineers (NC), which suggests he was resident in that town at that time. Together with the Dundee Troop, these two troops represented northern Natal as No. 7 Squadron of the NC. It has otherwise been referred to as J Squadron. The Pietermaritzburg men who served in the NC were in Squadron’s 1 and 2.

It was 14 men of the Newcastle Troop, including Allerston, who found themselves at Elandslaagte on 21 October 1899, the day that the second set-piece battle of the war took place. It is something of a mystery as to how the Newcastle men came to be at Elandslaagte, since the other regiments on the British side were all represented at or near full strength. At that time, one of the NC’s squadrons was based near Estcourt, south of Ladysmith, while the remainder were in Ladysmith itself. Even the Dundee Troop was en route to Ladysmith with a British force, which was retreating from Dundee along a route east of the railway line that passed through Elandslaagte.

The most likely explanation is that the Newcastle Troop was also retreating towards Ladysmith ahead of the advancing Boers by following the railway line that led from Newcastle, through Elandslaagte, to Ladysmith. Events overtook the Troop near Elandslaagte and they attached themselves to a unit that could, and would accommodate them. The men who were likely to welcome them were from the Natal Mounted Rifles (NMR), who with the Natal Field Artillery, represented the Natal Volunteers in the composite force sent from Ladysmith to meet the advancing Boers.

Men of the NMR and, presumably, the Newcastle Troop, played a subsidiary role in the Battle of Elandslaagte and suffered no casualties. Some served as escort to the artillery and armoured train, while the remainder were held in reserve. After the battle, they took part in rescuing the wounded from the battlefield, a task that continued through the night and into the following morning.

Although no great honour accrued to the NC through the award of the Elandslaagte clasp to 14 of its men, it is the rarest of the QSA clasps to this distinguished regiment and the medals are much sought after.

Brett,

I don't think anyone could celebrate their 1,000th post with a better post!

Much sought after indeed. You must teach me how to be in the right place at the right time.

To say I have appreciated and enjoyed your posts is an understatement. I particularly admire the way in which you support other people, their collecting and research.

With best wishes
David

Brett

David put it in a nutshell..........what a way to celebrate your 1000th post!

I know you are extremely excited to have "acquired" this group.

A good excuse to meet at the Stokers and celebrate

Regards
Brian

A lovely group which is now in good hands.

Well done on the acquisition thereof.

Regards

Rory