Zulu War Medal 2nd Lieut J S WILLETT 1st Dragoon Guards Clasp ?

Posts : 7 Join date : 2011-07-01

Hello all, I've had this medal some time and it came without a Clasp, and appears it was awarded like that. Some oddments
of paperwork came with it including " A nominal roll of officers who received one Bar 1879 " with list of 24 officers and 7 attached officers under Lt Colonel H Alexander and includes in the first group of 24 2nd Lt Willett. Other copy papers show him as Major at old comrades dinners in May 1930 and december 1934. A nominal Roll officers dated 1912 shows his service 1878 to 1886 and gives medal South Africa 1879 and rank Captain, and names of those dining 22nd June 1912 also has him as Captain. There is a letter from Regimental Museum 1st Dragoon Guards Cardiff Castle dated 2003 saying they may have a photo of him but all records were in storage due to Cardiff Castles 15 year project plan (I must follow that up and see if its available now ? ) I feel a bit cheeky asking questions again so soon after all the help I was given on another SA Officers medal as I'm very new to the forum, but here goes ! and very many thanks in advance.Wanting to know if he is officially listed as having the 1879 Clasp to the medal as there is nothing on the list of officers that shows were it came from or is accurate.

Subject: 2nd Lt. J.S. Willet Sun Jul 10, 2011 12:13 pm

Hi Johnscliffe.
According to the roll he was indeed the recipient of the medal but not entitled to a clasp .
cheers 90th. Idea

Posts : 3362 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

John Saltren Willett

He embarked in June, and joined the Regiment at Utrecht.

Date of Birth - 2nd July 1859
First Appointment - 2nd Lieutenant - 24th Foot - 11th May 1878
2nd Lieutenant - 1st Dragoons - 25th May 1878
2nd Lieutenant - 1st Dragoon Guards - 22nd March 1879
Lieutenant - 1st Dragoon Guards - 2nd February 1881
Captain - 1st Dragoon Guards - 15th June 1887

South African War - 1879 - Zulu Campaign. Employed in Natal. Medal. (No Clasp)

Posts : 3362 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi Johnscliffe

Very interesting

I have had a look in the 1888 Hart's Army List and found the following
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It states Medal with Clasp scratch

Posts : 7 Join date : 2011-07-01

Really appreciate the replies, strange that no Clasp on the roll , nor the Medal, yet Harts List says 1879 Clasp , and the list of officers I have , that I dont know source of , gives a 1879 Clasp. Nice to have his full name and very interesting he was with the 24th for a short time..Best regards to all.. Michael

Medal back on sale on ebay.
Looks like a nice medal.
What is the verdict: entitled to 1879 clasp or not?
Given that the 1st Drgns arrived only in April 1879, I would say no.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ZULU-WAR-MEDAL-MAJOR-24TH-FOOT-1ST-DRAGOONS-BURIED-DURNFORD-ISANDLWANA-/221154642603?pt=UK_Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item337dd80aab

Posts : 3458 Join date : 2021-01-04

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Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Saturday 20 July 1940

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Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Saturday 27 July 1940

» 1st Dragoon Guards medal help please
» Zulu war medal - clasp 1879
» South African Zulu War Medal, clasp “1879”. 2555 PTE. J. MORRISSEY 2/4TH FOOT