TOPIC:

The QSA to Capt F J Choles, Natal Volunteer Forces.


Picture courtesy of DNW

Frederick John Choles was born in Wolverhampton on 24 December 1846, the son of James Oscar Choles, of Wiltshire. Educated at Wolverhampton Grammar School and as an Engineer at the London and North Western Locomotive Engineering Departments. Served in the Bombay Ordnance Department under Major-General Worgan, Inspector-General of Ordnance. Was specially employed at the Gun Powder Mills and Snider factories at Kirkee and later at the Grand Arsenal and Government Dockyards at Bombay. In 1874 he was on special duty at the Arsenals at Mhow and Neemich, Central India.

He was appointed to the Natal Defence Force Department in 1879. Served as Ordnance Officer in the Natal Militia Staff. Was still serving as such in 1906, the oldest member of the Militia Staff. During the Boer War Wars of 1881 and 1899-1902, he served at the Militia’s base of operations - Pietermaritzburg.

David

This chap obviously got about a bit. He actually applied for the KSA but it was refused, not that well connected then!

Doug.

Doug,

The Authorities were not keen on issuing KSAs to many in Natal. This is a lovely QSA though.

Best wishes
David

His second QSA entry (WO100/299p242) has a note I cannot fully read: ___ of operations?

The Natal Volunteer Staff roll (WO100/299p152) reads like the Natal Who's Who?

David

It looks like Base of operations? You can imagine the dinner on a Saturday evening!

Yes, I have to admit, there have been times when I have looked at these and thought nothing of them, but now have a KIA single NATAL and when you look at Rietfontein, the invalided and KIA for that skirmish didn't qualify for the DoL clasp, so it is well worthy of looking into.

I trawled through my interests in the auction over the past few days and you do learn so much.

Doug.