Newbie needs help re medals

[Luchardan]

Hi
Have recently started researching my family tree and could do with some advice on where to look for info on my Great Grandfathers military service.
I have come across 2 medals that were his with the details as follows

DREIFONTEIN PAARDEBERG CAPE COLONY South Africa
64590 GN.W.BARNES 15th Coy S D R G A

CHINA 1900  64590 GR W BARNES
No 61 or G1 Co R G A
ARMIS EXPOSUERE PACEM

I can't find any trace of him on the 1891 census either.

Can any kind person point me in the right direction?Any advise would be gratefully received.

Thanks very much

Sarah

[harribobs]

the first one is the Queens South Africa ( QSA) with the three clasps of DREIFONTEIN PAARDEBERG CAPE COLONY, awarded to Gunner (GN) W, Barnes, service number 64590 of 15th Company ( Coy) of Royal Garrison Artillery

the second is the China medal awarded to the same man,

Neil would probably know more about these two medals than me, but in the mean time you can look at this section on the manchesters site for an explanation of the clasps on the QSA

http://www../QSA%20clasps.htm

[neil1821]

Hi Sarah and welcome! 

That's a nice pair of medals to your g-grandfather.
As Chris says, the first is the Queens South Africa medal for service in the Boer War. His rank was Gunner, and his unit was 15th (ST) Coy, SD, RGA which is the 15th (Siege Train) Company, Southern Division, Royal Garrison Artillery.

The medal roll (which is the official listing of all those who received the medal) confirms he is entitled to the 3 clasps. It also provides the comment "discharged from No.1 depot, Southern Divn, RGA. Sent home for discharge"

There's plenty of background reading you can do about the Boer War, and the battles of Paardeberg & Driefontein in particular, at this site:
http://www.angloboerwar.com/

The second medal is that for China 1900, for service during what is usually known as The Boxer Rebellion. No clasps on this medal?
It would seem that he served in South Africa, was discharged then reassigned to another Company for service in China.

[the normal term for an artillery unit is a Battery, but in the RGA the term Company is used instead].

Neil

[Luchardan]

Thanks very much to you both!!

That's very interesting and very useful.

The China medal has no clasps just the actual medal.

Any ideas why he would have been discharged?

Once again thanks very much for the info and advice.

Sarah

[harribobs]

i would guess that he'd finished his term of service

[neil1821]

You may be interested in this page about another RGA man.
Some useful background.
http://www.thrale.com/history/english/thomas_william_thrale_military_service.php

You should also be able to find his service record at Kew.
Here's a guide from the Royal Artillery museum (also a good site)
http://www.firepower.org.uk/records_up_to_ww1.php

Neil

[Luchardan]

Once again thanks both!!

The links provided make interesting reading.

I think I may need to do a trip to Kew some day - bit difficult at the moment as I'm living overseas.Thanks to your help though I feel I have gained more of an insight into my G Grandfathers life.

Sarah