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QSA with CC, T, OFS clasps to 5231 Pte. J.H. Hazzard 2nd Wilts Regt. & KSA with SA01, SA02 to 5231 Pte. T. Hazzard Wiltshire Regt. Although the medals are named to J.H. and T respectively, it's obvious from his papers that it is Isaac Henry Hazzard who was born in Woodford, near Salisbury ca 1875. At 17 he enlisted in the 3rd Bn. (militia) Wiltshire Regiment in November 1895. He appears to have purchased his discharge in April 1897. He was recalled for service in the 2nd Bn. Wilts for South Africa and was captured on 14 February 1900 in the disastorous action at Rensburg. He was released when Lord Roberts took Pretoria and he joined the 1st Bn. on his return to the UK. At Rensburg, 14 were killed in action and 45 were wounded and 130 officers and men were taken prisoner.

The 2nd Battalion sailed on the Gascon on 16th December 1899, and arrived at the Cape on 7 January. Along with the 2nd Bedfordshire Regiment, 1st Royal Irish Regiment, and 2nd Worcestershire Regiment, they formed the 12th Brigade under Major General Clements. The battalion had some heavy fighting in the Colesberg district after General French's mounted troops were withdrawn for the advance from Modder River.

On 12th February 1900 the enemy in great force attacked the positions about Rensburg. On that day the battalion lost 2 men killed and 1 officer and 11 men wounded, the 2nd Worcesters losing much more heavily. On the 14th there was again heavy fighting, in which the Wiltshires lost 12 killed and 45 wounded, and over 100 taken prisoners. General Clements had found it necessary to order a retirement from the Rensburg positions on Arundel, in order to cover Naauwpoort Junction. From the proceedings of the War Commission it appears that the general announced he would retire at 5 am, but that he altered the hour to 12.15 am. Due notice of the alteration was not sent to two companies on outpost. When they came back to camp it had been occupied by the enemy. Endeavouring to follow the rest of the force, these two companies were surrounded and most of them taken prisoners, after making a good defence. No one could blame the two companies; they suffered because there had been an inexcusable want of care in the collecting of the regiment.

John
It is good to see that you are still collecting Boer War PoW medals! You have added a fine pair of medals to your collection. Thank you for showing them.
Regards
Brett

It would be very interesting to see the naming on these medals, WO364 confirms the number 5231 belongs to Isaac Henry Hazzard and shows his entitlement to the medals, WO100/197 shows that there were actually three men with the name Hazzard rather than one, moreover, a man could not have been "recalled" from the Militia to the Army.
Interestingly, RG11 confirms that Isaac Henry Hazzard was John Hale Hazzard's younger brother
Isaac Hazzard died in 1953.

azyeoman wrote: QSA with CC, T, OFS clasps to 5231 Pte. J.H. Hazzard 2nd Wilts Regt. & KSA with SA01, SA02 to 5231 Pte. T. Hazzard 2nd Wilts Regt. Only one Hazzard in regiment and
John Hale Hazzard was born in Woodford, near Salisbury ca 1875. At 17 he enlisted in the 3rd Bn. (militia) Wiltshire Regiment in November 1895. He appears to have purchased his discharge in April 1897. He was recalled for service in the 2nd Bn. Wilts for South Africa and was captured on 14 February 1900 in the disastorous action at Rensburg. He was released when Lord Roberts took Pretoria and he joined the 1st Bn. on his return to the UK. At Rensburg, 14 were killed in action and 45 were wounded and 130 officers and men were taken prisoner. .

Here are the photos of the naming and one of a roster. The numbers match, but the first initials don't and as noted above. The QSA has J.H. while the KSA has T. The 5231 J.H. Hazzard matches the roll indicating his capture at Rensburg with the 2nd Wilts. There is more info on 5231 Pte. JH Hazzard in South African Field Force by JB Hayward & Sons at search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=gbm%2fbw%2f061113
His QSA is confirmed on Roll 197 p. 228.

Some photos of the 2nd Bn. Wiltshire Regiment in S. Africa.

Very nice indeed, my post in your thread was absolutely, by no means whatsoever, a criticism, merely an observation, simply because you appear to have based this mans identity solely upon two published sources, themselves, actually transcribed from returns in WO129 and WO108, which in themselves contain errors and omissions.
The "roster" you show is merely a copy of the wretched "phone book" that is a simple transcript, arranged alphabetically, it's one redeeming feature is that it does contain a copy of The Last Post.
At the end of the day, I myself, always go with the available evidence and the balance of probability, in this particular case, Isaac Hazzard is the only possible candidate, he was serving in the battalion, he is clearly entitled to the medals with his particular service, moreover, how does one interpret a single letter when preparing a medal from a roll provided, is it a J, a T, or perhaps an I, not always easy!

azyeoman wrote: Here are the photos of the naming and one of a roster. The numbers match, but the first initials don't and as noted above. The QSA has J.H. while the KSA has T. The 5231 J.H. Hazzard matches the roll indicating his capture at Rensburg with the 2nd Wilts. There is more info on 5231 Pte. JH Hazzard in South African Field Force by JB Hayward & Sons at search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=gbm%2fbw%2f061113
His QSA is confirmed on Roll 197 p. 228.