Description
British South Africa Company Medal, reverse Matabeleland 1893, bar Rhodesia 1896, Trooper Alexander David O’Brien, Bechuanaland Border Police.
Officlally engraved: “2149 Troopr A.D. O’Brien B.B. Police”
Confirmed on the medal roll, earning the Matabeleland 1893 medal first as a Trooper in the Bechuanaland Border Police, returning to action earning his 1896 Clasp for service as a Trooper in F Troop, Bechuanaland Field Force.
Alexander David O’Brien was born circa 1868, his enlistment records note that he came from East London, we believe he was born in Cradock (now Nxuba) in the Eastern Cape Province.
Naturally he would return to service once again in the upcoming Boer War, taking part with the Kimberley Light Horse and Border Horse.
He saw service in the Border Horse, before joining the Kimberley Light Horse serving with them from 4th Feb 1902 until 15th April 1902.
His address after discharge was noted as “Battle(?) Place, Beaconsfield”
Interestingly the roll lists 2 other O’Briens in the K.L.H. He served with service number 40263.
J.D. O’Brien was number 40262 having enlisted just before him.
Also P. O’Brien is noted as 40251, they all also have exact same address so look to be his family members.
At the time of enlistment he stated he was a “Colonial” working as a Miner, likely in the local Diamond and Gold industry in the vicinity of Kimberley.
He was 5 foot 7, Roman Catholic and unmarried.
After this he joined the Griqualand West Light Horse on 15th April 1902, noting his occupation as “Ganger”.
Next of kin noted as his brother John O’Brien in Caleise Street, East London, Cape Colony, which is probably the J.D. O’Brien who had the service number 1 before him.
After the war, he married Annie Catherine Banks in East London on 1st June 1904.
He died on 7th July 1848 in East London.
