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Dear Jim

An excellent source regarding the Bushveldt Carbineers is `Breaker Morant and the Bushveld Carbineers' by A Davey, van Ribeeck Society, 1997. Unfortunately, the copy I sometimes have access to is in storage, but perhaps you can find a copy somewhere.

Having read various books on the subject, the book by Davey really seems to be one of the best and I would recommend it to you as a source regarding that unit.

Best regards
Peter

Hi Peter,

I am almost sure I have a copy of the book, and yes, mine is stored away also.
I have had a look at Davis’ service and he seems to be short of qualifying for the KSA. But then there may be a reason for the discrepancy, FID service may be.
His service that has been conformed-
Rimington’ s /Damant’s - 17/10/1899 to 21/05/1901.
PLH - 17/02/1902 - 7/07/1902
There is a note on the PLH nom roll ‘ perv serv Rim Gds - FID 21/12/1901 - 31/01/1902. Counts’.
A mystery so far.

Cheers,
Jim

Thanks for the reply IL. I agree with the thought about being ‘attached’, there must be some reasonable answer especially in regards to the KSA. I was looking thru a roll the other day and it was noted’ served 17 months and 26 days. No medal I would assume from that. Another will have a gap of 4 months and received the medal. By gap I mean that there isn’t a reference to how he filled in his time during the period in question. I have nothing further to add to the Davis story, still no answer for the ‘gap’ in service.
Jim

QSA & KSA to R.F.Q.M.Sjt W.A. Easton Damant’s Horse
I purchased the medals a few years ago and have finally had another attempt at sorting out his service in the different units.
David’s excellent publication on the Defence of Kimberley assisted in the search.
I will stand corrected but I think this is correct.

30 Tpr Rimington’s Guides,
no details on roll, any notes are relevant to second period of service

548 Pte Kimberley Vol Regt
3/10/99 to 1/07/00
DoK, OFS.

Imperial Yeomanry Scouts
23/07/00 to 6/11/00
CC, OFS, Trans.

22289 C in C’s Bodyguard
10/11/00 to 9/5/01
CC, OFS, Trans.

Cullinan’s Hse
No details found

34901 RFQMSjt Damant’s Hse
25/8/01 to 30/6/02 re enlist
OFS, Trans, 01,02.
KSA 01,02.

The QSA has the DoK, OFS’ Trans clasps and the KSA 01 & 02 as expected.

The ‘grey’ area is the Cullinan’s Hse service, nothing found on the Nom Roll or the medal roll, but it is mentioned in the other rolls relating to Easton’s service.
It would be interesting to know what clasps Easton earned during his first stint with Damant’s Hse.

He must have loved his QSA as it is well worn.
Cheers,
Jim

Jim
The Smith booklet on the IY Scouts shows n/n Tpr. William Albert Easton's service with the IY Scouts as being from 27/7/00 to 6/11/00, clasps you know about, PoW Eland's River 5/8/00 (released). Service with Cull H, CICBG and DH. His address given for service in IYS was Kimberley, SA.
There is a bit of a glitch with Smith's record as the Palmer roll shows his name as "EATON" (no "S") - but the initials are "W.A." so likely a transcription error.
The Palmer roll also shows "Farr.Sgt.Major W. Easton" of Damant's Horse as being accidentally severely wounded at Klerksdorp on 24/5/02.
Regards
IL.

Thanks IL