Description
Cape Copper Company Medal for the Defence of O’okiep, Bronze, awarded to 744 Pte P. Voss, Namaqualand Town Guard.
Officially impressed as issued: “P. Voss.” Some general wear over the years otherwise a good condition example.
Confirmed on the Q.S.A. roll and shown as “Engaged with the enemy at O’okiep” However his entry is crossed through as he was not noted as “White” and “Coloured” members were unjustly disqualified from earning the Queen’s South Africa Medal, however he was still issued this unofficial medal locally as a recognition for his services, making this his sole entitlement.
A very rare and interesting medal awarded to those who took up arms to defend the town during the Siege of O’okiep.
A Peter Voss, born during 1839, married to Mary Voss, died during 1899 in Pella, Namaqualand, having worked as a Farm Labourer, presumed to have been this man’s father.
His race is shown as “Hottentot”, the historical term for the Khoikoi, originally the non-Bantu indigenous population of South Africa.