Queen's South Africa Medal. Silver issue with 3 x clasps 'Cape Colony', 'Paardeberg' & 'Driefontein' (2818 Pte W. C. Herbert, 2nd Shropshire L: Infy.)

Hong Kong Colony Service: The recipient is confirmed to have served in Hong Kong Colony 1893-1895 including the period of the Bubonic Plague in 1894

Note: Not all members of 2/SLI serving in Hong Kong Colony during the period of the Bubonic Plague served and received a Hong Kong Plague Medal - and there is no extant medal roll or listing of the men who received a medal. Whether Private William Caffery Herbert was one of the recipients of the Hong Kong Plague Medal is not currently known. What is known - beyond any doubt - that Private William Caffery Herbery was serving in Hong Kong throughout the period of the bubonic plague in Hong Kong.......

Medal & Clasps Verification: Private Herbert 2nd Battalion Shropshire Light Infantry is confirmed being awarded the QSA & 3 clasps as his full entitlement for the South African War per the below referenced medal roll:

- QSA Medal with 3 x clasps: WO 100/204 dated Pretoria, South Africa, 12 October 1901

The later medal roll entry, compiled in 1903, shows the recipient with remark 'Time Expired to England' 12 November 1901. Whether the recipient ever received the loose dated clasp is not known, the medal on offer being exactly as originally issued

William Caffery Herbert, eldest son of William Herbet (a 'Cordwainer' who in 1888, as the notified next of kin, resided at, 4 Alliance Street, Tillington, Staffordshire, England) & Margaret Herbert (nee Caffery, who was born in Ireland), was a native of, Dunston near Stafford, Staffordshire, England, where he was born circa 1869. William was 18 years and 11 months of age, when he attested for the British Army, on, 12 June 1888, on which date he was posted to the Regimental Depot of the King's Own Shropshire Light Infantry at Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England. After completion of his basic training, William was posted to the 2nd Battalion KSLI on, subsequently transferring to 1st Battalion KSLI. William served a total of 13 years with the British Army. By the time he took his discharge from the British Army on 11 June 1901, his record of service was:

- Home: 12/06/1888 - 05/11/1891
- Egypt: 06/11/1891 - 28/11/1891
- Hong Kong: 29/11/1891 - 05/01/1895
- Home: 06/01/1895 - 06/11/1899
- South Africa: 07/11/1899 - 26/08/1900
- Home: 27/08/1900 - 11/06/1901

The recipients service paper include the remark that he was a 'Skilled Carpenter'

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

The medal with bright crisp toning and of uncommonly exceptional condition and appearance

Condition: About EF

Code: 25456