Description
Queen’s South Africa, 4 bars, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, SA 1901, 59630 Quartermaster Sergeant James Hutchings, 17th Western Division Royal Garrison Artillery.
Officially impressed: “59630 Sgt J. Hutchings, 17th W.D. R.G.A.”
Confirmed on the medal roll, initially for the medal and first 2 clasps then the Transvaal and SA 1901 pair of clasps, which is featured on his own roll page of the 98th Company R.G.A. signed by his late Commanding Officer of the 17th W.D. R.G.A., which he had written up in India during 1908.
With copy service papers.
By the end of his long career aged 42 in 1908, he was was the Company Quartermaster Sergeant and had finished his 2nd period of engagement.
His conduct was “Exemplary” his special qualification in civil life: “Clerk, Storekeeper, He has been CQMS for 6 years.”
He also earned the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, earned in 1906.
He had travelled all over the world in his service spending almost 15 years overseas, being posted to Mauritius (twice), Bermuda, Canada, Jamaica and South Africa (twice) and St Helena.
James was born in Kingsclere, Newbury, Hampshire circa 1866.
The son of Eli and Ellen, he lived in Kingsclere with them and his 2 brothers.
In 1881, shortly before enlisting he was a 16 year old Farm Servant at Platts Farm in Itchingswell (Aka Ecchinswell) in Kingsclere
He first enlisted on 2nd February 1887 at Fort Rowner, being a 21 year old Shoeing Smith.
He saw extensive service over 21 years of his full career receiving steady promotion up the ranks, seeing the following postings:
Home, 1st Feb 1897 – 29th Sept 1887
Mauritius, 30th Sept 1887 – 30th June 1889
Cape Town, 1st July 1889 – 7th August 1894
Mauritius, 8th August 1894 – 23rd June 1897
Home, 24th June 1897 – 2nd Feb 1900
South Africa, 3rd Feb 1900 – 20th Dec 1901
Bermuda, 21st Dec 1901 – 6th March 1903
Halifax (Canada), 7th March 1902 – 14th May 1902
Jamaica, 15th March 1902 – 9th Dec 1903
St Helena, 10th Dec 1903 – 9th nov 1904.
Home, until discharged in Jan 1908.
