Queens South Africa Medal: Queens South Africa Medal. Silver issue & 3 x clasps 'Cape Colony', 'Tugela Heights', 'Relief of Ladysmith' (3220 Pte. J. Fairs, 2: R. Scots Fus:)

Wounded-in-Action: Private J. Fairs, 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers is confirmed 'Wounded-in-Action', at Pieter's Hill, South Africa on, 27 February 1900

Medal and clasps verification: The recipient, is confirmed as being entitled to the medal and all 3 x clasps per the respective campaign medal roll of, 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, reference WO 100/180, which roll was compiled 'In-the-Field' at Nelspruit, Eastern Transvaal, South Africa, on 26 August 1901. A later supplementary page (2 years later) - dated Aldershot 3rd August 1903 - in the same medal roll shows further entitlement to the Orange Free State & Transvaal, and with remarks against the recipient's entry showing 'Time Expired'. Whether the recipient ever received the latter clasps is unlikely, as the medal is exactly as issued off the 1901 medal roll. Additionally the recipient was also awarded a King's South Africa medal with 2 x dated clasps

Joseph Fairs was a native of Gateshead, Co Durham, England, where he was born circa, 1870. He enlisted in the British Army at, Sunderland, on, 6 December 1890, on which day he was posted to the Regimental Depot of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. After completion of basic training he was posted to 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, with which battalion he served overseas in British India for a period of, 7 years & 47 days. He was transferred to the Army Reserve on, 31 December 1898, and subsequently recalled to 'The Colours', 21 November 1899. He served in South Africa with 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers between, 21 December 1899 to 23 August 1902 (a period of 2 years 246 days). Joseph was 'Wounded-in-Action', at Pieters Hill, on 27 February 1900. By the time he took his final discharge form the British Army, on, 5 December 1902, he had served a total of 12 years 'With the Colours'

Note: The recipients service papers are extant and are held & accessible at The National Archives

Condition: EF

Code: 22493