ABO (Burger B. Blaauw);
1914-15 Star (Pte B.B. Blaauw 11th Infantry);
BWM and bilingual VM (Spr. B.B. Blaauw S.A.E.C.);
St John’s Ambulance Brigade Service medal with 2 bars (2389 B.B. Blaauw S. Africa S.J.A.B.O. 1937);
1953 Coronation medal
City Coins, June 2004
Barend Bernardus Blaauw served as a Free State Burger in the Anglo Boer War from October 1899 to November 1901 when he was taken PoW in that month at Kroonstad and sent to India, to be repatriated and was only finally released in January 1903.
He served under Generals Schoeman and Lemmer, Kaptein Theron and Luitenant Enslin. Saw service in the Free State, Transvaal and Cape Colony and took part in the actions at Colesberg, Sanderpost (Sannaspost?) and Tabaksberg.
Blaauw enlisted with the 11th Infantry (Rand Light Infantry) on 18th August 1914. His unit was in action against the Germans at Grasplatz, about 12 miles inland from Luderitz on 26.9.1914.
On 1.10.1914 Blaauw was transferred to B Company S.A. Engineering Corps as Sapper No. 146. He was discharged on 19.9.1915.
Blaauw was a member of the St John Ambulance Brigade and was awarded their Service Medal in 1937 for 12 years efficient service. He qualified for a first bar in 1942 and a second bar in 1947.
He was awarded the 1953 Coronation Medal for “Railways & Harbours Service” in the Union of South Africa.
