TOPIC:

A minute in the India Office Library(68/S.Africa /6007a) has this to say:

"A fortiori any silver general service medal issued to followers who are not menials in future campaigns will bear at least date clasps. Are they to bear battle clasps instead? In view of the Secretary of States’ minute 15 and Commander in Chief's minute 20, I think the decision should be, no" The minute is annotated “No”

(Incidentally the same minute authorizes the dated clasp for the bronze medal)

I read from this that non-combatants will not have battle bars but will have dated bars similar to the South African 1877-79 series. So clasps "South Africa 1899" might well have been envisaged by this note.






and rolls are made up or the "South Africa 1902" clasp






Now. Am I reading too much into the situation in this case where the "South Africa 1902" clasp is wrongly positioned?







Was the "South Africa 1902" clasp fitted in accordance with 68/S.Africa /6007a and then this was rescinded and the two state bars added?

The IGS awarded to this man, 479 L/Dafdr Sardar Singh 3rd Bengal Cavalry, was sold in the rooms of Messrs Dix, Noonan & Webb in 1998

(“The South African war began shortly after the conclusion of the Tirah Campaign, but unfortunately
afforded the Regiment no opportunities for active service.” One party of 9 Farriers and Duffadars ( &
8 followers) served in South Africa for the duration of the war. A second “ party of sixteen men,
however, was sent out in 1902 under Risaldar Hanwant Singh for duty with Remounts.”
( The History of Skinner's Horse. Major A.M.Daniels p 134) and a further twenty four men were also
sent out in 1902.)

Some photos from The Sphere 1900

Justin

Advertised in the next DNW sale;

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp, bronze issue (303 Bhisti Chugatta, S. & T. Corps) some corrections to naming, edge bruising, very fine £90-120.

303 Bhisti Chugatta, S. & T. Corps is on the roll "Bhisti Corps, Mian Mir District, Punjab Command," with an entitlement to a "Cape Colony" clasp if authorized.

My write up on the Bhisti Corps is here:

www.angloboerwar.com/forum/5-medals-and-...-contingent?start=54

Advertised in the next Spink sale:

QSA (0) bronze issue (Lascar Imani, India Ord: Dept.), traces of verdigris around suspension claw, nearly very fine. Est £80-120

Note: A Lascar is a labourer, porter, or tent pitcher.


Picture courtesy of Spink

[/u][/b]



Queen's South Africa Medal bronze issue Lascar Mitto, India Ord: Dept.


The transports Henzada with No.3 field medical stores depot, No.11 British field hospital, and Ordnance field park...... left Calcutta, 20th September (1899) and arrive on October 14th 1899 at Durban.
The Indian Ordnance Department consisted of 4 officers, 15 men, 3 horses and 119 attendants and had a weight of 250 tons. It was the only Indian unit to participate as a whole during the war.
The Indian Ordnance Field Park that was established outside Pietermaritzburg, played a critical role in the relief effort. The offloading of munitions arriving by train from Durban and the expeditious dispatch of orders for the Front Line were expertly and efficiently undertaken by Indian Officers and their staff. Another Indian stores camp was located outside of Ladysmith at Convent Hill. This camp came under Boer fire on occasions and several Indians were killed and injured. The siege lasted 119 days and ended in relief on 1st March 1900. The role of the Indian Ordnance Field Park during that siege was particularly noteworthy.
After the siege the Indian Ordnance Field Park returned to India. All members entitled to Defense of Ladysmith bar to the medal if issued
Medals to the Indian Ordnance Department are impressed named.




Sources
The Indian Contingent to South Africa WO108/404