TOPIC:

I have these to add to Meurig's 43250 list:
RoM, E, DoL, T Imperial Light Horse 32 Tpr W Wilson
RoM, E, DoL, T Imperial Light Horse 219 Tpr T W Hope

Regards
Brett

The RoM/RoL QSA to the ILH sold at Nobles last week. I got outbid unfortunately.

QUEEN'S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL 1899, (type 3 reverse), - three clasps - Relief of Mafeking, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal. 868 Tpr: R.Despard. Imp: Lt Horse. Impressed. Nicely toned, extremely fine.

Hi

I have a RoM/RoL

746 TPR Hugh St Maur MONTGOMERY, IMP LIGHT HORSE

6 clasps RoM, RoL

Meurig's list of DoL and RoM is known extant medals, as opposed to the possibilities from the roll?

Here is another:
CH Russell, Imperial Light Horse. DCM, BSAP, and QSA with RoM, Elandslaagte, DoL, TVL.

rdarby wrote: Meurig's list of DoL and RoM is known extant medals, as opposed to the possibilities from the roll?

Here is another:
CH Russell, Imperial Light Horse. DCM, BSAP, and QSA with RoM, Elandslaagte, DoL, TVL.

Thanks Ryan, I had Russell as he was a DCM winner, But, I have yet to go through the rolls.

(1) Queens South Africa medal with clasps Relief of Mafeking, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith and Transvaal - impressed to"7265 Pte. W.Newman, 2nd Rl:Fus;"
(2) Kings South Africa medal with clasps South Africa 1901 and 1902 - impressed as above but to "Rl:Fus"


Having obtained this pair some years ago, IL finally got around to having Kevin Asplin conduct a search for papers - unfortunately which drew a blank. Kevin, however, was able to say that, due to Pte. Newman's regimental number, he would probably have enlisted around April 1899 and been posted to South Africa in the Autumn of the same year. Further and subsequent to SA service, Pte. W. Newman is known to have served with his Regiment's 1st Bn. in Burma at the end of 1902. Nothing more could be found or inferred and it is quite possible that Pte. Newman died in service or could have served later under another name.
Nevertheless, given his clasp combination and consulting sources such as Amery, Stirling, Maurice, Hickman and the like, Pte. Newman's active service in South Africa can be sketched out. The doings of the Royal Fusiliers on the Natal front (on the right at Colenso, at Hlangwane mountain and Wynne Hill) are well covered in Amery - and only a relative handful of Imperial infantry received the clasp for Mafeking's relief in addition to those earned on the Tugela and for the Relief of Ladysmith. That veritable handful, a composite Company, drawn from picked volunteers from the veteran 6th Fusilier Brigade, numbered just one hundred and three all ranks. And, according to S.M.Kaplan's published medal roll for the "Relief of Mafeking", just twenty-seven came from the 2nd. Fusiliers.
In April 1900, Lord Roberts (C-in-C at that time) with his sights set on the taking of Pretoria, was also aware that Mafeking was a potent symbol of British endurance and defiance; even if the town's strategic significance had lessened considerably since early 1900. Nevertheless, symbols and public opinion being what they were (and are), once the situation in the Transvaal looked promising, Lord Roberts turned his attention to Mafeking's relief.
For some months previous, a force under Colonel Plumer had been energetically trying to do just that - and his Northern column was facing considerable resistance. Accordingly, Lord Roberts considered that Plumer's column would not be able to effect Mafeking's relief by itself. Accordingly, a flying column under Brig. Gen. Mahon was ordered to be assembled at Kimberley; tasked with approaching Mafeking from the South and combining with Plumer's force to bring matters to a close. The Southern relief column was commanded by a hard driving man with considerable field experience - nevertheless, it was considered a risky enterprise as it would have to traverse some two hundred and fifty miles of arid veldt and would surely be opposed by an alerted enemy.
The approximate fighting strength of Mahon's column was one thousand, four hundred and forty nine all-ranks (plus fifty two mule supply wagons presumably manned by ASC or native drivers). It was comprised of Imperial Light Horse, Kimberley Horse, Queensland Mounted Infantry, Canadian Field Artillery, M Battery RFA, a Pom Pom section, and the company strength Royal Fusiliers. Indeed, a force quite representative of the Empire.
According to Maurice (OH), Mahon's column set out from Barkly West on 4th Man, 1900 its departure having been masked by preparations for General Hunter's forthcoming attack on Rooidam the next day. Mahon wrong footed his would-be opponents from the start. The pursuers seemed unable to credit that the column could move so rapidly - as well as being somewhat mystified by Mahon's switching his route of march. Doubtless, his deliberate use of the services of at least three local guides (Hickman) was a big help. Those interested in the doings of the Southern column are directed to Maj. Pollock's "With Seven Generals in the Boer War". An entertaining read.
By the 7th, Mahon had reached Taungs (84 miles), and on the 13th had fought a spirited action with the Boers at Massibi before entering that place the next day. On the 15th May, Mahon made his junction with Plumer. The Southern Relief Force had covered a remarkable two hundred and fifty miles in twelve days. An epic indeed.

Joint operations then commenced to relieve Mafeking. Commandant Snyman, besieging the town, had been replaced by the more energetic General DeLaRey - who sought to drive a wedge between the columns - and Plumer had a hard fight of it; with the regulars of the company of Fusiliers being detached to assist the Rhodesians at Israel's Farm. There, a Vickers Maxim Pom Pom was proving to be a real menace and the Fusiliers and QMI fixed bayonets and assaulted the farm. The Pom Pom crew quickly decamped; abandoning their ammunition and supply wagon as they left. Mafeking was finally relieved on 17th May, 1900.
Subsequently, in June 1900, the Fusilier Brigade was split up - with the Royal Fusiliers being sent East of Pretoria and took part in many engagements in the Eastern Transvaal. Then came more column work under Mahon and later the Royal Fusiliers were railed to Cape Colony in 1901. As operations appeared to be winding down in May, 1902 the Royal Fusiliers were taken by sea to Port Nolloth to assist in the relief of Ookiep.
In conclusion, given 7265 Pte. Newman's clasp entitlement, it is more than reasonable to assume he took his fair share of the actions on the Tugela, during the Mafeking relief and elsewhere in the disputed areas. A pity we do not know more about Pte. W.Newman - thus we have to let his medals (with their hard-earned clasps) to speak for themselves.
Regards to all who have read this far.