Queens South Africa Medal 1899-1902. Silver issue with clasp 'Cape Colony', 'Orange Free State' & 'Belfast' (8312 Pte. A. Abbott. Gren: Gds:)

The 3 x clasps with matching official rivets, have been latterly added to the medal (and not entitled to either the Orange Free State or Belfast clasps). Presumably he recipient lost or never received his actual clasp entitlement, and latterly (after migrating to Canada) sourced & added the clasps currently shown on the medal 

Medal & Clasp(s) Verification: The recipient 8312 Private Alfred Abbott, 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards, is confirmed as being entitled to the medal with 2 x clasps 'Cape Colony' & 'South Africa 1902', per below referenced medal roll:

- QSA Medal. CC & SA 1902 clasps: WO 100/163 the medal roll compiled and dated Aldershot, 1 December 1902

Alfred Abbott, eldest son of Frederick Abbott (a 'Bootmaker') & Maria Abbott (nee Umney, who was a 'Lacemaker'), was a native of. Wollaston, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, England, where he was born on, 11 March 1877. Alfred was a 'Clicker' by trade, and was 22 years of age, when he enlisted in the British Army at Wellingborough, England, on,  10 October 1899, on a 'Short Service' engagement for 'Three Years Service With The Colours' and 9 x years on the reserve. At time of enlistment Alfred was a serving member of the 3rd (Militia) Battalion Northampton Regiment. Alfred specifically requested to be posted to the Grenadier Guards, and his subsequent record of military service was:  

- Home Service: 10/10/1899 - 15/01/1902
- South Africa: 16/01/1902 - 06/10/1902
- Home Service: 07/10/1902 - 09/10/1911

Alfred was not the only member of his family to serve with the Grenadier Guards. His younger brother Harry Abbott (born 1879) was a long serving professional soldier, who served with 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards as No. 6622, I both the South African War and later through the Great War in which latter he was 'Wounded-in-Action', while holding the rank of Sergeant

Prior to the Great War, Alfred Abbott migrated to Canada, where he worked as a Farmer, Bricklayer and Machinist. He eventually settled and later died at Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on 14 April 1958. His Canadian days are summarised below:

Quote,

ALFRED ABBOTT by Bill Abbott 

Alfred Abbott immigrated to Canada from England in 1905. He settled on a homestead near Vermilion. The winter of 1906-7 was so severe that he decided to go farther south. He moved to Hanna, Alberta on a half section of land. Five years later Mr. Abbott returned to England. 

In 1914 he was united in marriage to Annie Neal. The couple came to Canada, stayed one winter in Calgary, then settled on a quarter near Mulloy Lake. To this union four boys were born - Fred, Bill, Ted and George. Bill and family, also George still live on the home place. Fred, wife and family reside on what we call the Elteringham place. Ted, wife and family are on the Geo. Woodbridge place. They also had two girls, Bessie and Dorothy. Both of them live in Edmonton. 

Mr. Abbott served in the Boer War for three years prior to his emigration to Canada. Mr. Abbott passed away in 1958, and Mrs. Abbott in 1947. They were a very hard working couple, and were missed by their friends and neighbours. 

Unquote.

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

Condition: GVF

Code: 25610