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Hello Ian,
That would be Clevedon, a very interesting gentleman to be sure, a brief look at RG14 seems to suggest to me that he is also show in BT395 for additional service, I spend a good deal of time in Clevedon every year and this summer will be no exception, the views are unchanged across the busy shipping channel into Avonmouth, I would think he dreamed about service at sea as a small boy!
Regards Frank

LinneyI wrote: Brett
Inspired by your good self, I splashed out on the NA site and have a scan of the MIC. Medal issued to an address in Bristol; chap born in Clevdon. Pity the BWM is missing.
Regards again
IL.

Ian

I have only one South African Mercantile Marine pair in my collection. It is named to 'C G Sheppard' and the use of initials was said to be the South African way. It later transpired that this is not necessarily true.

Collecting early S A navy medals is difficult because they seldom appear on the market. They are as follows:
Boer War - Natal Naval Volunteers
1906 Natal Rebellion - Natal Naval Corps
World War I - RNVR (South African Division) & Merchant Navy.

Regards
Brett

Brett
It must be difficult if there is no definitive way to readily ID a SA Mercantile Marine recipient apart from research. If a MM/BWM pair is being looked at for an SA connection, is the latter medal impressed to assist a quick ID? I do know that Mercantile Marine medals to Australians were actually so impressed; makes that easier. Well, we have departed rather far from my initial enquiry and at least I now what Company my QSA Dawes chap served in - thanks to Jon.
Nice pic, Frank.
Regards to all
IL.

Hello Ian,
My only caveat is that I would be very suprised if you are looking at the same person here, it would be interesting to see what exists in Pietermaritzburg and I think I would get Jenny Duckworth to take a look at him.
If he had been in the SAMIF then I would have less of an issue, but, the Natal Volunteers were rather differant and I just cannot see a photographers apprentice who then becomes a photographer himself, working from a very pleasant home in Clevedon actually enlisting into the DLI for the hell of it, I really can't, the two are just so far apart.
Regards Frank

hi, I, have both volumes 1 and 2 of the Durban light infantry, although volume 1 1854-1934 gives a very good account of the armoured train incident and the company's involved, it doesn't appear to have any rolls, except odd men mentioned. regards saxon.

Frank
I don't know where the photographer's apprentice/photographer came from. And whether it applies to the DAWES in the DLI - or the Mercantile Marine DAWES? Indeed, the different second initial may be a signal that the x2 DAWES are not one and the same. Does not worry me at all. The Durban LI is an interesting unit and the QSA stands well alone.
Thanks to all who have commented.
IL.