Description
Queen’s South Africa Medal, type 3, clasps “CAPE COLONY” & “ORANGE FREE STATE”, impressed “242 TPR. D.A. JENNINGS. SOUTH AUS. I.B.”.
A fine Queen’s South Africa Medal with two clasps and a scarcer example issued to the South Australian bushmen. A nice digital wedding photograph as well. The medal seen modest wear, basically good Very Fine, reverse better.
David Absolom Jennings, born on the 22nd August 1879 (as listed) or 1885 (as he suggested being 16 years old at attestation) in Port Adelaide, Victoria, was the son of Mr Daniel Jennings and Mrs Emma Jennings (nee Brown) and brother to approximately 12 siblings, and listed as a butcher by trade. Jennings attested for the South Australian military forces on Monday the 28th January 1901 for service in South Africa, enlisting as Trooper 242 of the No. 1 Troop, ‘C’ Squadron, Fifth South Australian Imperial Contingent/Bushmen (per S.A. ‘Evening Journal’ Wed. 6 February 1901 p. 2).
The ‘C’ Squadron was commanded by Captain Hipwell with five Lieutenant subalterns, and had a strength of approximately 120 men split into 4 troops.
- Embarked at Port Adelaide 9th February 1901 aboard Troopship ‘Ormazan’ (ship contracted from Messrs. Burt & Co of Sydney)
- The departure is described as a splendid send-off “cheered by as large a crowd as had witnessed the departure of any of the other previous contingents from this state” – of note, the fifth were cheered on as the first contingent of troops to accept service under the recently crowned King Edward VII (per ‘South Australian Register’ Mon. 11 February 1901 p. 6).
- Disembarked Port Elizabeth 23rd March 1901
- Returned to Australia with the rest of the contingent on the 27th March 1902, embarking at Cape Town aboard transport ship ‘Manchester Merchant’
- Disembarked at Port Adeliade 27th April 1902
Following his military service, David A. Jennings married Hilda May Howe on the 22nd August 1905 at the Baptist Church, Gawler, South Australia (see photo, courtesy of S.A. State Library), and they had four children. He later passed away in 1959.