TOPIC:

As some of you may know, I have a thing about Rifle Associon QSAs. So when my friend Adrian phoned to give me the 'heads up' on a QSA/Natal pair that was on the local online auction site, I was very interested. The pair were to R H McAlister, who was in the Melmoth R A during the ABW and the Zululand MR during the Bambata War. The reserve was what I would call 'fully priced' and I already have a Melmoth R A , so while 'interested' , I wasn't obsessed , as I would have been had the QSA been to one of the 2 RAs that I am missing. After a little thought and a little rationalising ( its amazing how easy it is to justify the purchase of medals ) I put in my bid. As it happened , I was the only bidder - so clearly no-one else shares my interest, or maybe it was over-priced.
I now have the medals and they are in good condition and I am looking forward to researching Mr McAlister and maybe finding the other 12 medals to the Melmoth RA.
Mike

So is your "spare" Melmoth QSA on the market now ?

Very good news Mike. Glad that you landed the pair.

Regards
Adrian

Well done Mike. It would be nice if you had this niche to yourself!

Mike,

There are a couple of RA QSAs in the next DNW sale.

Lot 69

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (Tpr. C. E. Comins, Malton Dist. R.A.) edge bruising, good fine £90-120

Lot 70

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (Tpr. A. Stead, Nottingham Road R.A.) good very fine £150-200

Lot 126 has an association. The catalogue description is:

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902 (3), no clasp (Mr E. Toomer; S. Sharratt; W. Osmond) first two with officially re-impressed naming, last fine; second with edge bruise, others good very fine (3) £140-180
Footnote

Mr E. Toomer served as a Civilian Clerk at the Railway Transport Office, Cape Town, 13 February 1901-31 May 1902. With copied roll extract.

Mr S. Sharratt was a member of the Upper Tugela Rifle Association, who took part in an action on the Upper Tugela on 7 September 1901. With copied roll extract.

A note with the medal to ‘Osmond’ reads, ‘Colonial Secy. Dept. (Scout/Lock-up Keeper) Captured 13/9/1900’

Regards
David

Thanks David. Although I have representatives from those RAs, I'll see what I can find out about the individuals. I always like medals to the men who were civilians and turned out to protct their homes and way of life.
Regards
Mike