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I am researching a QSA for a friend and I require some advise please.
The medal in question is to 3544 Pte.J.Cunningham Devonshire Regt.
Pte Cunningham is shown as died at Ladysmith 2nd March 1900
The clasps on the medal are DoL and Elandslaagte but what is confusing the medal also has the two date clasps SA1901 & SA1902
I have checked the medal rolls and they cornfirm the Dol and Elandslaagte.
I am right in thinking that to qualify for the date clasps the qualifying dates were between 1st Jan 1901 and 31st Dec 1901 and between 1st Jan 1902 and 31st May 1902
Is it just a case of the previous owners may has added the date clasps?
The rivets seem official the clasps are not slipped on.
My question is does this devalue the medal and should they be removed or is it just part of the medals history.

Thanks in advance for any comments
Paul

Hello Paul,
If the rivets are official ones it would not have been the previous owner that added them and if the medal had actually been prepared and issued like that, I would be very tempted to just leave it, as a interesting conversation piece!
The recipient is clearly not entitled to the latter clasps and if the rivets are unofficial then I would perhaps have them removed.
If, however, his next of kin, had added them, all those years ago, moreover, you had proof of that, then again, I'd just leave it.
That combination does not look quite right either somehow! the correct two bar combination tends to indentify a casualty.
Regards Frank

Hello Frank,
Thank you for your comments and advice.
I saw the medal yesterday but not to study, at the time I was unaware he was a casualty.
I checked the clasps and rivets briefly without a glass and they seemed ok, must admit I thought it a strange combination.
It would be good to know the medals history!

Paul

Hello Paul.....

I just checked Davids book and he is listed with only the two bars.....
And of course being deseased.....

Mike

Hello Mike,
Thanks for the look up

Paul

QSAMIKE wrote: Hello Paul.....

I just checked Davids book and he is listed with only the two bars.....
And of course being deseased.....

Mike

Gentlemen,
The medal in question.
Sadly not mine
Your views on the date clasps, not entitled but look official?



Paul