TOPIC:

Grave of Trooper OW Porch in Philippolis Cemetery.

Hello

I have recently acquired the QSA to Tpr: H. Scott. Nesbitt’s Horse


Although there are two Scotts mentioned in the casualty list and newspaper report, I was prepared to take a chance on this one and try to prove H.Scott was wounded at Philippolis. I created a spread sheet and compared the info from the official casualty list, the list posted in the newspaper, the nominal roll and then the medal roll. I also took definite participants as well, Tpr Blisset (unique name), Lieut Hanna (mentioned in various newspaper reports) and Tpr Porch (killed) and Tpr W.G. Hill whose description of the action appears on this topic. We also know from newspaper reports that detachments of troops came from Norvals Pont and Colesburg.

Common amongst all is that they were either on the

- Colesburg Roll signed 13th June 1902 and noted D Squadron or Norvals Pont Roll signed 4th August 1901
- All have an Orange Free State Clasp indicating an action in that colony

Tpr H Scott is listed on the Colesburg roll, and Tpr J. Scott is on the Norvals Pont Roll, no other Scotts received an OFS clasp.

Attached is the spreadsheet listing the findings, those highlighted are the assumed casualties.





Tpr H. Scott was wounded at Philippolis based on this probability

Tpr Dunn is listed in the official SAFF list, but neither of the two men of this name appear in the newspaper list or are on either of these two rolls and did not qualify for a OFS clasp with Nesnitt's Horse.

I have two of the casualties thus for Nesbitt's Horse (Tpr H. Scott and Corpl. J. Schwartz), but hopefully will be able to find a newspaper report or letter mentioning these men by name in order to definitely say with 100% who the casualties were.

I hope this makes sense and you can read the attached pictures of the spreadsheet as it is quite clear who the casualties were, at least in my opinion.

Jon

Philippolis last November