TOPIC:

BRANDON, Gustave Erasmus Trigaard

Queens South Africa Medal: Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902
155 Trooper G. Brandon, Harrismith Volunteer Light Horse









Natal 1906 – Bar 1906
Trooper G. E. Brandon, Natal Police





South African Police Faithful Service Medal
110554 (F) Detective Haed (sic) Constable G.E Brandon








No Service Records available for Trooper Brandon’s service in Harrismith Volunteer Light Horse.

Attested in the police 15 July 1902, Trooper, Natal Police, Zulu Rebellion 1906.

Joined SAP in 1913 on its formation. Detective Head-Constable, South African Police (No554). Awarded the South African Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

Immigration officer at Pietermaritzburg.

Retired to pension 29 July 1930.

Died 1937.

The Harrismith Volunteer Light Horse was established in January 1901 and was placed under the command of Captain H. Hawkins. It comprised some 100 members, most of whom were English-speaking inhabitants of the town of Harrismith. The unit performed duties in the town and also supplied guides and scouts for Imperial troops in the area. It was noted that while the unit was away from home most of the shops in the town remained closed owing to the fact that many of the shop assistants belonged it.

The only incident worthy of note in which the Harrismith Volunteer Light Horse (H.V.L.H.) was involved occurred on 28 July 1901. A report was received that some 80 Boers, under Commandant F Jacobsz, had occupied hilly country on the farm Saaihoek in the district of Witzieshoek. Some 600 Yeomanry and the H.V.L.H., sent out from Harrismith, came across 40 Boers all of whom, while evading possible capture, occupied some of the surrounding hills. Jacobsz and the remaining Boers then arrived on the scene. While the H.V.L.H. began to retire, a group of Yeomanry was ambushed on a ridge. In this action 3 were killed and 5 wounded while 32 were captured. On the Boer side there was only one casualty, Jacobsz, who was severely wounded. The Boers allowed the British to take their dead and wounded back to Harrismith. The remainder were held captive until escorted to Basutoland. From there they trudged back to Harrismith, arriving a week later.

Apart from this incident nothing of significance took place in the vicinity of Harrismith. Only once did the Boers come to the town when they drove off 32 head of cattle. During the course of the war, no members of the unit were killed, wounded or captured.

I understand that Henk has written an article on the Harrismith Volunteer Light Horse and I hope that he will post it here.

Mike

Hello Mike,
That is a super group, I have always liked the HVLH, I buy them from time to time too, from memory there was a very interesting article written back around 1990 on Harrismith that was in the SAMHS journal, rather interestingly, Harlon Hawkins daughter had a superb collection too, including their famous badge!
Not that many Free State QSA's to be found these days, well done!
Kind regards Frank

Thank You Frank.....

One of the few times that I had some funds and just had to buy.....

Getting a number of 1906 so I guess I now have an official sub collection.....

Mike

They are good medals Mike, I like them very much indeed!

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (3) Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (35 Tpr: H. Fraser. Harrismith Vol: L.H.)

Trooper Fraser served with "B" Troop, H.V.L.H.

Attendance Roll for August 1901




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