QUEEN'S SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1902, no clasp, bronze issue (Chief Bathoen), engraved naming, suspender slightly bent, medal sometime cleaned, otherwise very fine and rare

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The AA Upfill-Brown Collection.

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The following extracts are taken from Colonel Plumer's 'Report on the operations of the Rodesia Regiment, British South Africa Police, and Southern Rhodesia Volunteers up to the Relief of Mafeking': 'The transport wagons originally allotted to the Force were merely sufficient for the conveyance of luggage and stores, and while at Tuli supplies were transported from Bulawayo by contract. On reaching Mochudi other wagons were purchased, and these were subsequently supplemented by wagons hired from the Native Chief, Bathoen. The latter conveyed supplies from the rail head to the advanced depot at Kanya, and the Government wagons from Kanya to the Force.
'Natives-At Tuli there were comparatively few natives and no tribe of any great importance. Some of Mpefu's men under Lieut. Trevor did scouting and intelligence work, but they were not very reliable. 'On the Western Border, Khama, Linchwe and Bathoen remained loyal throughout. Khama had a considerable force under arms ready to protect the borders of his own territories had the Boers attempted to invade them. His men, however, have no soldierly characteristics, and it is probable that if the Boers had attacked them they would have offered only a very feeble opposition. The same remarks apply to Bathoen's men. The Chief, Bathoen himself, however, did very good service in sending assistance to the troops in every way that lay in his power. This service will I hope receive due recognition. '