For sale is a Queens South Africa Medal with 4 clasps, CAPE COLONY, PAARDEBERG, DRIEFONTEIN, TRANSVAAL, named 3589 TPR E.T. CLARKE. KITCHENER’S HORSE. Court mounted for display they come with copies of medal rolls, newspaper articles, casualty roll extracts and research notes.
Ernest Taylor Clarke was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England in 1873. He was residing in South Africa when the Boer War occurred and served with Kitchener’s Horse as a Trooper from 9/2/1900 – 29/8/1900. He was taken prisoner of war at Waterval Drift on 15/2/1900.
On the 12/2/1900 a squadron of Kitchener's Horse was left at at Blaauwbosch Pan, about eight miles north-east of Dekiel's Drift, on the Riet, in order to protect the wells until the infantry, who were following, should arrive. Unfortunately, the infantry took a different course, and instead of them a large force of Boers turned up, who attacked the squadron and compelled their surrender after they had made a very creditable defence in a farmhouse for two days. It is unknown when he was released by the Boers.
He appears in the casualty lists dated 11/5/1900 as seriously ill with typhoid fever. He was medically discharged on 29/8/1900.
He appears on the rolls of the Provisional Transvaal Constabulary as serving with them from 14/6/1900 – 26/7/1900.
Trooper A. Clarke 3588 is on the same roll with the notation "medal issued to his brother". Based on the consecutive serial numbers it would appear that E.T. Clarke is his brother.
Provisional Mounted and Foot Police Force.
A limited number of men are required for enrolment in a Provisional Mounted and Foot Police Force for employment in the Pretoria District occupied by British Troops. Volunteers for this force are now called for from the Imperial Yeomanry and colonial Corps from all portions of the British Empire, which are now serving in South Africa. Engagements for the Force will be for 3 months, to be extended (with the man's consent) to six months, if found necessary later. Men joining this force will revert to their Corps if found unsuitable for police duties and also on completion of any limited engagement. Men enrolling in the Provisional Mtd. and Foot Police Force who are found suitable for police duties will have first claim to the appointments, in any permanent(sic) police force, which may be created in this state when the Country is settled, appointments carrying non-commissioned d rank will be reserved for those members of the Provisional Mounted and Foot Police Force who may possess the necessary educational qualification.
Pay etc.- Men volunteering for this force from the Imperial Yeomanry and Colonial Corps will bring with them their uniform, arms and equipment in the case of mounted men saddlery included.
A Government horse will be provided by the State, for each mounted man. Consolidated pay will be issued, which will include. Regimental pay at present rates, and allowance in lieu of free rations and forage.
Officers commanding Imperial Yeomanry and Colonial Corps are requested to call for Volunteers for the Provisional Mounted and Foot Police Force from their own corps and will forward a list of the officers, N.C. Officers and men offering their services whom they can thoroughly recommend, to the Military Governor Pretoria, to reach him as soon as possible.
Owing to the nature of the duties that the Provisional Mounted and Foot Police Force will be called upon to perform only the most reliable and steady N.C. Officers and men should be recommended for appointment.
N.B. Candidates from the African Corps will find a knowledge of the Dutch language a great advantage, but this knowledge is not compulsory.
In cases where men have a knowledge of Dutch, Officers Commanding will record the fact when forwarding their recommendations.
By Order
(sgd.) W. Kelly, M. General
D.A. General.
