TOPIC:

Hi
Thought I would add this medal to the battle of Elandslaagte

Name: 456. Tpr. Harold Sudgen Maplestone
Regt: 1st Imperial Light Horse
Medal: QSA-Elandslaagte / Defence of Ladysmith
Died of Enertic at Chieverley-16 April 1900

Pte.Harold Maplestone attested in Pietermaritzburg on the 28.9.1899 at the age of 22yrs.
Height 5ft 8 1/2 inch and weight of 141 Lbs. Participated at the battle of Elandslaagte and Defence of Ladysmith.

Can anybody assist as to why he would have been at Chieverley?









Thank you to Eggsa for allowing the use of this photograph

Thank you for showing another great medal.

Chieveley was the site of No. 4 Field Hospital, which was set up there on 13 December 1899, shortly before the Battle of Colenso. It was in this hospital that Lord Roberts' son Freddie Roberts VC died of wounds after the battle. His is the most impressive grave in the cemetery that was established near the hospital. Many of the graves no longer have any markers as it has been repeatedly vandalised over the years. This is evident in the photo below.

Regards
Brett

Elandslaagte,

Another nice example of an Elandslaagte QSA.

As to why he might have been at Chieveley, either as Brett suggests that he was poorly or perhaps a troop of the 1st ILH were stationed there?

With thanks
David

This wonderful QSA to Sgt R N Hawthorne, ILH & Driscoll's Scouts is in the next DNW auction.


Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA named to 22 Tpr. Imp. Lt. Horse. KSA named to 37398 Serjt., Driscoll’s Scouts.

He served in the 1st ILH, October 1899 to October 1900; later with Driscoll’s Scouts and with Gorringes Flying Column.

This group to Colonel H F Fraser is to be auctioned by Spink at the end of the month.



Colonel Henry Francis Fraser was born Stratherrick, Inverness-shire, November 1872, the younger brother of Alexander Edmund Fraser; educated at Wellington College, Berkshire; Commissioned Second Lieutenant, 5th Lancers, December 1895; served with the Regiment in India and appointed extra Aide-de-Camp to the Viceroy of India, 1897; promoted Lieutenant, October 1899.

Served in South Africa and took part in the operations in Natal, 1899, including the action at Elandslaagte when the 5th Lancers 'had the satisfaction of knowing that they took part in the one real cavalry charge of the campaign' (British Regiments in South Africa 1899-1902, by John Stirling refers); the actions at Rietfontein, 24 Oct 1899, and Lombard's Kop, 30 Oct 1899; at the Defence of Ladysmith, including the sorties of the 7th and 10th December 1899, and the action of the 6th January 1900; promoted Captain and transferred to the 21st Lancers, 29.5.1901.

Took part in the Aro Expedition, Southern Nigeria, 30.10.1901 - 27.4.1902 (slightly wounded and Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette 12.9.1902); promoted Major, 27.4.1907; appointed Assistant Military Secretary to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command, 4.4.1912; served during the Great War as Aide-de-Camp to the General Officer Commanding, 2nd Army Corps, British Expeditionary Force, from 5.8.1914; Appointed Assistant Provost Marshal, Cavalry Corps, B.E.F., 10.10.1914; Provost Marshal, 3rd Army, B.E.F., 13.7.1915; promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, 6.9.1915; appointed Assistant Adjutant-General, Southern Command, 2.7.1916; Assistant Adjutant-General, War Office, 8.3.1917; promoted Colonel, 6.9.1919; served as Assistant Adjutant-General, General Headquarters, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, from 16.4.1920; retired 1924.

Colonel Fraser died, 26 Apr 1949.

Checking the DNW results, I see that Hawthorne's pair sold for £840 including premium.