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Queen's South Africa Medal 3 bars Belmont, Modder River, Transvaal. 21134 Gnr. R. Duncanson 18th Batt. R.F.A. Copy Medal & Casualty roll, Discharge Papers - Robert Duncanson born in Redgorton, Stanley, Perthshire, Scotland, joined the Royal Artillery at Dundee 12.7.1897, in the Boer War also served in 2nd Bty. 26.6.1901, 26th Bty. 8.10.1901 transferring to Army Reserve 12.7.1904. Duncanson served in South Africa from 26.9.1899 to 22.6.1901 & was taken PRISONER OF WAR, MODDER RIVER 28.11.1899. The 18th & 75th Bty's were the only Artillery at Modder River. In Lord Methuen's Despatch 1.12.1899 "At Modder River during the entire action the 18th & 75th Batteries had vied with one another in showing gallantry & proficiency" the 18th at Modder River suffered 1 Officer Wounded, 8 O/R's wounded & TWO O/R's P.O.W. (inc. Duncanson) you have to be pretty close to the enemy in the R.F.A. to be captured. An early 'casualty' & 1899 bars for the Boer War. Additionally entitled to the bar S.A.1901.

The 18th Batt. sailed on the Zibenghla before war was declared, and had anything but a prosperous voyage, the machinery breaking down frequently and the water running short. Along with the 75th was the only artillery Lord Methuen had in the actions of Belmont, 23rd November 1899 (see 3rd Grenadiers), and Enslin, 25th November, and up till late in the afternoon these were the only batteries at Modder River, 28th November. At Belmont the artillery horses, not yet hardened up, were utterly unable to pursue at the close of the day—"dead-beat", Lord Methuen said. At Enslin it was much the same, but the artillery did very good work both before and during the action. At Modder River they were invaluable. In his despatch of 1st December 1899 Lord Methuen said: "During the entire action the 75th and 18th Batteries had vied with one another in showing gallantry and proficiency. I dare not write more than Colonel Hall has written, his modest account scarcely doing justice to the splendid conduct of our gunners. The 62nd Battery, marching from Belmont, came straight into action and were of great service". The 18th, 62nd, and 75th did excellent work at Magersfontein. Major General Marshall told the War Commission that the rounds expended were—by the 18th, 1012; the 62nd, 1003; and by the 75th, 924. In the eastern advance these batteries were attached to Tucker's division, and at Paardeberg fired hard from the south bank.

Another great medal, John. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Regards
Brett