Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Cape Colony (J. Mc D. Thomson, E.R.A. 1Cl. H.M.S. Beagle.) good very fine £180-£220

Medal roll confirms medal without clasp. 139 medals issued to this ship.

John McDonald Thomson was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on 11 October 1866, and joined the Royal Navy as an Acting Engine Room Artificer 4th Class on 11 April 1889, a boilermaker by trade. He had advanced to E.R.A. 1st Class by the time he joined H.M.S. Beagle on 21 May 1901, and served aboard this ship until he was ‘Discharged Dead 16.2.1902 at Cape Hospital.’ Sold with copied record of service and South African War Graves Board letter confirming his death at the Royal Naval Hospital at Simon’s Town and his burial in the cemetery there.