Description
Queen’s South Africa Medal, 4 bars, 5230 Private Thomas McAndrew, 1st Battalion “The Black Watch” Royal Highlanders, from Cowdenbeath, Fife, Scotland.
Officially impressed: “5230 Pte T. McAndrew. Rl: Highrs:”
Confirmed on the medal roll.
Thomas McAndrew, was born circa 1875 in Cowdenbeath, Fife.
He was an 18 year old Miner when he enlisted on 6th May 1893.
However he appears to have actually been only 16 years old on enlistment, his entries on the censuses noting Birth in 1877, it would appear he was eager to leave behind the Fife Coal Mines, where his whole family worked.
The McAndrew family was massive, being born all around Fife, likely where Coal Mine work was at the times of birth.
In 1891, Thomas was a 14 year old Coal Miner, his 2 older Brothers and Father all Coal Miners, and had another 7 underage children, a few years away from a similar job. In total He had at least 6 brothers and 3 sisters.
Saw the following service over 12 years:
Home, 6th May 1893 – 4th July 1894
Cape Town South Africa, 5th July 1894 – 17th Feb 1896
India, 18th Feb 1896 – 5th Dec 1901
South Africa (Boer War), 6th Dec 1901 – 30th July 1902.
Home, 31st July 1902 – 5th May 1905.”
According to his service records, he may have had a lucky escape from any indiscretions as his Commanding Officer writes:
“Certified that the company defaulters sheet of NO 5230 Private Thomas McAndrew was lost in the Wilge River and up to the present time has not been recovered.” Signed by Captain Grant, CO of F Company, dated 1st July 1902, Harrismith.
During WW1, he served at home with the Royal Highlanders and RAMC from 14th May 1915 to 20th March 1919, but earned no medals as far as we can see.
