TOPIC:

I thought it would be useful to start a thread to hold information on QSAs that contain clasps to which the recipient is not eligible. Whether by accident or more likely design, they add an interesting aspect to collecting (often the emotions of wonder, followed by scepticism, followed by disappointment!).

Here is a current example on sale at Hamilton and Co for £300. 5227 Pte T Brennan earned the CC & OFS clasps and a KSA (2).

His medal has some fabulous clasps, none of them his and the medal includes some copies too.

David

A good idea!

I have posted the group shown below elsewhere on this forum, but it is perhaps worth showing again in this context.

Bertram Robert Brewin resigned his Royal Artillery commission while serving in India and he joined the Natal Police as a Trooper in November 1898, perhaps in anticipation of seeing action in South Africa. After the Siege of Ladysmith was lifted, he left the NP, perhaps expecting their disengagement after the war moved out of Natal. He joined the Royal Garrison Artillery and reclaimed his commission, perhaps hopeful that the RGA would see action, which in fact was not the case. He again resigned his commission and early in 1902 he joined the Cape Police as a Private. This record suggests he yearned for action, something that was again in evidence during World War I.

The clasps to which Brewin was entitled were:
Natal Police - Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith
Royal Garrison Artillery - South Africa 1901
Cape Police - Cape Colony

Brewin subsequently added to his QSA the clasps Laing's Nek, Orange Free State and Transvaal.

I think Brewin may have believed he was entitled to these clasps, so their addition, although unjustified, is not as heinous as, for example, the case of Private Brennan.

Brett

That's a wonderful story to go with a very nice group.

Many thanks
David