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John Thomas Pick - Crimean War and Anglo-Boer War - died 9.6.1912 4 years 10 months ago #63759

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One the QSA rolls is Pte W J Lane of the Army Ordnance Corps with clasp DoL and KSA (2). An unusual combination meaning he must have spent all his time in Natal and could not have been in OFS. 'After Pretoria' says Lane was in Dielfontein, OFS. The entitlement to the OFS clasp was 28 Feb 1900 - 31 May 1902.
Dr David Biggins

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John Thomas Pick - Crimean War and Anglo-Boer War - died 9.6.1912 3 years 2 weeks ago #75264

  • BereniceUK
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I've found some more on Pick, with additional information on his military career.
_____________

A WAR HORSE.

NOTTINGHAM MAN'S NOTABLE CAREER.

BRIDGED THE CRIMEAN AND BOER CAMPAIGNS.
....It is a far cry from the Crimea to the last Boer war, but it has been established beyond doubt that a Nottingham man, in the person of John Pick, fought for his country in both these historic campaigns, to say nothing of the Indian Mutiny and smaller wars in between.
....Indeed, Pick has a war record which is unique, and there are other circumstances which render his career remarkable. To the Nottingham Crimean and Indian Mutiny Veterans' Association is due the credit of bringing the man's extraordinary case to light and securing for him some comfort in his declining years.
....Pick was born at the Black's Head,in Narrow-marsh, and he enlisted in the 11th Hussars. With this regiment he fought in the Crimea, and received the medal with clasp for Sebastopol, in addition to the Turkish medal. On returning to England the war fever remained, and volunteering for service with the 2nd Queen's Bays, proceeded to India, and gained the mutiny medal with clasp for Lucknow.
....Subsequently he transferred to the 21st Hussars, now the 21st Lancers, and owing to some dispute with an officer, took "French" leave. Fearing arrest for desertion he worked his way to South Africa, and formed one of the party accompanying Mitchell and Sullivan in the early days of prospecting for gold and diamonds.
....When trouble arose with the Basutos, he volunteered for service, and was awarded the medal, after which he proceeded to New Zealand to see some relatives. On returning to South Africa, he again stood by his country by fighting against the Zulus, receiving the medal, with clasp for Ulundi.
....Now, for the remarkable climax to his military career. At the age of 63 he responded to the call to arms on the outbreak of the Boer war, and was accepted in the Jamestown Volunteers. Afterwards he joined the ranks of the Midland Mounted Infantry. Thus, by his valour, he earned during his fighting career no fewer than six decorations.
....Nine months ago he sustained an accident whilst following his occupation, and claimed the right of a free pass to England, which the Government granted him, and after an absence of over half a century, saw his native place once again.
....Naturally his first desire was to find any relatives who might exist, and in this he was successful, although it was hard to believe that this figure was the same who had set out for the Crimea in the 50's. Being in need of assistance, and justly entitled to some recognition from the State, he was brought before the Mayor, who in turn placed him in communication with the Veterans' Association.
....Correspondence extending over two months passed with the War Office, with results that are eminently satisfactory. The Army Council was satisfied as to the man's bona fides, but there remained the difficulty of Pick having deserted from the 21st Hussars.
....Eventually this was got over by the granting by Major-General G. F. Browne, the Director of Personal Services, of a protecting certificate. This document is, on the face of it, somewhat quaint, for it lays down that Private John Pick, aged 72, is not claimed for service in his Majesty's army, and is not liable to arrest on suspicion of being a deserter. Would ever a man of the age of 72 be claimed for service in the army?
....But the document served a useful purpose, for it was to all intents and purposes an absolution, and rendered possible an application for a pension. Such an application was duly forwarded, and notification has just been received that Pick has been granted a pension of a shilling a day for life.
....Since he has been enrolled a member of the local veterans' association, Pick is entitled to the uniform, boots will be provided for him by Councillor F. N. Hobson, and Lieut.-Colonel R. L. Birkin, D.S.O., will replace those of his medals which were lost in his wanderings.
Nottingham Evening Post, Saturday 30th October 1909



....John Pick, the Nottingham veteran about whose romantic career as a soldier of fortune so much was written a short time ago, has just succeeded in getting his medal for the South African War. It has bars for three engagements. Pick, it may be recalled, served through the Crimea, the Indian Mutiny, the Basuto War, the Zulu War, and finally the late Boer War.
Nottingham Evening Post, Tuesday 15th March 1910
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John Thomas Pick - Crimean War and Anglo-Boer War - died 9.6.1912 2 years 9 months ago #77094

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I have recently been sent this entry from The War Veterans' Dinner, Empress Rink, Nottingham, Tuesday June 20th, 1911', compiled by H Seely Whitby, Secretary of the Nottingham and Notts Crimean and Indian Mutiny Associations. My thanks to David Colledge for this information.

It restates John Picks claim to the QSA in addition to his other medals and is very nicely presented (as this copy illustrates)

Dr David Biggins
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