TOPIC:

My great grandfather, John Charles Bowes served in the Cape Garrison Artillery (1894 to 1904). I found QSA and KSA ribbons amongst his things, but without the relevant medals. My question is: were ribbons ever awarded without medals and if so, how would I describe these awards? He appears on this website, it mentions: 'Bowes J, Source: QSA and KSA Rolls'

Kind regards
Ian Bowes

Hello Ian

I've chjecked the medal rolls for your ggfathers medals and he was no. 62 Trumpeter J Bowes (no mention of the Charles which is not uncommon)

His QSA medal was with the Cape Colony clasp only which meant that he never ventured out of the Province during the war. His KSA was with the standard South Africa 1901&1902 clasps denoting the fact tha he served for at least 18 months of the war.

There is a comment that he Resigned.

As far as I am aware, unlike WWII where the ribbons were issued before the medals this was not th case in the Boer War. If you can't find the medals my suspicion would be that they have been lost, stolen or sold.

Regards

Rory

Hello Ian,
The ribbons alone were used on the uniform and worn as small "bars" if you like, a quick look at their roll shows him as number 62 Trumpeter J Bowes with a QSA and Cape Colony clasp on WO100/240 page 6 and a KSA and both clasps on WO100/359 page 5.
Welcome to this forum, regards Frank

Ian Bowes wrote: My great grandfather, John Charles Bowes served in the Cape Garrison Artillery (1894 to 1904). I found QSA and KSA ribbons amongst his things, but without the relevant medals. My question is: were ribbons ever awarded without medals and if so, how would I describe these awards? He appears on this website, it mentions: 'Bowes J, Source: QSA and KSA Rolls'

Kind regards
Ian Bowes

Hi Rory

Thanks very much.

Indeed, he was trumpeter No.62. I have 2 discharge certificates (Colonial Forces Form No. 185a), the first recoding his service from 4 Aug 1894 to 4 Jun 1903 and the second from 28 Jul 1903 to 11 Jun 1904.

Regards
Ian

Hi Frank

Thanks for the warm welcome & info.

How would I find the following info: "QSA and Cape Colony clasp on WO100/240 page 6 and a KSA and both clasps on WO100/359 page 5"?

Regards
Ian

Just the file name given for the actual medal rolls that are at The National Archives Kew and available on line.

Ian Bowes wrote: Hi Frank

Thanks for the warm welcome & info.

How would I find the following info: "QSA and Cape Colony clasp on WO100/240 page 6 and a KSA and both clasps on WO100/359 page 5"?

Regards
Ian

WO100/240





WO100/359