Description
Queen’s South Africa, 3 bars, Cape Colony, SA 1901, SA 1902, 5731 Pte G. Roberts, 5th Royal Irish Lancers.
Officially impressed: “5731 Pte G. Roberts. 5th Lancers.”
Confirmed on the medal roll.
The medal roll notes: “Arrived in South Africa after 15.7.01”
Mounted as worn on silk ribbon.
George Roberts was born circa 1886 in Newcastle on Tyne, Northumberland.
In the middle of the Boer War, at the age of 24 and working as a Labourer, George enlisted into the “Corps of Lancers of the Line” on 1st November 1900.
He joined the 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers first on 7th November 1900 at their Depot in Canterbury.
However it only took a few months to get arrested, on 4th April 1901 he was “In Confinement” and on 15th April 1901 he was “Tried and Convicted by District Court Martial and Sentenced to be imprisoned.”
The punishment was severe spending the next 84 days in Prison.
He was released and returned to duty on 8th July 1901.
Later that month he was posted for active service in South Africa.
Home, 1st Nov 1900 – 19th July 1901
South Africa Boer War, 20th July 1901 – 19th Sept 1902.
Home, 20th Sept 1902 – 4th Sept 1906
India, 5th September 1906 – 23rd October 1910
South Africa, 24th Oct 1910 – 30th Dec 1912
Home, 31st Dec 1912 – 15th Feb 1913.
Following the Boer War, he signed on for further active service in 1904, and again during 1906.
On 5th September 1906 he joined the 12th Royal Lancers, and went out to India for 4 years with them.
Once he finished out his 12 years, he was sent back home “To England for discharge on completion of Colour Service”
