PRIVATE R. WILLIAMSON, 74TH (DUBLIN) AND 110TH (NORTHUMBERLAND) COMPANIES, IMPERIAL YEOMAN

PRIVATE R. WILLIAMSON, 74TH (DUBLIN) AND 110TH (NORTHUMBERLAND) COMPANIES, IMPERIAL YEOMANRY (LATE 65TH LEICESTERSHIRE COMPANY, IMPERIAL YEOMANRY). A duplicate issue of Queen’s South Africa Medals to the same man. QSA, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, officially impressed (32049 Trooper, 74th Company Imperial Yeomanry) QSA, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902, officially impressed (32049 Private, 110th Company Imperial Yeomanry). Generally Extremely Fine, attractive matching toning.

Medals accompanied by 6 pages of photocopied Attestation and Discharge papers and copied extracts from medal rolls (original and published) for the 74th and 110th Companies Imperial Yeomanry, confirming medals and clasps, and that Williamson was issued two QSA Medals.

Richard Williamson, born Thringston, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, enlisted into the 65th Company Imperial Yeomanry at Leicester on 5/3/1901. Williamson was 27 years of age at the eime of enlistment and gave his trade as fireman.

Williamson must have transferred to the 74th (Dublin) Company Imperial Yeomanry shortly before or just after landing in South Africa, since he does not appear on the medal roll for the 65th Company. Medal Rolls confirm service initially with the 74th (Dublin) and subsequently with the 110th (Northumberland) Company Imperial Yeomanry.The medal roll for the 74th Company confirms medal with 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal (as issued), and that Williamson transferred to the 110th Company Imperial Yeomanry in June 1901. Medal roll for the 110th Company confirms QSA with 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, SA01 and SA02 (as issued). Williamson was obviously issued two medals off two separate rolls. Discharge papers confirm that Williamson transferred from the 110th Company to the 1st Provisional Battalion, and was then discharged on 17/9/1902.

Service papers confirm service in South Africa from 23/3/1901 to 5/9/1902, and give next of kin as his mother, Mrs Phyllis Williamson, 11 Wilfrid Place, Ashby de la Zouch.

The 1st Provisional Battalion was stationed at Shorncliffe in 1902, and Williamson would have been transferred to it in order to facilitate his discharge.