TOPIC:

Frank Kelley wrote: I think the price actually paid by Thomas Herriott was very considerably greater, he certainly paid an appalling price for his actions, I really do not think his medal group was expensive.

I quite agree, a civilian VC at the cost of three ABW DCMs - most of which don't come with any kind of citation.

Agreed. I've never seen that combination before either.

Hello Meurig,
It is just a lovely thing, you know, how do you put a price on it, well, I suppose, ultimately, everything has a price, but, to be quite honest, in my own eyes, this sort of thing is beyond value.
All I can say is that it represents a brave act, it must have meant something to it's recipient, I do hope so anyway.
Kind regards again, Frank

SWB wrote:

Frank Kelley wrote: I think the price actually paid by Thomas Herriott was very considerably greater, he certainly paid an appalling price for his actions, I really do not think his medal group was expensive.

I quite agree, a civilian VC at the cost of three ABW DCMs - most of which don't come with any kind of citation.

These beauties arrived in this mornings post purchased via a recent silent auction in Durban.

I wonder how many chaps went from the Boer War to the Somaliland Campaign of 1902 - 1904. Probably quite a few but how many were Civilian Subordinates (Whatever that may mean...)





Regards

Rory[/size]

Nice pair Rory.
These are mine.


Cotter went straight from the South African War to Somaliland. At the completion of the Boer War, remaindered fodder and horses were shipped to Somaliland for the war there. I have a list of civilian conductors of the remount and veterinary types somewhere. Of South African importance is the Somali Burger Corps which was the first South African Expeditionary Force - there is an example on the next DNW auction. How many of those had the QSA or the ABO I do not know but that would be an exciting pairing. From my own perspective the first coloured/black South African expeditionary force was the 15th & 22nd ASC made up of coloured and black drivers of whom many would have served in the Boer War but were not entitled to medallic recognition. From the Official History...
"Two companies Army Service Corps, the 15th and 22nd , commanded by Captain C.E. Watling and E.W.W. Scott saw active service on a small scale in Somaliland. They arrived at Berbera from South Africa on the 31st July, 1903 aboard the Drayton Grange having left Durban on the 16th July. Repair materials for 6 months were taken, along with supplies and forage for 3 months
Their strength was:-
6 officers
2 warrant officers
60 rank and file
11 civilian Conductors
217 natives (Africans)
46 horses
900 mules
80 buck wagons
4 water carts

These companies worked between Berbera and Bihendula or Wagon's Rust to the foot of the Sheikh Pass. Each wagon had 10 mules and carried 4,000 lbs., i.e. 3,000 lbs. Stores to be delivered, and 5 days' forage and rations.
The Natal buck wagon was not suitable for the country, being found too heavy (1½ tons) and not broad enough in the tyre. The carriage of all stores, including water, was by camel, but it is of interest that a steam tractor was used, although it only proved itself unsuitable under those conditions.
The two companies returned to Durban on the 20th June, 1904 aboard the H.F.S. Lalpoora with 200 Cape Boys under the command of nine conductors. The accommodation retained on this ship was insufficient, and the balance of 3 conductors and 42 Cape Boys..... had to be despatched by the SS Meyun next day to Aden for passage in the German East African Liner to Durban.
Army and Navy Gazette "the excellent work that the two units had done and the splendid example to duty which has been set by all ranks during one of the most arduous small wars ever undertaken by British Troops"
I have only just disposed of my AGS medal to this unit this last month.. It was a brief look into medallic recognition for black troops. No medal for one war but one ( & in silver) for the next the following year.

The others are recruited from India, subsequent to service in the Boer War, for service with the Somaliland Expeditionary Force. Veterinary Assistant, Dooley Bearer and 1st Bombay Lancers.

Certainly a rare combination.

Though not a civilian he did have command of many civilians in Somaliland.......

www.angloboerwar.com/forum/5-medals-and-...raph-battalion#16662

Mike