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QSA: CC, OFS, TR, SA01, SA02 - 5674 L. Corpl W. Sharpe. Hampshire Regt

This Q.S.A. was awarded to Corporal W. Sharpe, Hampshire Regiment, who taken prisoner near Doornfontein on 28 March 1902 but was released and re-joined his unit a fortnight later, his capture being recorded in Murray Crosby Jackson's memoir 'A Soldier's Diary'

W. Sharpe was stationed with the 2nd Hampshires in March 1902, when they were involved in Guarding railway lines and other key posts; two companies were at Barberton but had been ordered back to Pretoria. The first left on 24 March and the other departed on the 30 March but was involved in the Barberton railway accident where over 40 were killed. There was a further Hampshire company with the 7th Mounted Infantry at the end of the war that was subsumed into the 27th Mounted Infantry, the last one to be formed, to give it experienced men.

Sharpe was in the Mounted Infantry and was captured about 30 miles from Klerksdorp. He was kept about a fortnight and treated well. His capture, internment, and subsequent release are described in Murray Crosby Jackson's memoir A Soldier's Diary.

"Another man named Sharpe fell out in the wood where I saw the two Boers, and as soon as he was left he was amongst the Boers. They were riding just behind us. We had passed within 300 yards of their laager, where they had three or four guns! He said they were in rather a stew - didn't know where to go - so kept following us to see where we were going. They took Sharpe's horse and made him ride on a gun carriage, so he got a beautiful view of proceedings. As I say, they followed us all night; and at daybreak, when we had got as far as we were going, and were extending to meet the columns on either side to drive back to the line, they dodged through some hilly country between our column and the next. probably we saw them and took them for our side. Sharpe said it was a near thing several times they would come round a hillock almost on to a company of ours, and dodge back and around the other side; and once they sat their horses in a clump in a steep hollow, expecting every movement to see our helmets over the rise, as they had seen a mob coming straight for them, but they went into the next kloof. of course, Sharpe was given to understand that to make any sign would not be health for him. They kept him a fortnight and treated him pretty well."

Hi Azyeoman,

Very tidy medal indeed; I too had my eye on this lot and was hoping that someone on this forum was successful with it; I'm pleased to see that it was the case.

Great addition to your collection.

Regards,
Sturgy