Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (6643 Pte. A. Parsons, Wilts: Regt)

St. Helena / South Atlantic Service: Private Parsons served in St Helena 1900-1902, where his regiment 3rd (Militia) Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, was deployed as a garrison regiment and to provide security and guards at the Prisoner of War Camps in St. Helena that that been created to incarcerate Boer Prisoners of War who had been transported from South Africa

Medal and clasp verification: Private Albert Parsons 3rd (Militia) Battalion Wiltshire Regiment is verified as entitled to a QSA Medal (no clasp), per the respective medal roll (ref WO 100/197) that was compiled and signed at Deadwood Camp, St Helena on 27 July 1901

Albert Parsons was born in Wilton, Salisbury, Wiltshire, in, 1883. He attested for his local Militia unit, at, Devizes, Wiltshire, on 12 June 1901, at which time he claimed to be 17 years & 11 months of age, and employed by trade as a 'Labourer'. He was posted to the 3rd (Militia) Battalion Wiltshire Regiment. He was embodied for active service on, 20 June 1901, when he embarked for overseas deployment to St. Helena Colony in the South Atlantic, where he continued to serve through to 27 May 1902. On return to the United Kingdom, Albert continued his service in the Militia, until 28 August 1905, on which date he took his discharge by 'Purchase' (GBP 1). His charcter was described as 'Very Good'.

Albert Parsons extant service papers, held and accessible at the National Archives, have his address shown as:

10 Weavers Terrace
North Street
Wilton

During the period 1900-1902 about 6000 Boer Prisoners of War were incarcerated on St Helena, for which 2 x 'Militia' battalions of British Infantry were deployed to the island to guard the prisoners and serve as garrison troops. The 2 x British battalions present were; 3rd Battalion, the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire Regiment) (Royal Wiltshire Regiment of Militia) & 4th Battalion, the Gloucestershire Regiment (Royal North Gloucestershire Regiment of Militia). Only these 2 x 'Militia' battalions were subsequently awarded the rare Battle Honour 'St Helena' for their services, and 'All-Ranks' were awarded QSA Medals with no clasps

About 180 Boer Prisoners died of disease while in captivity in St. Helena, with 3 x POW's were executed for serious offences. There were at least 2 x attempts of escape made by the Boer POW's, one of which was foiled on the island, while the other saw an enterprising Boer get as far as Ascension Island, hidden in a wooden crate marked 'Boer Curios', but who was subsequently returned to captivity in St. Helena

Condition: About GVF

Code: 23038