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Hello from Canada; thank you for letting me join the website.

For 20 years I have been researching my GGrandfathers Service records. I've been focused on WW1 and WW2 participation because frankly not much was known of his Boer War experience.

Recently I found a broken QSA medal from his service but no ribbons or bars. Surprisingly, the medal was edge-engraved that he was in the RAMC. The verbal history of the family always believed he was in Royal Engineers. I don't believe he joined the RE until after Boer War return. Yet, aside from the broken medal, I have no other information to support his service.

The QSA states: "17344 Pte A. Kilpatrick R.A.M.C. Vols"

Any assistance to clear up this mystery is appreciated.



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Hello Missymicrousa

Welcome to the forum.
For your records.

It looks like your Great Grandfather did serve with the RAMC whilst being a Sapper in the Royal Engineers.


It looks like his QSA was forfeited after he was discharged.

This is maybe why he had to forfeit his medal and entitlement.
This information is taken from your Great Grandfathers medal roll remarks column.
Either way, he certainly served in South Africa probably as a Royal Engineer and somewhere along the way he decided to try out the Medical Corps as a Volunteer. More research required for sure. Good luck.

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Thank you Dave. I was aware of the forfeiture BUT wasn't able to read the reason why. I'm unsure how--if forfeited--I have come to possess this medal. I also know it was replaced as I have seen the request to do so. Thus I have the original and another family member I suspect has the replacement. Further, I have his original "Soldiers Small Book" (att). This led me to believe that he joined the RE in Dec 1902 after returning from War. He also has the KSA which I don't have access to for medal edge engraving verification. Is that on the medal rolls anywhere? If the QSA states RAMC, how can we know he was a sapper with RE?



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It looks like he attested for the RAMC in March 1902
And then the Royal Engineers in December 1902.
So his time in South Africa was probably with the Volunteer RAMC.
The Royal Engineers reference on the rolls added to my confusion. Apologies for that. Initially I thought he may have been a naughty boy and deserted to join the Medical volunteers and the reason for his forfeit of the medal. He certainly had some disciplinary action against him. Just got to find out what it was.