Lot 3229

Description

Queen's South Africa Medal 1899, (type 2 reverse with traces of ghost dates), - six clasps - Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast, South Africa 1901. 83 Pte E.C.Evans, Tasmanian. M.R. Impressed. The last clasp not attached and with black diagonal strip fitted to ribbon (to indicate killed), medal nicely toned extremely fine.

Murray records Evans' Regt No. as 88 but unit medal roll shows it as 83.

Ernest Chambers Evans 1st (Tasmanian) Contingent, son of the late Mr H.B.Evans, shipowner, of Launceston, and educated at Hutchins School. It was reported that he was always to the front of athletic pastimes and as a swimmer had few equals; contingent comprised 4 officers and 76 other ranks; Emb.27Oct1899; RTA 03Nov1900; Disemb.07Dec1900 at Tasmania; Disbanded 08Dec1900.

It was reported in the Examiner, Launceston, Tasmania on 27 August 1901 that Lieutenant Ernest C.Chambers had died. He was found dead at Klipptraap on August 16. It was assumed that he was sniped by rebels, the district being notorious for lawlessness.

The deceased officer arrived in the Boer war as a trooper with the Tasmanian Mounted Infantry under Colonel Cameron C.B., having left Tasmania with a draft of 45 men. He returned to Tasmania with the contingent and left again in March 1901 in the troopship Chicago for South Africa, and joined one of the regiments there, afterwards receiving a commission.

With research, a small b&w photo and unit medal roll.