Which Regiments Served?

[Mark]

Can anyone tell me which British line-regiments (infantry and cavalry) served in these early South African campaigns and were entitled to the South Africa 1853 Medal?

Thanks in advance.

Mark

[kaiser]

Hi Mark for the Cav there's the 7th DG 12th Lancers, infantry 2nd, 6th, 12th, 27th, 43rd, 45th, 60th, 72nd, 73th, 74th, 75th, 90th, 91st, and the 1st Rifle birgade

Andrew

[Mark]

Cheers Andrew, I am sure I can find a regiment of interest out of that lot for an example of a medal to the campaign.

Mark

[kaiser]

Why not go for the navy the example in my collection is my Baby i love that medal and the sotry that went with it

[DavidB]

Following on from Andrew's info Mark,
the medal was awarded for 3 separate wars: 1834-35, 1846-47 and 1850-53
Royal Artillery and Engineers are represented in each war, together with Staff, Commissariat and Medical

1834-5:
27th , 72nd, 75th Regt

1846-7:
7th DG, 6th, 27th, 45th, 73rd, 90th, 91st, 1/Rifle Brigade, Cape Mounted Riflemen

1850-53:
12th Lancers, 2nd, 6th, 12th, 43rd, 45th, 60th, 73rd, 74th, 91st, 1 Rifle Brigade, Cape Mounted Riflemen
also bluejackets and marines from HMS Castor, Dee, Hermes, Rhadamanthus & Styx

[Mark]

David

Thanks for the breakdown, that is extremley useful! I know very little about these campaigns but intend to acquire an example medal to one of them. Your list will help me pinpoint which particular campaigh the recipient served.

Mark

[Brett Hendey]

Mark

The following book is a very useful account of the wars, the roles played by the regiments, and the medal rolls:

Everson, G R. 1978. The South Africa 1853 Medal. Being the Roll of the recipients and the story of the campaign medal issued for the frontier wars between 1834 and 1853.
London: Samson Books Ltd.

Regards
Brett

[Mark]

Thanks Brett, sounds like a book worth investing in.

Mark