Queens South Africa Medal 1899-1902. Silver issue with 3 x clasps 'Cape Colony', 'Orange Free State', 'Transvaal' (29452 Pte: J. McDonald, 20th Coy Imp: Yeo:)

The recipient Private James McDonald, a native of Newtonmore, Inverness, Scotland, served in South Africa with the 20th (Fife and Forfarshire Light Horse) Company, Imperial Yeomanry

Medal & clasps verification: The medal and all 3 x state clasps confirmed as entitled per the respective campaign medal rolls of the 20th Company Imperial Yeomanry (ref WO 100/122) which rolls were compiled and signed 'In-the-Field' at Thaban'chu Orange River Colony, South Africa on, 20 December 1901. A later supplementary page in the same medal roll, compiled and signed on, 26 April 1904 - more than 2 years later - show further entitlement to the 2 x dated clasps 'South Africa 1901' & 'South Africa 1902'. Whether the later dated clasps were ever sent, or received by James McDonald, is unknown. The medal being as-issued

James McDonald, son of Donald McDonald (who as James's notified next-of-kin in 1901, resided at, Westend, Newtonmore, Inverness-shire) was a native of Newtonmore, Inverness-shire, Scotland, where he was born in 1880. James was 20 years of age, and employed as a 'Clerk' when he volunteered and enlisted for the Imperial Yeomanry, at, Cupar, Fife, Scotland on, 27 February 1901, on which date he was posted to the 20th (Fife and Forfarshire Light Horse) Company, Imperial Yeomanry. Prior to volunteering for the newly created Imperial Yeomanry, James had been apprenticed for more then 3 years with the Inverness Highland Railway Company, and cited military service as a Volunteer with the 1st (Volunteer) Battalion Queens Own Cameron Highlanders, with which unit he had served for 1 & a half years. His terms of engagement were 'One Year's Service With The Colours'. James - an already serving Volunteer soldier - was already well trained, and from 17 March 1901 until 2 April 1902, he served overseas on active service in South Africa during the South African War. By the time he had taken his final discharge from the British Army, on 4 May 1902, James had served a total of 1 year and 67 days, 'With the Colours'. At the time of taking his final discharge his service papers record his discharge being due to 'Discharged medically unfit for further service

The recipients service papers are extant & accessible at The National Archives

Condition: GVF

Code: 24526