About the product

QSA Kimberley Mafeking KIA Platberg

An emotive Q.S.A. with service in the Defence of Kimberley and Relief of Mafeking, to a Cornishman, Trooper James “Jim” Bolitho, Kimberley Lt Horse, Killed in action at Platberg, 31st December 1901.

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SKU: J7206 Category:
Origin: United Kingdom
Nearly Extremely Fine

Description

Queen’s South Africa, 4 bars, Relief of Mafeking, Defence of Kimberley, Orange Free State, Transvaal, 770 Trooper J. Bolitho, Kimberley Light Horse.

 

“In the field, on the march, or in camp, Mr Bolitho was always the same, and by his soldier-like qualities, his genial manner, and cheerfulness under hardships and adversities, he endeared himself to all his comrades, from non-coms, to the youngest trooper in the regiment. One can imagine the tone of conversation around the bivouac fires on the night of the 31st.

Poor old Bolitho, I am sorry for him, hard luck on him to get knocked over now after being all through the campaign, But after all, such are the fortunes of war, He died a soldier’s death, may he rest in peace!”

 

Officially impressed: “770 Tpr: J. Bolitho. Kimberley Lt. Horse” Neat official correction to service number.

 

James Bolitho, who went by “Jim”, was an old Cornishman from the town of Saint Just, Penwith, Cornwall.

 

The Bolitho name, is well known in Cornwall, a typically Cornish surname which originally came from the Place named Bolitho in Menheniot, Cornwall.

James was born during 1856, in St Just, Penwith, Cornwall, however his South African Probate records record him as about 37 years old, perhaps he skimmed a few years of his age as he was in his mid 40’s during the war and would not have wanted to be rejected for field service, not having been preparing for such a moment for over 20 years with the 1st Volunteer Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry.

 

He was the son of James and Margaret Bolitho, being the only son, with 6 sisters, living at Truthwall Moor in St Just.

By trade James was a “Cordwainer”, a Shoemaker who makes new shoes from scratch.

Before going to South Africa circa 1896, he had already amassed over 20 years of service in the local J Company, 1st Volunteer Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, he had been preparing all these years to finally fight for his country and home, an obituary states he was not however entitled to a Volunteer’s Long Service medal due to “red-tape”.

 

 

An interesting and detailed obituary for Jim was written locally in “The Cornishman” on 6th February 1902 which reads:

‘Brave Mr. James Bolitho

The late Mr. James Bolitho, of St. Just, recently killed in action with the Diamond Field’s horse at the Platberg, 35 miles north of Kimberley, was one of whom Cornwall may feel proud. Taking up arms on the first cry of danger in Oct., 1899, he remained in continual active service up to his death. He had seen considerable service on the western frontier and was entitled to four clasps.

 

During the siege of Kimberley the deceased served for a short period in the Kimberley Light horse – getting transferred to the Beaconsfield Town Guard. He was with them at the taking of Alexandersfontein, Feb. 14, 1900. One clasp was for the defence of Kimberley.

 

On the disbandment of town-guards deceased enlisted in the D.F.H., was at the occupation of Boshof, March 11, 1900, also at the taking of Warrenton, March 16, under Colonel Tom Peakman, and when one squadron D.F.H. defended the Pont and Fourteensteams bridge against Gen. Du Toit’s whole commando. Again back into the Free State he was in the fight in which the famous French General Villilais de Matriet was killed. Later was at the saving of Lord Methuen’s convoy in the retreat from Zwaitkopjesfontein. The D.F.H. received the personal compliments of Lord Methuen on that occasion.

 

He was on Mahon’s flying column in the famous march to Mafeking, and, after the relief was accomplished, the deceased, with several others, volunteered for service in the Transvaal under Col. Peakman, and was at the occupation of Licbtenberg and the subsequent operations in the Western Transvaal, including Otto’s Hoop, Zeerust, Klerksdorp, etc.

 

On his return to Kimberley be rejoined his old corps and until his death had been on detachment and column duty within a radius of 50 miles of Kimberley. The deceased was entitled to the Volunteer Long Service Medal. Previous to 1896 he had served over 20 years in the ‘J’ Company, 1st Volunteer Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, but, owing to red-tapeism, or some slight misunderstanding, he did not receive the coveted honour.

 

In the field, on the march, or in camp, Mr. Bolitho was always the same, and by his soldier-like qualities, his genial manner, and cheerfulness under hardship and adversities, he endeared himself to all his comrades, from non-comrades to the youngest trooper in the regiment. One can imagine the tone of conversation around the bivouac fires, on the night of the 31st.

 

“Poor old Bolitho, I am sorry for him; hard luck on him to get knocked over now after being all through the campaign.”

 

But, after all, such are the fortunes of war. He died a soldier’s death. May be rest in peace!’

 

 

Served 20th Nov 1899 to 24th Nov 1899, served Kimberley T G No I Section B Company Beaconsfield Town Guard, from 24th Nov 1899 and Kimberley LH 358 7th March 1900 to 10th Nov 1900