TOPIC:

From Tpr., Cape Police to Lt., ASC.

Forum members
I have not so far contributed to this particular topic and herewith is my offering -
(1) CoGH GSM bar "Bechuanaland" engraved to "237 Pte.U.B. HODGSON C.Pol"
(2) QSA bars OFS/Defence of Mafeking/Tvaal to "Lieut. N.B. HODGSON A.S.C."
(3) KSA bars SA01 and SA02 named as in (2); QSA and KSA engraved naming
Please note the fore-initial on the CoGH; regarded as a naming error as no other HODGSON is noted on the roll in any of the CP divisions.



The eldest son of N.L.HODGSON of Woolwich and Blackheath, Nevil Bursey HODGSON enlisted in the Cape Police as a Trooper (disclosing previous service in the 1st City of London RB) and was awarded the CoCH GSM as shown above for active service between 24121896 and 30071897.
He served in Mafeking during the siege (13101899-17051900)- being noted in the Mafeking Mail as winning a number of morale boosting matches and events; acting as "bank lookout" (warning of incoming shells) and notifying those in charge that the warning bells did not always work as the enemy moved their guns or else pretended to fire them. After the death of Capt. Girdwood on 13021900, Tpr HODGSON was appointed as acting S/Major, ASC at 21 shillings per day to help with food distribution. On 18051900, acting S/M HODGSON was MiD's by Major General Baden-Powell as follows - "Tpr (local Sergeant Major) HODGSON acted as S/Major to ASC and was of the greatest help to Capt.Ryan". BP noted elsewhere that HODGSON "proved himself to be a most thoroughly reliable, sober and upright man, clever at his work and particularly active and zealous in it's performance". Just the sort of chap to have in a siege!

On the recommendation of the CinC, SA, Nevil HODGSON was gazetted 2nd Lt., in the ASC on 15091900 and promoted Lt. on 01111901. His QSA clasps "OFS" and Tvaal" were earned during service with the ASC. Sad to say that Lt. HODGSON died of enteric fever at Pretoria on 27051902.

Colin Walker (compiler of the highly useful Mafeking Siege Register) kindly supplied me with a restored pic of the Cape Police football team (nd); in which Nevil HODGSON is identified and I have done what I could to put a face to the man who never wore his ABW medals.

The pair to Private J. W. Kutcher, Cape Police


Picture courtesy of DNW

CGHGSM (1) Bech (232 Pte.,C. Pol.)
QSA (3) CC OFS SA01 (232 Pte., Cape Police Dis. I)

DNW May 2015, est £180-220

Adrian,

Are there many with Rhod & RoM to the Cape Police?

119. – QSA 3 bars: Rhod, RoM, Tvl (982 Pte G. Taylor Cape Police)
KSA 2 bars: SA’01, SA’02 982 (Pte G. Taylor C.P.Dist 2)

First served in E Squadron Rhodesia Regt for three bars on QSA; then Special Cape Police Contingent (CC bar but not issued). Finally Cape Police District 2.
Sold with three copy Rolls.

VF 5.200 – 6.600

Hi David, is the G.Taylor Group for sale?

Regards
Ian

Hello David,

From what I can see there are only two other chaps entitled to both the ROM and Rhodesia clasps.

They are:

CP Dist 1: 2320 Pte C.P Rich who also served in the BSA Police

CP Dist 2: Captain Archer Sydney Legg who also served in the BSA Police

Regards
Adrian

Adrian,

Very interesting. Many thanks for that information.

Best wishes
David