Description
Queen’s South Africa, bar Defence of Kimberley, Private Thomas Gordon, Kimberley Town Guard, excellent condition example, also served Damants Horse (late Rimmington’s Guides)
Officially impressed: “Pte T. Gordon. Kimberley Town Gd:”
Provenance, ex Philip Burman July 1999.
According to the Kimberley Siege Roll by Dr David Biggins:
“Thomas Gordon, served during the siege with the No 1 Redoubt, and then served in Damants Horse from 2nd September 1901 to 12th March 1902.
He was noted as a Labourer by occupation.”
For his additional services he earned the SA 1901 and SA 1902 dated clasps, however as the medal was issued with only he Defence of Kimberley Clasp, these would be sent later and were never attached to the medal.
The medal roll for Damant’s Horse recall that he was previously in the Kimberley Town Guard, when the clasps were authorised circa 1905, long after the issue of his medal.
At the time of joining Damants Horse on 2nd September 1901, Thomas was noted as:
29 Years old, British Man, 5 foot 7 inches tall, weighing 148 lbs.
He had fair complexion, blue eyes and light hair.
His next of kin was noted back home as his Mother, Mrs E. Gordon, 50 Green Hill Street, Park Lane, Liverpool.
Should be:
Thomas Gordon, born in Lancashire England circa 1871.
Died aged 62 at 38 Cross Street, Germiston, Transvaal, on 23rd December 1933.
Worked as a “Mine Engine Driver”, it would appear he was working in a similar capacity in Kimberley, home to the De Beers Mine.
He had married his former wife, Winifred Maud Man on 2nd December 1916 at Johannesburg.
