A letter from Major Frank Bourne to General Sir Ian Hamilton. 

Can anyone confirm if he was successfull! Was he referring to Money or Medal or other.

"27th July 1911. From Maj Frank Bourne, a former Quartermaster at the School of Musketry at Hythe, Kent, a former Colour Sergeant of The South Wales Borderers, and veteran of the battle of Rorke's Drift, Zulu War, Jan 1879, requesting Hamilton to assist his petition for a distinguished service reward for past military service"

Littlehand

I can only think that Frank Bourne thought that he should have received a Long Service & Good Conduct Medal which attracted additional pension.  He was commissioned as Quartermaster after 17 years 155 days service - the qualifying period for the LS&GC in those days was 18 years in the ranks.  Frank Bourne already had the immediate benefit of £10 pa pension since 1879 for his Distinguished Conduct Medal (same as holders of the VC).  Normally, the DCM pension would only become payable on retirement from the army, Bourne was a special case as a result of his actions at Rorke's Drift.

The pension for LS&GC in 1875 was £5 pa - the medal could be awarded with or without a pension depending on the character of the recipient.

LH / Kenny found this.

"Following the Zulu Wars C/Sgt F Bourne was offered a commission but didn't accept it due to lack of
funds. Or so the story goes.

Then later he was of to Burma and promoted QM Sergeant in 1884

Finally accepting a commission in 1890.

Adjutant at the School of Musketry in 1893.

Retiring from the army in 1907 only to join up again at the outbreak of World War 1 and served in
Dublin.

Once the war was over he was given the Honoury rank of Lt/Col and also was awarded the OBE

Living to the ripe old age of 91 and being the last survivor of Rorkes Drift.



Article Source /EzineArticles

HYTHE SCHOOL OF MUSKETRY.
Bourne was Adjutant at the School of Musketry in 1893


HC Deb 06 March 1893 vol 9 cc1084-5 1084

MR. LABOUCHERE I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether an inquiry has been held at Hythe into the management of the School of Musketry there; whether the Adjutant filled the offices of Paymaster, and Quartermaster, and President of the Sergeants' Mess; whether it appeared in the inquiry that considerable profit was derived from the supply of pork, vegetables, and groceries to the Sergeants' Mess by the Adjutant; whether, if so, these profits have been accounted for; and whether, if not, any further action is to be taken in the matter; and whether, at this inquiry, the accounts of ammunition supplied by the Quartermaster for the private use of officers and sergeants were investigated, and with what result?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN An inquiry has been held at Hythe into certain irregularities which have occurred at the School of Musketry. It appeared from the inquiry that the Quartermaster had been allowed, contrary to Regulations, to manage the Sergeants' Mess. It was not proved that he made a profit; but the whole proceedings were most irregular, and there was laxity in the way the accounts of the mess and those for ammunition issued on repayment were kept. In consequence of this, the Commandant had been censured; the Quartermaster is to be removed; and the School of Musketry, which has hitherto been independent of any District Command, has been placed, as regards discipline, under the direct supervision of 1085 the General Officer Commanding the South-Eastern District.

24th

Your posting above refers to Bourne's predecessor - Bourne was appointed Quartermaster/Adjutant at Hythe from 1 May 1893.

Thanks Kenny. I didn't think Bourne was the type.