I expect you are right about something intervening to prevent him going to SA. The letter is dated March 1st 1900 from Maritzburg, and is commenting on news from another letter sent out to her from her sister in GB, therefore the actual Siege Train event would have been well before 1st March, you would have thought. Perhaps they had spotted his potential and didn't want to sacrifice him on a siege train?
Congratulations on the medal group - a very interesting one indeed.
I will PM you about the wedding report
Jo
