TOPIC: QSAs with clasp Defence of Kimberley

Hello David,

Thank you for your thoughts. I suppose it is possible that the ROM could be an error although the other entries on the same roll for those entitled to DOK and ROM appear correct. Kaplan, perhaps not surprisingly, has him on his ROM roll but only showing entitlement to ROM and OFS, so drawn from the KLH medal roll. I prefer to think he earned his ROM, as the brief period of his service with the Light Horse would fit with him having volunteered for the southern relief column but that could just be wishful thinking! Why he called himself Lewis is a mystery.

Paul,

As you say, he was certainly serving within the entitlement window for the RoM clasp and this is clearly indicated on the KLH roll. The interpretation of the rolls could be that he earned DoK from the KVR and then went on to earn RoM and OFS with the KLH. If that was the case, it could be expected that the RoM clasp would have been added at the same time as the OFS and be on the medal so its omission is unexpected. There would be no reason to remove it and, if there are no signs of removal, it would suggest it was never added to the medal. In cases like these, I do not know if the authorities would have sent him the RoM and OFS clasp joined together as a block as they did with other units. The problem would be that the DoK would need to be fitted between RoM and OFS to be in the correct order so perhaps the clasps were sent separately? Do the rivet between DoK and OFS look to be original?

I think I am changing my view and hedging more to a 60/40 belief that he should have QSA (3) RoM DoK OFS and that the RoM is missing for some reason. If the QSA had presented with 3 clasps I am sure we would not have questioned it.

With kind regards
David

David,

The OFS is loose on the ribbon so I am guessing that the ROM and OFS were sent unjoined for the reason you suggest and neither were ever attached to the medal. It doesn't really matter to me but an interesting group. My interest is in the named Kimberley stars. Perhaps we should have a new thread for these. I have 25+ of these now, about half with the matching QSAs. There is definitely a pattern to the naming styles and presumably only a small number of Kimberley jewellers doing the engraving.

Paul

Paul,

I did not realise the OFS was loose on the ribbon so this only strengthens the case to add the RoM clasp.

A thread on named Kimberley Stars is a great idea. I will create one tomorrow unless you beat me to it!

dunnboer wrote: Hello David,

Thank you for your thoughts. I suppose it is possible that the ROM could be an error although the other entries on the same roll for those entitled to DOK and ROM appear correct. Kaplan, perhaps not surprisingly, has him on his ROM roll but only showing entitlement to ROM and OFS, so drawn from the KLH medal roll. I prefer to think he earned his ROM, as the brief period of his service with the Light Horse would fit with him having volunteered for the southern relief column but that could just be wishful thinking! Why he called himself Lewis is a mystery.

I am coming to the conclusion that "Lewis" Radcliffe was an entirely different man and has been confused on the nominal roll with J Radcliffe. Steve Watt records an LB Radcliffe of the KLH as having died in Kimberley on 2/09/00 and buried in Kimberley West End Cemetery. Sadly no regimental number given and not in the casualty roll for September 1900. I think he is also recorded on the Hull Boer War memorial as F.L.B. Radcliffe Private, Kimberley Light Horse, Died of Disease. The Anglo-Boer War Records database on ancestry has him as "F. Lewis Bradley" Radcliffe, died on the 2/09/1900. I cannot find a L Radcliffe or a FLB Radcliffe on the medal rolls so he possibly had no entitlement.

Paul

From the next OJW auction.

QSA (5) Defence of Kimberley, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 01, South Africa 02 (492 Pte.W SAUNDERS Kimberley Regiment
Kimberley Star Halmarked

My roll does not include SA02.

Served 11 Oct 99 to 14 Mar 00. Discharged from KRV to railway service 31 Dec 00.

There are 2 W Saunders on the roll. One of them attended the 50th Anniversary reunion.


Picture courtesy of OJW