TOPIC:

I have grown rather fond of the QSA/KSA pairs to colonials which, whilst often difficult to research in the absence of papers, often throw up the odd gem or two.

The above pairing is nothing exceptional (other than to the recipient I should imagine) but it did tick the box. The QSA is with single Cape Colony clasp to 270 Corpl. S.J. Eastes, Brabant's Horse and the KSA (with normal date clasps) is to 148 Cpl. S.J. Eastes, Midland M.R.

Sylvester John Eastes hailed from the Eastern Cape which tallies jolly nicely with his units. Any info on him would be highly appreciated.

Regards

Rory

Rory,

Another nice acquisition to your collection.
I do like the groups to the colonials and I have Brabants and MMR in my collection.
I hope you are successful with further research.

Cheers
Paul

Sylvester John Eastes was a founder member of the 1st Brabant's, in fact, General Brabant himself liked to assess potential men for his own regiment and there is certainly no absence of papers in WO126/6-14 whatsoever!

Rory,

I concur with your liking of these units. They are very appealing.

Great photos!

Many thanks
David

Interesting pair Rory.

A founder member of Brabant's who didn't leave the Cape Colony, either he was a "depot soldier" or refused as some did to cross into the Free State - not sure the latter would have been tolerated by Brabant himself.

A story there, good luck with the research.

Regards
Meurig

As has been postulated - Eastes was one of the early volunteers for this unit. Herewith his attestation paper.