TOPIC:

Good Morning Everyone.....

For your viewing pleasure my latest acquisition and a milestone in my collection……

I have been collecting QSA’s for over 40 years now and because of that in my local area I received the nickname QSAMIKE……

One of the things that I tried to do with my collection is collect one medal from every unit, British, South African and The Colonies that served in South Africa…..

Well I have now completed one section of my quest…… With my latest acquisition I now have at least one and in more than one case multiple QSA’s for every Regular British Infantry Regiment that served in South Africa….. I am still missing 3 Cavalry and many Imperial Yeomanry, South African and others, but I will keep on going, it will be a never ending journey….. It will be a lot slower now because of the cost, scarcity and being retired it has cut down on the income……

As far as Canadian (which is my prime collection) I am missing six units but I know that I will never be able to complete it as 4 of the units medals are all in collections…..

Now to get to my latest……

4151 Private Charles Foster, 2nd Battalion The Hampshire Regiment

Though not a story like the fantastic ones that Rory does if you read between the lines he was a good soldier until both his wife and daughter died in childbirth…… Note age on enlistment......

Mike

FOSTER, C. (CHARLES)

ARMY FORM B.267

No.: 4151 Name: Charles Foster
Corps: Hampshire Regiment
Joined at: Winchester on 4th August 1893

Charles Foster, born in the Parish / Town of: Bangalore / Bangalore, Country India.
British Subject: Yes
Age: 14 Years 7 Months
Trade or Calling: None
Reside in Fathers House: No
Apprentice: No
Married: No
Imprisonment: No
Do you now belong to H.M. Army, Marines, etc:
Yes, 5th Battalion Hampshire Regiment
Have you ever served in H.M. Army, Marines, etc:
No except in Militia in which I am now serving.
Have you truely stated the whole if any of your previous service: Yes
Have you ever been rejected as unfit for H.M. Service: Yes
Are you willing to be vaccinated or re-vaccinated: Yes
For what Corps are you willing to enlisted etc: Hampshire Regiment
Did you receive a Notice and do you understand its meaning: Yes
{Name: Unable to read
{Corps: Hampshire Regiment
Are you willing to serve upon the following conditions, 12 years etc.: Yes

Age Physically equivalent to: 14 Years, 7 Months
Height: 4 Feet, 7 Inches
Weight: 70 Lbs.
Chest Measurement: 26 / 28 Inches
Complexion: Fresh
Eyes: Grey
Hair: Light Brown
Religion: Church of England
Distinctive Marks: Scar Left Knee

CERTIFICATE OF FINAL MEDICAL EXAMINATION: I consider him FIT for the army.
Date: 5th August 1893 Signed: D. Hunter
Place: Winchester Surgeon: Capt. A.M.S.

CERTIFICATE OF PRIMARY MILITARY EXAMINATION

I hereby certify that the above named recruit has been inspected by me and I consider him FIT for services in the HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT and that I have examined this Attestation and find it properly filled up.
Date: 4th August 1893 Signed: G. H. Nicholson, Capt.
Place: Winchester of Regiment
Recruiting Officer

CERTIFICATE OF APPROVING FIELD OFFICER

I certify that the Attestation of the above named recruit is correct and the required forms appear to have been complied with. I accordingly approve, and appoint him to the HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT.

Date: 4th August 1893 Signed: J. E. Whiting, Colonel
Place: Winchester Commanding Officer of Regiment
Approving Field Officer

STATEMENT of SERVICES of No: 4151 Name: Charles Foster

Service towards limited engagement recons from: 4-8-93

2nd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment

04-08-93 Attested and Posted – Rank – Boy
03-01-93 Attained 15 Years if Age
04-08-95 Granted 1d Good Conduct Pay
01-05-98 Elected to come under the new messing rules Special Army Order of 2nd April 1898
06-03-99 C. Foster, Private, Appointed Bandsman
04-08-99 Granted 2d Good Conduct Pay
24-02-04 Forfeited 1d Good Conduct Pay
03-03-04 Restored 2d Good Conduct Pay
01-04-04 Granted 1d Service Pay
07-04-04 Appointed Unpaid Lance Corporal
16-05-04 Appointed Paid Lance Corporal
15-07-04 Resigned Lance Corporal Stripe
24-03-05 Re-Engaged for the Hampshire Regiment at Malta on 24-3-05 for such term as shall complete 21 years service with the colors.
03-03-06 Granted 3rd Good Conduct Badge

04-04-06 Bermuda Verified
J. Munroe, Lt. Col., Commanding 2nd Hampshire Regiment

22-08-06 Discharged B'dn
M. Nichol, Major, Commanding 4th Depot, R.G.A.

Total Service towards Engagement to 22-08-08 (date of discharge) 13 Years 19 Days

MILITARY HISTORY SHEET

1. Services at Home and Abroad:

Country From To Years Days

Home 04-08-93 03-01-00 6 Years 153 Days
South Africa 04-01-00 28-09-02 2 Years 268 Days
Home 29-09-02 08-09-03 345 Days
Malta 09-09-03 01-12-05 2 Years 86 Days
Bermuda 02-12-05 01-08-06 243 Days
Home 02-08-06 22-08-06 21 Days

Total 13 Years 19 Days

2. Educated at: Royal Military Asylum - Yes
Royal Hibernian Military School - Yes

5. Campaigns: South Africa 1900-01-02

9. Medals, Decorations and Annuities: South Africa with Clasps, Paardeburg, Johannesburg, and Cape Colony
King's South Africa with Clasps 1901, 1902

12. Name and Address of Next of Kin: Father, Pte. Forster, Depot of Hampshire Regiment, Worchester

13. To whom Married and Place and Date: Louisa Lilian Kieber, St. Paul's Church, Malta, 21-03-05, (Deceased) 24- 10-05

14. Date of being placed on Married Establishment: 21-03-05

15. Names of Children, and Dates and Place of Birth: Dorothy Elizabeth, 24-10-05, Malta, (Deceased) 24-10-05

Congratulations Mike, and a nice bit of personal history for your man, as well.
I keep wondering how to focus my QSA collecting, but you've gone to the other extreme!
How many QSA's do you have?

Patrick

Mike,

Congratulations on your latest acquisition.
Great write up as good as " a Rory"

Paul

Mike,

I forgot to say that's a magnificent achievement, good luck on your future collecting goals.

Cheers
Paul

Thanks Patrick......

Lets say more than 200 and less than 1000...... Somewhere in between......

Mike

pjac49 wrote: Congratulations Mike, and a nice bit of personal history for your man, as well.
I keep wondering how to focus my QSA collecting, but you've gone to the other extreme!
How many QSA's do you have?

Patrick

Thank You Patrick and Paul......

Mike