TOPIC:

I'm not seeing the CB awarded anywhere (eg LG).

Even in 1919, there is no post nominals.



Did he receive the CB?

This is an interesting group that I acquired many years ago during my Rimington’s Guides/Damant’s Horse period. This chap managed to be in the same place twice earning himself both the Defence and Relief of Kimberley.
I have come to think that one of his many occupations must have been that of “post man” allowing him to return with Rimington’s Guides.




QSA (6 bar). 14/15 TRIO. KIMBERLEY STAR.
AWARDED TO:
T.C. BLUNDELL KIMBERLEY TOWN GUARD & DAMANT’S HORSE.

The first time I came across the name T. C. Blundell was in the book “Men who made Rhodesia” page 452, it states: T. C. Blundell attested 22/1/1891 he never joined H.Q. and had no number given. He was employed on special service, Gazaland 6/2/1891 – May 1891 and it is therefore obvious he was one of those specially enlisted for a Gun Running exploit, to deliver 1,000 rifles, 20,000 rounds of ammunition and £500 to Chief Gungunhana up the Limpopo River.

The well known Dr. Jameson and two colleagues were also visiting the chief, and arrived at the same time as Blundell and the arm’s delivery. Dr. Jameson and his party travelled back with Blundell in the “Countess of Carnarvon” which had been used by Blundell for the delivery. On the way back they were intercepted by the Portuguese but had no cargo to declare. Blundell then seems to disappear.

Pte. Blundell next turns up in the Kimberley Town Guard where he earns his Def. of Kimberley and Kimberley Star.

He then joins Damant’s Horse, (Rimington’s Guide’s). Where he earns 6 bars, one of which is Relief of Kimberley, but having already got Defence of Kimberley with the Town Guard, he is only entitled to wear his Defence bar. The other five bars are: Paardeberg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen, Driefontein, and Johannesburg. T. C. Blundell then disappears AGAIN in 1900. I can find no trace of him.

He then re surfaces in 1914 having joined the D.E.O. Rifles, but is discharged due to age.

Following this he joins the South African Native Labour Corps. Which was raised among the Bantu for service in France, the Officers and NCOs all being carefully selected white men. T. C. Blundell now holds the rank of Sgt. Cook. On his discharge his highest rank held is noted as Linguist. This Contingent rendered good service but did not receive any medals. Medals to the S.A.N.L.C. are extremely rare as only Officers and NCOs received them.

Wombat.
(James).

Hello James,
What a very strange QSA, Thomas Craven Blundell's medal was issued from WO100/244 page 8 on the 16th of May 1903, with the Relief Of Kimberley clasp and the five other clasps, yet his service in the Kimberley Town Guard is noted, both on that roll and the Kimberley Town Guards roll, infact, this latter, also notes his additional service, the dates for the Defence clasp were the 15th October 1899 to the 15th February 1900.
Clearly the medal was not issued to him with seven clasps, WO127 appears to show service with Rimmington's Guides from ? February 1900 to the 9th of August 1900.
I think that the Relief clasp was issued in error and he should have recieved a Defence, to prove it though, you would need to look at WO126 to check the exact date he joined Rimmington's Guides, if the paper has survived.
Kind regards Frank

Thank you Frank, this medal group has always intrigued me.
On his War & Vic (SANLC) one of his ranks is given as Linguist. So for many years I thought this skill would enable Blundell to pass through the Boer lines as one of their own, making him a good choice as a messenger, (Dispatches).
Before I left England, I took this medal to a few medal meetings, and it was always discussed with fervour.
There was never any decision settled upon. Like yourself there was lots of opinions, but we never managed to prove anything.
I like to look at it from the more romantic side, thinking he could have taken messages out of Kimberley and then led the relief column back.
He disappeared in 1900 and I have somewhere in his paperwork the information that he got married in 1900, so I also wonder if he married a Boer Lass?
I have had this group over 25 years and I still get so much enjoyment out of the speculation this group brings.
Wombat,
James.

Hello James,
I don't really have an opinion on this, I prefer to just go with the facts, that are there for us all to see in black and white, so it really all comes down to the exact date he joined Rimmington's Guides, if it was after the dates for the Defence, then it would have just been an error, notwithstanding, AO94 makes it very clear that Blundell should not have had both a Defence and a Relief anyway.
Again, kind regards Frank

Wombat wrote: Thank you Frank, this medal group has always intrigued me.
On his War & Vic (SANLC) one of his ranks is given as Linguist. So for many years I thought this skill would enable Blundell to pass through the Boer lines as one of their own, making him a good choice as a messenger, (Dispatches).
Before I left England, I took this medal to a few medal meetings, and it was always discussed with fervour.
There was never any decision settled upon. Like yourself there was lots of opinions, but we never managed to prove anything.
I like to look at it from the more romantic side, thinking he could have taken messages out of Kimberley and then led the relief column back.
He disappeared in 1900 and I have somewhere in his paperwork the information that he got married in 1900, so I also wonder if he married a Boer Lass?
I have had this group over 25 years and I still get so much enjoyment out of the speculation this group brings.
Wombat,
James.

Hello Frank,
What you say is perfectly true, and I appreciate the information you have provided.
All information, comments or opinions are always welcome, there is nothing like a good discussion about medals.

Wombat,
James.