The medal is in a very good condition with the original ribbon no documentation comes with the medal. Name impressed on edge 129 DVR: (Dr) A.W. MEYER. NATAL F. ARTY (Natal Field Artillery). No documentation provided.
At the onset of the Boer War the NFA was commanded by Captain Daniel Taylor with a unit strength 123 men and 6 x 2.5 guns, based at Ladysmith.
Description History
The obverse of this medal has the crowned bust of Queen Victoria with the inscription 'VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX'. There were three reverses to the QSA but all three had many similarities. All have the figure of Britannia facing right with her hand stretched out holding a wreath. Behind her is her shield bearing the Union Flag and in the background can be seen the ships of the Royal Navy and soldiers marching into battle. Above Britannia are the words 'SOUTH AFRICA'. This is a third type and has no dates. For the first two types, the wreath on the reverse points to the 'R' in the word Africa. For the third type, the wreath points to the letter 'F' in the word Africa.
The QSA and its clasps were authorized in Army Order 94 of April 1901. The preamble set the scope for the medal:
1. His Majesty, the King, has been graciously pleased to confirm the order given by her late Majesty Queen Victoria that a Medal be struck to commemorate the military operations in South Africa.
2. The Medal in silver, will, provided the claims are approved by the Commander-in-Chief, be granted to all officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the British, Indian, and Colonial Forces, and to all nurses and nursing sisters who actually served in South Africa between October 11th, 1899 and a date to be hereafter fixed; to all troops stationed in Cape Colony and Natal at the outbreak of hostilities; and to troops stationed in St Helena between April 14th, 1900, and a date to be hereafter fixed.
