Description
Cape of Good Hope General Service Medal, 2 bars, Transkei, Basutoland, Trooper R.J.G. Warren, Cape Mounted Yeomanry.
Officially engraved: “Tpr R.J.G. Warren. C.M. Yeo”
Entitlement confirmed on the roll
Robert John Gerard Warren was born on 26th September 1861 in Paarde Kraal Farm, Cradock District, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Served in the successive early wars of Basuto Gun War of 1880-81 and the war in Tembuland and Griqualand East, Transkei 1880-81.
The medal was however only established during 1900, shortly before Warren’s death as such the medal has seen very little wear.
Robert Warren died on 30th October 1902 at Cedarville, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.
A rare medal, only 5252 medals were issued, as the award was retroactive, no posthumous awards could be claimed and Trooper Warren had served almost 20 years earlier in the wars, those already dead, or casualties of the campaign could not receive a medal.
484 Medals were issued in total bearing 2 bars for Transkei and Basutoland.
The Basuto Gun War of 1880-81, came about just after the end of the Zulu War, as the Cape of Good Hope Government not attempted to disarm the Basotho in case of another uprising. Some chiefs reluctantly complied, but those that did were almost immediately attacked by the chiefs who had refused to comply, notable Lerothodi and Moletsane.
As a result in September 1880 they also then attacked some white administrators, leading to troops being mobilised and the war officially began. There were a number of encounters fought until February 1881 when an armistice was arranged.
The Transkei campaign came about when troops were deployed between 13th September 1880 and 13th May 1881 to Thembuland and Griqualand West, where the local native Xhosa populations became increasingly hostile to settlers in the districts of Tsolo, Maclear, Matatiele and Qumbu.
