TOPIC:

In the British Army, prior to 1920, service numbers were given by the particular regiment or corps concerned and not by the war office, when a man took his discharge, the number became available again, or if a man transferred he was simply given another number.
5779 Piper Smith served with the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders and is clearly shown in WO100/203, but, that particular number was in use by a whole host of other men in various regiments throughout the Army during the Anglo Boer War.

Thank you. I was just curious since DNW lists this medal with a service number of 95779 not 5779. I assumed it is incorrect since I have found that 5779 falls in the 1896 time frame for his enlistment.

Alby,

You're right. It is a mistake in the cataloguing.

Here's his entry from WO100/203p400



Kind regards
David

Thank you and I am happy to see that I am learning something!!!

Yes, it was well spotted

Elandslaagte to the ILI??


Picture courtesy of Lockdales

The description says: QSA with clasps Laings Nek/Relief of Ladysmith/Tugela Heights/Elandslaagte (scarce clasp) to 615 Pte W Cowen IMP Lt INFY

That would be unusual.

WO100/252p19 lists Tr TH Rof LN. QSA (4) issued 12 May 1905. Also served JMR 275.

The ILI nominal roll says William Cowin joined 15 Nov 99 and was discharged 16 Nov 00.

The rivets don't look very good, the clasp spacing is wrong and all 4 clasps are copies in my opinion.