| Date | Original Topic |
| 3rd January 2002 | Major W.Cross - Vetrinarian
By Phil Allcorn
A medal has been passed down to me "Regina Victoria" one side "South Afica" the other, the medal is in an envelope marked with Major W. Cross, 1879, South Africa, 2138, Life Guards Blue. The Guards were not in South Africa for the Zulu wars (as far as I have researched anyway). Can anyone shed any light on what the medal is, or who he was? |
| Date | Replies |
| 4th January 2002 | Ian Woodason
Phil,
Your description fits that of the South Africa War Medal 1877-8-9.
14 members of the Life Guards were entitled to the SA War Medal but none of them were called Cross.
A look at the medal roll does not show an entitlement for a Major W. Cross and I am a little concerned that there is a number given on the envelope - officers did not have numbers, so I wonder if it is an NCO?
If anyone has a post 1879 Army List to hand they may be able to identify him if he is an officer from that - I take it from your description that the medal itself is not named - it has no name engraved on the rim?
Why do you have 'Veterinarian' as a heading - was he a Veterinary Surgeon?
Ian Woodason
www.keynshamlighthorse.com - over 1000 memorials online to those who were inolved in the Anglo Zulu War of 1879
|
| 7th January 2002 | Peter Critchley
No Major W Cross found in the Army Lists (Regular Army) for period
1878-1900.
There is however a Surgeon Horatio Robert Oxo CROSS who served in the
Anglo-Zulu War. Commissioned as Surgeon (Lt.) on 4 Aug 1878. Received
Medal with clasp 1879 - which means he made to Zululand, after Isandhlwana
and Rorke's Drift. He was with Major Marter's Cavalry group which captured
King Cetewayo. Later served with 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards. Served
in the Boer War (1900) with the Mounted Infantry of the Natal Field Force -
so was probably with Maj Gen Sir William Penn Symons (late 24th). Retired
as Surgeon Lt. Col.
There is likely to be more information about him at the Public Record
Office at Kew.
|
| 7th January 2002 | Stephen McDonald
Phil, Ian and Peter
Could Cross have been made a 'brevet' major during this campaign? Or was this a later rank? |
| 7th January 2002 | Martin Everett
Dear Stephen,
Above is the reply I gave to Peter. I have a reasonable run of army lists and did trawl through the period 1878-1900. HRO Cross was the only officer who fitted your description. No W Cross in the regular army at all. During the Zulu War HRO Cross's rank was Surgeon which was equivalent to Lieutenant. 'Surgeon' is the rank shown on the South Africa medal roll. The medal could be a later replacement when he had reached the rank of Major. You would need to see whether this later fact has been added to the medal roll. I suggest you employ a researcher to get the fact from the PRO at Kew (see www. pro.gov.uk - click on 'reader services' for list of researchers). Regrettably, time does not premit us to do research on your behalf.
|
| 7th January 2002 | Ian Woodason
The grave of Surgeon HRO Cross is on the Keynsham Light Horse website - but the description you give, Phil, bar the surname, gives me no reason to think the medal was his.
URL for the HRO Cross page:
http://www.keynshamlighthorse.com/wbmedic/hrocross.html
Ian Woodason
www.keynshamlighthorse.com - over 1000 memorials to those involved in the Anglo Zulu War of 1879 - online.
Peter - I have his third name as 'Odo' - unless he was on the gravy train? saucy!- Ian
|
| 7th January 2002 | Martin Everett
I agree. We are probably looking at a 'W Cross' who served as a private soldier during the AZW. There are a number of officers name 'W Cross' who are listed later under militia and volunteers - so he might not of held a regular commission. But what is strange is that the Life Guards and Royal Horse Guards (The Blues) are two separate regiments. We really need to know accurately what is engraved on the rim of the medal if it is indeed a South Africa medal 1877-9. The best answer is for Phil t5o do his own resarch at the PRO at Kew - probably easier said than done in his case. |
| 11th January 2002 | John Young
Just to cloud the issue on this further, I have just pulled out the original paperwork that I have on Dr Horatio Robert Odo CROSS.
Peter, I going to correct the information given to you by Martin.
Dr. Cross served with the Mounted Infantry, of the Natal Field Force in the 1st Anglo-Boer War, 1880-81, not in the 2nd Anglo-Boer War.
Now here's where it gets cloudy, in the years 1895 and 1896 Dr. Cross was attached to the 1st Life Guards.
Just thought I'd muddy the waters.
John |
| 22nd January 2004 | Peter Henry Cross
I am researching the Cross family history and Horatio Robert Odo Cross was a distant relative - any information regarding his military service and/or other activities will be most gratefully received.
I appreciate it's some considerable time since this site was in use, but hope my message will be picked up. |
| 22nd January 2004 | Lee Stevenson
Service registers for medical officers are held by the Army Medical Services Museum, Keogh Barracks, Ash Vale, Aldershot.
email address: [email protected]
|
| 29th March 2004 | Vern
I have a South Africa medal bought at yard sale in San Jose, Calif. years ago. Clasp says 1879. Impressed rim says T/238 Sergt. J Brooks A S Corps. Is there a site where I might find a list of names who served in Africa? Any info on Brooks greatly appreciated. Someone please contact me via email. Would like to learn more and have a discussion. PLEASE!Vern |
| 29th March 2004 | John Young
Vern,
I thought I mentioned in another posting where to find such information. I take it you have done that?
John Y. |
| 29th March 2004 | Vern
John, please bear with me. I have a devil of a time making things work out right on the computer. I don't think I will ever get it right. So as to not embarras myself to much, would you please reply to [email protected].
Vern |
| 29th March 2004 | Lee Stevenson
T/238 Corporal J. Brooks, A.S.C. was posted to Natal with a detachment of about 40 men aboard the "Conway Castle" on 1st November 1878, under the command of Deputy Commissary Ramsey and Assistant Commissary AC Alderton
|
