HMS Doris - Boer War

[rj.hoare]

I realise the Boer War was a tad bit earlier than WW1, but can anyone advise me as to how I should check on the service records of a chap who was given the QSA - a B Mead, who was a Stoker. I understand the ship's crew of HMS Doris were also used at some point with the RMLI, which is why I suppose he was awarded a QSA?

[joseph]

GD,

Not sure what HMS Doris did but she was on the list for the QSA

Admiralty, 7th. March. 1904

Notice is hereby given that the medals for the operations in South Africa between 9th March, 1901, and 31st May, 1902, are now ready for issue to the Officers and Men of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines entitled thereto.

The following are the terms of the grant : The Queen's South African Medal, without clasp, will be granted to all Officers, Seamen, and Marines, belonging to the undermentioned ships, who were either landed for duty or were serving on board during the periods stated, and who have not already received a medal for service in South Africa rendered prior to 9th March, 1901.

HMS Doris Period for which entitled 9th March, 1901, to 15th April,

1901.

As far as Im aware if he served ashore he would be awarded a named clasp, Im sure someone will know.

Regards Charles

[spithead]

I realise the Boer War was a tad bit earlier than WW1, but can anyone advise me as to how I should check on the service records of a chap who was given the QSA - a B Mead, who was a Stoker. I understand the ship's crew of HMS Doris were also used at some point with the RMLI, which is why I suppose he was awarded a QSA?

Hello qwan-dai

Stoker B. Mead 174.207 H.M.S. Doris was awarded a no-bar QSA medal for the campaign. His service sheet is on the National Archive website, and can be downloaded for £3.50.

See here

B.Mead

Regards

John

[sotonmate]

quan-dai

See:

http://www.btinternet.com/~philipr/Navbrig.htm

for an article about the Doris.

Best wishes

Sotonmate

[per ardua per mare per terram]

According to Fevyer and Wilson's medal roll for the QSA to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, 3 stokers (out of 5 to the ship) from HMS Doris qualified for 8 clasp medals and 18 (out of 33 naval recipients) of the crew qualified for the KSA. A no bar medal suggests that he didn't serve ashore.

During the Victorian/ Edwardian era the Navy regularly contributed naval brigades where crews and marines were involved in the land fighting (all the naval VCs of the time were earned ashore). As well as serving as infantry the naval contingents provided machine gun units and artillery. In the Boer War the army pea shooters were out ranged by the Boer artillery, so 4.7inch naval guns were taken off ships, put on land carriages and fought particularly on the Relief of Ladysmith - they were of a larger caliber than anything the BEF had in 1914! With the Great War the RND could be seen as the ultimate naval brigade.

[per ardua per mare per terram]

To verify his entiltlement the original medal roll is on microfilm at Kew ADM 171/54.

[HERITAGE PLUS]

This may be of interest.

http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Devon/PlymouthHMSDoris.html

Davd