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Mike Rowan, the local collector with a special interest in Rifle Associations is away, but when he returns I will tell him of this thread and, hopefully, he can give a helpful reply to it.

In the meantime, I can tell you that the Upper Tugela is the farming district centred on the towns of Winterton and Bergville, which lie between Spioenkop and the Drakensberg.

The UTRA perhaps had a better reason to exist than some other RA's, because the Upper Tugela was vulnerable to invasion from the Orange Free State by way of the Oliviershoek Pass. In fact, the area was being patrolled by the Natal Police even before the war started.

The UTRA was called out on at least occasion to deal with some intruding Boers, but Mike will be able to relate what happened in that incident.

Regards
Brett

Good Morning and Thank You Brett.....

I will look forward what Mike has to say, but just from what you have said it sounds interesting......

Mike

Hello Mike,
With just twenty four medal issued and that note at the top of the remarks column on both pages, I would suggest that it is not only a rare medal, but, a very interesting one too!
In September 1901 General Botha invaded Natal, Itala and Fort Prospect was as far south as he managed to get, before heading back north again, but, he did cause alot of trouble during September and October.
Kind regards Frank