English: An incomplete silver Queen's South Africa medal dating c. AD 1899-1902, awarded to Private Henry Albert Forsdyke of the 6th Company Eastern Division, Royal Garrison Artillery, for his service during the Anglo- Boer war. The QSA was the medal issued to all who served in South Africa up to the end of the war in May 1902.

The medal is circular in shape, with a straight suspender attached via a claw mount which is connected to three clasps at the top. Those are inscribed with the words Wittebergen, Transvaal and Cape Colony, indicating service in a particular campaign or battle. The fabric ribbon is missing. On the edge of the medal there is an engraved inscription detailing the service number, name of the recipient, the company number and regiment: 27444 GNR : H. A. Forsdyke, 6th E.D. R.G.A.

Obverse: Crowned, veiled portrait of Queen Victoria facing left. Encircling the medal is the legend: VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX.

Reverse: Figure of Britannia holding a flag in her left hand and a wreath in the other; trident and shield bearing the Union Flag behind her. In the background, ships of the Royal Navy and soldiers marching into battle. Above Britannia are the words 'SOUTH AFRICA'.

Dimensions: diameter of the medal 36mm, total length 71.5mm, width 38.15mm, weight 38.40g.

Discussion: Henry Albert Forsdyke was born in Wapping, London, in the first quarter (January - March) of 1876. On 4th July 1894 he enlisted in Militia's 3rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment, where he served until April 1898 when he was recruited by the 6th Company Eastern Division, Royal Garrison Artillery. According to his enlistment document, Henry was 126 lbs. in weight, 5 feet and 6 inches tall, had 'grey' eyes and an anchor and dots tattoo on his left forearm. His Statement of Service record shows that he was discharged in April 1910, after serving with the 6th, 103rd, 25th, 56th, and 33rd Companies.