TOPIC:

From the next City Coins auction, November 2020

CGHGSM (1) Bechuanaland (Tpr. M.J. Pritchard. Dmnd. Fds. Hse.);
QSA (2) DoK, Paard (176 Cpl. M.J. Pritchard. Kimberley Lt. Horse);
1914-15 Star (Spr. M.J. Pritchard S.A.E.C.);
Kimberley Star 1899-1900, hallmark letter ‘b’, complete with upper brooch-bar;
Together with 2 regimental prize medals, comprising an ornate cross shaped medal in silver, hallmarks for Birmingham 1893, the reverse inscribed “Challenge Sld. 97 Trpr. M.J. Pritchard F Troop” and the second a Griqualand West Brigade 1896, silver cross pate, hallmarks for Birmingham 1896 and inscribed “Challenge Sld. 96 Trpl. M.J. Pritchard F Troop”

It is not known in which unit Pritchard served prior to 1896, when the volunteer units in Griqualand West were formed into the Griqualand West Brigade. However, in the Bechuanaland campaign he served in the Diamond Fields Horse, while his Boer War service was with the Kimberley Town Guard and the Kimberley Light Horse (slightly wounded at Carter’s Ridge). While serving in the latter unit he was one of the men accompanying the convoy of wagons loaded with bread that set out from Kimberley to Paardeberg, following an urgent request from Kitchener to Kekewich. This led to him being one of the 155 recipients of the elusive DoK/Paard clasp combination.

From December 1914 to August 1915 he served as Sapper in the SA Engineer Corps and was awarded a 1914-15 Star in January 1921. He never claimed the War Medal and Bilingual Allied Victory Medal.

From the next City Coins auction, November 2020

At daylight on 16 May Mahon’s north-bound Relief Column made contact with Plumer’s south-bound Relief Column at Jan Masibi’s on the Molopo River, some 18 miles east of Mafeking, At 7:30 am the combined force, numbering some 2000 troops with 14 field-guns, set out on the last lap to relieve Mafeking. Shortly before 2 pm the Boers made a last attempt at Israel’s Farm to block the relieving force, but the demoralized burghers retired early despite Generals De la Rey and Liebenberg’s utmost efforts. The Boer losses: 1 killed and 8 wounded with British losses 32 wounded and 7 killed.

QSA (3) RoM, DoK, OFS (890 Pte. P.C. De Sconde. Kimberley V.R.)

Philip Caspar De Sconde, a Farrier from Kimberley, served in “H” Company of the Kimberley Town Guard. He joined the Kimberley Volunteer Regiment and was killed in the Israel’s Farm skirmish. His QSA was returned in January 1909 but reissued to his widow, Cathren De Sconde, in November 1913.

From today's City Coins auction, 27 November 2020

QSA (4) DoK, RoM, OFS, Tvl (Pte. R.F. Gainsford. Kimberley Town Gd.)

Private Gainsford was issued with a QSA, single clasp DoK, off the KTG Roll. He subsequently served with the Kimberley Light Horse, earning the RoM & OFS clasps. On the KLH roll the medal & DoK clasp issued from the KTG is mentioned.

He then served with the Special Cape Police Contingent and was severely wounded at De Klipdrift. The relevant QSA roll credits him with CC and Tvl clasps but having a DoK clasp already issued cancelled the CC clasp. He received a clutch of 3 clasps, RoM/OFS/Tvl, which was fixed to the DoK clasp with unofficial rivets.

A search through Cape Police rolls did not yield any mention of entitlement to either date clasps or a KSA.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (1) Defence of Kimberley (194 Gnr: A. Knight. Diamond F. A.);
Kimberley Star, 'a'

Together with interesting souvenir brooch, the suspension engraved 'Kimberley Siege 1899-1900', the pendant being heart-shaped and engraved 'Boer Shell'.

This is my great-grandfather's medal, and I was fortunate enough to find it and obtain it last year. It will now stay in the family.

mrstmls,

It is great when that happens. There are many people wishing to do the same as you and re-acquire family medals so it pleasing to hear stories of success.

Can I ask the name of your ggf please?