TOPIC:

QSA’s with the clasp Elandslaagte have often featured on this forum. My own small collection is largely made up of medals awarded to men of the Imperial Light Horse and Natal Volunteer Regiments. They include no gallantry decorations, and those of only two officers. Surprisingly, although most of this small sample includes medals with Elandslaagte clasps that are ‘right’ in all respects, there is one that was almost certainly dishonestly added, another where the recipient’s entitlement was overlooked, and a third with an incorrect clasp associated with it.
It would be interesting to know if others have such aberrations in their collections.

RIGHT
Since the Siege of Ladysmith (2 November 1899) started so soon after the nearby Battle of Elandslaagte (22 October 1899), most men who took part in the battle retreated to Ladysmith where they were caught up in the Siege and later awarded the Elandslaagte/Defence of Ladysmith clasp combination. One such man was Corporal S G H Waller, Natal Mounted Rifles, whose story has been told elsewhere on this forum ( angloboerwar.com/forum/5-medals-and-awar...osite-regiment#46272 ).


The only major exception to the units that retreated from Elandslaagre was the Natal Field Artillery, where the entire unit was withdrawn and bypassed Ladysmith to become part of the Relief of Ladysmith force, thus earning the Elandslaagte/Relief of Ladysmith clasps.

This combination was, however, also awarded to a small number of men from the besieged units. They were mainly men who had been wounded at Elandslaagte, and who had also bypassed Ladysmith in order to receive treatment away from the front. By the time they were fit again, the Siege had commenced and they were reassigned to other units to take part in the Relief operations. Not surprisingly, it was mostly men from two of the regiments most heavily engaged at Elandslaagte who fell into this category, namely, the Gordon Highlanders (30), and the Imperial Light Horse (21).

Otherwise, there were only a few men from other besieged units with this clasp combination.

Added to this category were a small number who later served in other units, and whose medals were awarded off their rolls. An example was RSM Robert Lang of Menne’s Scouts, who also served in the Colonial Scouts, Imperial Light Horse and Natal Volunteer Composite Regiment. He must have earned the Elandsfontein clasp while serving with the ILH.

WRONG
The Battle of Elandslaagte was one of the most notable fought in the Natal campaign, so it is not surprising to discover that some men dishonestly added this clasp to their entitlement. One such man suspected of doing so was Major J R Greer, Border Mounted Rifles, whose story has been told elsewhere of this forum. ( angloboerwar.com/forum/5-medals-and-awar...mounted-rifles#45938 ).


MISTAKES
Another category included men who went on to serve in other units, and whose earlier clasp entitlement was overlooked. An example was Trooper Alan Haliday Johnson, whose QSA was issued off the ILH roll, and who had his earlier service with the Natal Mounted Rifles and entitlement to the Elandslaagte and Defence of Ladysmith clasps overlooked. His QSA carried the Natal clasp instead. Johnson was killed during the war, and the error was not detected and corrected by his next-of-kin. Johnson’s story is told elsewhere on this forum. ( angloboerwar.com/forum/5-medals-and-awar...e-at-mafeking-4#3262 ).


Given all the complications with the recording of QSA clasp entitlement, especially to Colonials, mistakes were inevitable, but, nevertheless, they were remarkably rare.

REFERENCE
Biggins, D J. 2004. Elandslaagte. Account and Medal Roll. Token Publishing Ltd.

Brett Hendey
20 August 2017

For a reason known only to the Windows 10 Gremlins that inhabit my computer, the penultimate paragraph of my contribution was omitted.

The final category considered here is that of medals issued with the Elandslaagte/Relief of Ladysmith clasp combination, but where contradictory records exist indicating that the entitlement to the Defence of Ladysmith clasp instead. An example is that of Trooper H W M Gillespie, Natal Mounted Rifles. His story has yet to be told on this forum, but evidently Gillespie was stricken with enteric during the Siege, and did not rejoin his regiment afterwards. He was finally discharged as no longer fit for service in October 1900. NMR records place him in Ladysmith during the Siege, and, if this was indeed the case, the incorrect clasp was fitted by the issuing office.

Brett
That really is a good post! The combination of Elandslaagte and Relief of Ladysmith is indeed uncommon; my only example is a chap in the Manchesters who was wounded at Elandslaagte.
I am sure that many others look forward to seeing such gems (flawed or not!) from your collection.
Best regards
IL.

Really impressive Brett and very well positioned into the bargain - unless otherwise mentioned to what outfit is the no-clasp Bambataha to Gillespie?

IL & Rory

Many thanks for your encouraging responses. I hope that others will post variations from the norm in their collections. I have another QSA in my collection, whose unit was seconded to the NMR at Elandslaagte, but none were awarded the clasp. However, I decided to use Johnson as the example instead.

Gillespie's Rebellion Medal is named to Leader, Durban Militia Reserves.

Regards
Brett

Evening Brett

An interesting topic you have raised, I have delved into my collection and have two of the "non standard" issues



On the left is the QSA to 33 TPR : P. MAXWELL. IMP:LT HORSE,
Wounded Elandslaagte 21 October 1899, shot through shoulder, I have a copy of his letters from the Boer War and he states he was evacuated tp PMB and after a lengthy recuperation rejoined the regiment in time for the Relief of Mafeking, just 3 of this combination (Elandslaagte, Relief of Mafeking)on roll

On the right is the QSA to 227 TPR : A.F. SANDER. NATAL M.R.
Wounded Farquar's Farm (Lombards Kop) 30 October 1899. Casualties for the N.M.R. for this action were 1 killed and 2 wounded

Regards
Jon