Description
Cape of Good Hope General Service Medal, bar Bechuanaland, 289 Lance Corporal William James Dryden, Cape Police. A Scotsman who came to South Africa.
Officially engraved: “289 Lce Cpl W.J. Dryden. C. Pol.”
Confirmed on the roll, good condition example, A scarce medal with only about 5,154 medals issued in total spread out over the 3 clasps.
William James Dryden was born in Scotland circa 1869.
He likely came to South Africa some time in the 1890s as many Europeans arrived around this time due to the opportunities available.
Following his service in the “Bechuanaland Rebellion” he continued his work with the Cape Police.
He soon after married at Kimberley to Anna Amelia Price Meyering on 10th March 1898, where he was recorded as a Corporal in the Cape Police at that time.
He then served in the Boer War, with the Cape Police District 1 with war service from 11th October 1899 to 20th June 1901, when discharged time expired.
For this service he earned the QSA with bars Cape Colony, Orange Free State and South Africa 1901.
Later died in Bloemfontein on 22nd December 1941 aged 71, at which time he was working as an Assistant Clerk at a Bottle Store.
