TOPIC:

David

The Choles medal appeals to me because the man behind it had become 'part of the furniture' in Colonial Natal, and, as Doug wrote, gatherings of such men in Pietermaritzburg must have been great occasions. To many of them, 'home' still meant Britain, but the apron strings were loosening, with 1906 being something of a landmark year in that respect.

It was then that the Colonists sorted out their differences with the Zulus on their own without any help, and only a little interference from London, which led Winston Churchill to refer to Natal as that "hooligan Colony". Nevertheless, the reverse of the Natal Rebellion Medal showed Britannia standing protectively with Natalia, which is a permanent reminder that, after all, the ties between the two were still strong.

Regards
Brett

Doug,

That would make sense given his location. Thank you very much for your help.
David

Brett,

I know what you mean about Choles' medal. he must have been in the thick of it in PMB and I can imagine him taking tea in the Governor's residence with the great and the good of Natal.

I should expect and indeed hope that there was rather more on offer than tea when a guest of the Governor of Natal!
It is a super medal.

djb wrote: Brett,

I know what you mean about Choles' medal. he must have been in the thick of it in PMB and I can imagine him taking tea in the Governor's residence with the great and the good of Natal.

While on the subject of Natal's Volunteer Staff, I would appreciate comments on the epaulette shown below. It was given to me many years ago and I have assumed that it came off the dress uniform of one of the Majors on the Volunteer Staff (1902 - 1910).

Brett

Morning Brett,
I tend to agree with you, there is not that many other options really, during the war they wore a brass or silver NVS on their khaki drill tunic's whilst in the field.
Kind regards Frank

Brett Hendey wrote: While on the subject of Natal's Volunteer Staff, I would appreciate comments on the epaulette shown below. It was given to me many years ago and I have assumed that it came off the dress uniform of one of the Majors on the Volunteer Staff (1902 - 1910).

Brett