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Picture courtesy of the London Medal Co

QSA (1) Defence of Mafeking; (A. GOWER. MAFEKING TOWN GD.).

Little is known about this man.

On offer at £2,500. That is quite a variety of prices for a Town Guard medal in the last week.

Picture courtesy of JB Military Antiques

This QSA (1) `DoM' is to be auctioned by JB Military Antiques later this month.

I presume this is the medal sold by Spink in November 2022.

This medal is attributed to Ernest Mitchell Gates. I have asked Jamey how it is known this is the medal to Ernest Mitchell and not his brother Edwin Mitchell. Both received a single clasp medals named to E M Gates of the Mafeking TG.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (1) Defence of Mafeking (J. Lottering. Mafeking Town Gd:);
British War Medal (Burger J. A. Lottering. 1ste Z.A.R.)

Probably Joseph Lottering.

He served in the Mafeking Town Guard and was present with his wife and two young daughters, Johanna and Josephine, both of whom died during the siege, aged three years and less than one respectively.

Not previously recorded as being extant.

The pair to Joseph Lottering sold for a hammer price of GBP 1,300. Totals: GBP 1,674. R 36,620. AUD 3,090. NZD 3,340. CAD 2,730. USD 1,980. EUR 1,850.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (1) Defence of Mafeking (J. Rolneck. Mafeking Town Gd:)

J. Rolneck is confirmed on the roll as entitled to the Queen’s South Africa Medal with clasp Defence of Mafeking, for his service with the Mafeking Town Guard during the siege from 13 October 1899 to 17 May 1900; approximately 513 Medals awarded to this unit. The Boer War Casualty Roll by Alexander M. Palmer further notes a ‘J. Rollneck’ was wounded during the Siege of Mafeking on 16 January 1900, whilst serving with the medical staff.

The medal to 219 Private A.J. BROWN, Cape Police, has surfaced on eBay (Canada).

Item No. 395042493262
Buy it Now: $4,250 CAD; £2,484.74 GBP
Listing ends 4 Jan 2023





DESCRIBED AS:

219 Pte. A. J. Brown. Cape Police

Edge bruise and contact marks, nearly very fine.

Alexander John Brown was born in Middlesex on 23 November 1873 and enlisted in the Cape Police at Kimberley on 21 April 1896. He served in District 2 during the Bechuanaland Rebellion (Medal and clasp), and during the Boer War from 11 October 1899 to 31 May 1902 (also entitled to the King’s South Africa Medal with two clasps, QSA roll confirms award).

No. 2 District Cape Police received only (54) clasps for the Defence of Mafeking, of these, the survival rate is estimated to be 34%.

At Mafeking, also, the Cape Police contributed a very valuable section of the defenders. In his despatch Colonel Baden-Powell stated the total drilled force at 38 officers and 679 men, of whom there were — of Cape Police, Division I, Inspector Marsh, 2 officers and 45 men; Division II, Inspector Brown, 2 officers and 54 men. In the numerous actions and skirmishes, as well as in holding the trenches, the Cape Police with their maxim did excellent work, which was several times mentioned by Colonel Baden-Powell. He also spoke very highly of the individual efforts of several officers and men. In the telegraphic despatch of 13th April 1900 Colonel Baden-Powell, speaking of an attack on the 11th, said: "A small attacking force advanced against Fort Abrams. The garrison under Corporal Webb, Cape Police, reserved their fire until they were within effective range, and, with assistance from Fort Cronje, repulsed the attack. The enemy left five dead".

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