Description
Queen’s South Africa Medal, 8 bars (7 confirmed), Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902, 4754 Pte Sydney Heath, 1st Bn King’s Royal Rife Corps.
Officially impressed: “4754 Pte S. Heath. K.R.R.C.”
The first 7 bars are all confirmed on the medal, making it a correct 7 bar medal, the top clasp for SA 1902 is not entitled.
A close look at the rivets on the medal indicates that the medal was seemingly issued as a 6 bar medal, the later issued pair of SA 1901 and SA 1902 date clasps are officially riveted together and were then attached to the medal by a skilful hand.
The medal it self was first authorised for issue , the date clasp 1901 was authorised about January 1903.
The medal roll for the QSA notes that he was sent home and discharged due to time expired on his contract, dated 4th February 1901.
Looks like he was just finishing out a typical 12 year contract having joined up around 1889.
There is some possibility he might have returned with another unit, possibly a Colonial unit such as the South African Constabulary, however nothing has been found as of yet.
Provenance, ex John Hillard Collection, then Irv Mortensen Collection before being sold in Morton and Eden on 12th Dec 2008.
Before earning this medal he took part in 2 campaigns in India.
For this he is additionally entitled to the India General Service Medal 1854, 2 bars, Samana 1891, Hazara 1891.
The medal has been mounted alongside the IGS ribbon.
During 1891, the 1st Bn K.R.R.C. were deployed to the “Black Mountains” of India, as part of the Hazara Field Force.
Previously the Hazara Campaign of 1888 was not honoured by the locals leading to another, General Sir Frederick Roberts observed that: “the Black Mountain tribes, [having been] quite un-subdued by the fruitless expedition of 1888, had given trouble almost immediately afterwards. [The second expedition] was completely successful in political results as in its military conduct. The columns were not withdrawn until the tribesmen had become convinced that they were powerless to sustain a hostile attitude towards us, and that it was in their interest, as it was our wish, that they should henceforth be on amicable terms with us.”
That same year the regiment was once again deployed with the Miranzai Field Force led by General Sir William Lockhart into the Samana Range of the North West Frontier of India (Now Pakistan).
To read more about his extensive services in the Boer War, Angloboerwar.com has a detailed section on the 1st Bn KRRC:
https://www.angloboerwar.com/unit-information/imperial-units/566-kings-royal-rifle-corps?showall=1
