Boer War
The page describing the life of Alfred Hooper includes details of his service in the Boer War. Alfred was one of several of our relatives who served in the Boer War, listed below.
The Boer War was fought in South Africa for nearly three years between October 1899 and May 1902. It was a conflict between the local Boers (farmers) and Britain, triggered by a struggle over control of gold and diamond mines. Initially the British forces were outnumbered and outfought by the well armed Boers, which led to a number of sieges, notably Ladysmith, Kimberley, and Mafeking. After the British increased their numbers to nearly 400,000 soldiers, the Boers reverted to guerrilla warfare of surprise attacks and quick escapes before they were defeated in 1902.
There were three medals available to those who took part,
the Queen's South Africa medal, awarded with clasps naming the places and battles where the recipient served.
the King's South Africa medal awarded to those served in the later more demanding phases of the war.
the Queen's Mediterranean medal which looked similar to the South Africa medal, and was awarded to territorial soldiers who guarded garrisons in the Mediterranean (Cyprus, Malta, Gibraltar, Egypt) as replacements for regular soldiers who had been on garrison duty but were sent to South Africa.
Alfred Hooper
Driver, 62nd and 78th Battery Royal Field Artillery
Dad's uncle.
Arrived in South Africa on 26 September 1899 aged 20, and left on 1st January 1904.
Queen's South Africa medal with four clasps, Modder River, Paardeberg, Driefontein, and Johannesburg.
King's South Africa medal with 1901 and 1902 clasps.
William David Dugay
Sergeant, Royal West Kent Regiment
Brother of our great grandmother Kate Dugay,
Arrived Malta garrison on 4 January 1900 aged 34, and left on 9 June 1901.
Queen's Mediterranean Medal.
Walter Jacob Saunders
Sapper, 47th Company Royal Engineers
Our second cousin from the Isle of Wight. (His grandmother was a Harris).
Arrived in South Africa on 15 January 1900 aged 20, and left on 10 February 1905.
Queen's South Africa medal with three clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, and Transvaal.
King's South Africa medal with 1901 and 1902 clasps.
Robert William Turp
Company Sergeant Major, Army Service Corps
Father in law of our aunt Ada Doris Osborne (who was killed by a bomb in Portchester).
Arrived in South Africa on 16 September 1899 aged 30, and left on 14 October 1902.
Queen's South Africa medal with one clasp, Orange Free State.
King's South Africa medal with 1901 and 1902 clasps.
George Webb
Sergeant, 1st Royal Dragoons
Father of Uncle Les (Leslie Charles Webb).
Arrived in South Africa on 31 October 1899 aged 26, and left on 10 October 1902.
Queen's South Africa medal with six clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, and Laing's Nek.
King's South Africa medal with 1901 and 1902 clasps.
