Description
Queen’s South Africa Medal, 6 bars, Belmont, Modder River, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast, King’s South Africa medal, 2 bars, SA 1901, SA 1902, 1517 Private John Williamson, Coldstream Guards.
QSA Officially impressed: “1517 Pte J. Williamson. Cldstm: Gds:” Large style early impressed naming with ghost dates on reverse.
KSA officially impressed: “1517 Pte J. Williamon. Coldstream Guards.”
All medals and clasps confirmed on the medal roll, a classic “6 Battle Bars” combination to the Guards Brigade who saw much fighting in the earlier stages of the war.
Mounted for wear on original silk ribbons, slightly frayed.
With an original hand written letter of recommendation on Army Parchment.
The letter reads:
“This is to certify that I have known No 1517 Pte J. Williamson Coldm Guards for the past 18 months during which time he has been employed at the Guards Depot in the teaching of Recruits their duties previous to joining their Battns.
Private Williamson has come very much under my notice and I have much pleasure in recommending him for any position of trust he being a steady, hardworking and sober man.
Should any further information be required by any intending employer I will be very pleased to answer any questions within my knowledge regarding Pte Williamson.”
Signed by Quartermaster Acting Paymaster at the Guards Depot, F.M. Walker.”
The letter is stamped Quartermaster’s Office, Guards Depot, Caterham, 9th March 1905.
John Williamson was born circa 1879 in Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland.
He first married to Mina Wells in Glasgow, on 2nd December 1897.
He came down south to the border, working in Cumberland, Carlisle as a Farm Servant.
Whilst in Cumberland he attested for service with the Coldstream Guards, on 10th March 1898.
He then went out to serve in the Boer War, earning these 2 medals for his active service.
Following his term of engagement, he was discharged to the Army Reserve on 9th March 1905, the same date that his Letter of Recommendation was written. His conduct was stated to have been “Very Good.”
Finished out his Army Reserve time to be discharged to “Section D” on 9th March 1914.
