TOPIC:

I have just acquired a lone KSA to 337 Tpr. V.V. Butler of the Natal Vol. Comp. Regt.

Now here's the thing.. On checking the various medal rolls connected with him I find that he was issued with a QSA with TVL clasp to the Vol. Comp. Regt, BUT (and herein lies the question) he does not appear to have been transferred in from or previously attached to any other unit.

I have several combinations to the N.V.C.R., even a pair (look at my avatar), to a chap where both medals are named to the N.V.C.R. but in their case they had transferred in from e.g. the Border Mounted Rifles.

Is this an uncommon occurrence? I also have his original discharge parchment which confirms service with the N.V.C.R. only and with service of 1 year and 171 days. Wouldn't he have to serve 1 year and 180 days and more to be eligible for the KSA (with both date clasps) or was there a certain amount of latitude allowed?

Regards

Rory

Rory

Possibly the first nominal roll for the Natal Volunteer Composite Regiment was that published in 'Natal Volunteer Record' (1900). The NCO's and other ranks are numbered from 1 to 285, and all had previously served with regular Natal Volunteer Regiments. At least some of the NVCR men recruited later, including Butler (No. 337), evidently did not have such prior service.

Fibs about the eligibility and otherwise of Natal Colonials for the KSA are not uncommon, and a shortfall of a mere nine days may have hardly mattered to the authorising officer in Butler's case..

Regards
Brett

Gentlemen,
The rolls are very clear on this particular man, a KSA was the norm to this regiment and I certainly see no reason whatsoever why he would have to have served prior to joining the NVCR.