A cool Miss South Africa image:
Miss Keyser, Capt. R. Gordon – can anyone shed any light on these names? The info below is supplied by David George who has written standard works on Boer War rifles.
Image by John Gulliver
silver dedication on captured Boer Mauser, I would appreciate any information on Capt. R. Roberts and Miss Keyser… Captain Roberts may have been an irregular. As is noted in my books, there are many, many cases of Boers spelling their names (and initials) with the letters "arse-about" face…a common fault, as many Boers were not fully literate.
My rifle:
There were 2 Boers with these exact initials who applied for their campaign medals (one chapter in my book deals with these ABO medals and many of the medal forms are also illustrated – the chapter also lists all British medals & clasps issued for the war).
Possible contenders are:
van Niekerk – Gerhardus Josea – Lydenburg Commando
van Niekerk – Gerhardus Jozua – Middelburg Commando
van Niekerk – Gerhardus Johannes W. – Wakkerstroom Commando (note a 3rd initial).
I will have a look at how many were POW’s,
GORDON, ROBERT, Captain, was born 22 December 1866, son of James Gordon, of Nunbank, Dumfries, and later of Townsville, Queensland, Australia, for many years Magistrate and Mining Commissioner at Townsville, Queensland. He was educated at the Brisbane Grammar School, and at the High School, Hobart, Tasmania; joined the Queensland Mounted Infantry, 1891; served in the Tirah Campaign, attached to the 1st Gordon Highlanders, 1897-98 (Despatches; Medal and two clasps); went to South Africa with 1st Queensland Contingent, and was transferred to the 1st Gordon Highlanders, 1900; given command of the Gordon Highlanders Mounted Infantry Company; in command till wounded 30 January 1901. He took part in the operations in Cape Colony, November 1899 to February 1900. Operations in Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including operations at Paardeberg (17 to 26 February), actions at Poplar Grove, Vet River (5 and 6 May) and Zand River. Operations in the Transvaal in May and June, 1900, including actions at Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill (11 and 12 June). Operations in Orange River Colony, July to 29 November 1900, including action at Wittebergen. Operations in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony 30 November 1900 to January 1901 (severely wounded). He was mentioned in Despatches; received the Queen’s Medal with six clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: "Robert Gordon, Captain, Queensland Mounted Infantry. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia, etc, were presented by the King 3 June, 1901. He retired from the 1st Contingent, Queensland Mounted Infantry, 5 October 1902; was transferred as Major from the Reserve of Officers to the Queensland Mounted Infantry, 10 December 1904; became Honourable Captain in the Army. At the outbreak of the European War he was sent to German East Africa on Special Service, resigning for this purpose from the command of the North Rhodesian Rifles. During the European War, 1914-18, he was appointed Intelligence Officer, in command of the North Rhodesian Scouts in German South-West Angolaland and on the borders of North Rhodesia. He pursued and captured a party of Germans who were endeavouring to break through German South-West to German East Africa. These Germans belonged to the Camel Corps in German South-West Africa, were mounted on camels, and had penetrated far into Angola. Lieutenant General Smuts, Minister of Defence in the South African Union, sent his congratulations through the Rhodesian Commandant-General on this capture. He went to British East Africa in February 1916, and commanded the Remount Landing Depot at Mombasa, and later No 1 Base Remount Depot, Maktau; commanded Remount Depot at Daressalaam, Kilwa, and Linde. Lieutenant Colonel Gordon was twice mentioned in Despatches; was given the OBE in 1918, and created a CMG in 1919.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book)
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