TOPIC:

I have acquired a QSA with a single Natal clasp to 83 Pte. E Calverley of the Natal Royal Rifles. Apart from knowing very little about this outfit (there is precious little on this site or any other) I was wondering how "scarce" or uncommon a single Natal clasp medal would be to this or any other outfit.

Calverley is in good company on his medal roll with several comrades who seem also to have only received the one clasp.

According to the nominal roll Ernest Wheeler Calverley served from 30/9/99 until 18/12/1900 before being discharged.

Any input would be highly appreciated.

Regards

Rory

Hello Rory

A nice medal there.

177 officers and men on the roll, just 11 with the single clasp Natal. For all units I have recorded 526 single Natal clasps so far.

Majority of NRR received the single Relief of Ladysmith clasp, 34 men received other clasps like CC, OFS, T, Belfast etc.

Just one casualty during the war - Pte A Hannah, died of enteric 08-07-1900 Pietermarizburg. WO100 shows Pte 181 H Cheney died 24-04-1901 - he is not listed in Watt so I am not sure he died on active service or not.




Picture of Hannah's grave on eggsa .

Regards
Meurig

Rory

This medal was once in my collection and I bought because of the family name. I knew about Squadron Sergeant Major W Calverley, Zululand Mounted Rifles, whose exploits in the 1906 Natal Rebellion had earned him one of the only 10 DCM's (Natal) ever awarded. It transpired that E Calverley had a less exciting time during the Boer War, so his medal was moved on.

Regards
Brett

It transpired that E Calverley had a less exciting time during the Boer War, so his medal was moved on.

This may well be the case but, since acquiring it a matter of days ago I have tracked down Calverley's grandson, Maynard (an old family name)who is in possession of a number of photographs of his grandad in uniform, both during the Boer War and then in Masonic regalia.

What started out as a mundane medal is brought to life by a visual depiction of what the man looked like.

Maynard also confirmed that Ernest Wheeler Calverley and the Calverley of DCM that Brett refers to were cousins.

Regards

Rory