PRE WW1 BOER WAR MEDALS 3763 CORPORAL A. BAKER (ALIAS REITZE) 18TH HUSSARS BR[TISH ARMY

Offered is a Boer War campaign medal to Albert Reitze, who served with the 18th Hussars under the assumed name of Albert Baker.

Queens South Africa Medal (1899 – 1902), with 4 clasps CAPE COLONY, PAARDERBERG, DRIFONTEIN, JOHANNESBURG, period engraved 3762. Corpl. A. BAKER. 18/Hrs.; Kings South Africa Medal (1902), with 2 clasps SOUTH AFRICA 1901, SOUTH AFRICA 1902, impressed named 3763 CORPL. J. BAKER 18^TH HUSSARS. Comes with copies service record, medal rolls, 1881 & 1891 census, birth record extract and extract 18^th Hussars in South Africa roll.

Albert Adam Reitze was born in May 1873 in Camberwell, London, his father a baker by trade, was born in Hadamar, Germany. His mother was a Londoner. The 1881 census records them living in Tower Hamlets, the 1891 census records Albert working as a baker.

He enlisted into the 18^th Hussars 15/8/1891 under the name of Albert Baker in London (service number 3763). He served home stations 15/8/1891 – 28/9/1893. India 29/9/1893 – 14/10/1898. South Africa 15/10/1898 – 12/6/1899. To the Army Reserve 13/6/1899.

Promoted Lance Corporal 10/3/1894. Corporal 10/2/97. Acting Sergeant 8/3/98, reverted to Corporal 11/5/1898. Home 13/6/1899 – 27/12/1899. Recalled 20/12/1899, from the reserve for the Boer War. South Africa 28/12/1899 – 5/8/1900. Home 6/8/1900 – 14/8/1903 (discharged).

It would appear that after leaving the Army he reverted to his original surname of Reitze. This appears frequently on crew lists as a cook and it is possible that he is the same 'A Reitze' who later emigrated to America.

The Regimental history 18^th Hussars in South Africa 1899 – 1902 is available free on the internet.

Corporal Baker is listed in the book under N.C.O.s and men who joined the Regiment from other Departments. (This would tie in with being recalled).