Description
King’s South Africa Medal, 2 bars, SA 1901, SA 1902, 5794 Private William Henry Trenwith, Wiltshire Regiment, who was attached from the 2nd Bn Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Officially impressed: “5794 Pte W.H. Trenwith Wiltshire ****”
William saw unusual service throughout his life, serving a full 21 years in the Army he began with the Royal Irish Fusiliers, before joining the Wiltshires around the time of the Boer War, having received a serious court martial with a sentence of 1 year during the war.
In his late 40s he signed back up for service in 1915 and served with the Royal Fusiliers, ending the war with the Royal Flying Corps and then Royal Air Force.
Service number faint from contact wear and corresponding side makes “Regt” hard to read, consistent with long wear by the recipient.
The recipient was a Musician and Bandsman, the usual cause of such polishing and contact wear.
Earned a matching Queen’s South Africa medal, with 4 clasps for Cape Colony, Transvaal, Tugela Heights and Relief of Ladysmith, with the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
As recorded on his medal, Pte Trenwith served with the 2nd Battalion The Duke of Edinburgh’s Wiltshire Regiment, however he was also Service Number 1389 with the 2nd Battalion (Princess Victoria’s) The Royal Irish Fusiliers.
An unusual feature of this medal is that it is named with his service details with the 1st Wiltshire Regiment, however he is entered onto the rolls of the Royal Irish Fusiliers (with the remarks noting service with the Wiltshires), however he was was convicted from what appears to be a very harsh period of an entire year during 1901 for Drunkenness on duty with the Royal Irish Fus, it seems he might have had to forfeit these medals but was issued them by the Wiltshires instead.
The remarks section for the QSA is filled with notes that read:
“Convicted by Field General Court Martial on 26th February 1901 for 1 year of Imprisonment and Hard Labour for Drunkenness on Duty, (does not forfeit his medal)” It does also add “Forfeited 1/Wilts Regt”.
Chelsea Royal Hospital discharge records record that he was discharged from 2nd Bn Wiltshire Regiment with the Rank of Bandsman on 10th Feb 1905, having served 21 years.
The books note that first enlisted on 20th July 1883, and seen service in the Royal Irish Fusiliers and Wiltshire Regiment.
He signed up again although he was 46 years old on 17th July 1915 with the Royal Fusiliers, trade shown as “Musician”, he was attached to the Royal Flying Corps as a Corporal from 11th March 1918 until the end of the war
