Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps : Private E J Messenger, 2nd Australian Commonwealth Horse

Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps 'SOUTH AFRICA 1902' and 'TRANSVAAL' and impressed around the edge wth recipient's details.

Associated with the service of 1120 Private Ernest John Messenger during the Boer War. Born in Adelaide in July 1881, Messenger embarked from Fremantle, WA on 26 February 1902 with the 2nd Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse, arriving in Durban, South Africa on 14 March. He served in South Africa for almost four months before departing Durban for Australia on 5 July. Soon after arriving back in Australia on 25 July, the unit was disbanded.

On 14 August 1914, Messenger was working as a horse driver and living at South Street, South Fremantle, WA when he enlisted in the AIF. On 2 November 462 Driver Messenger embarked aboard HMAT Ascanius at Fremantle with reinforcements to the 11th Battalion.

He saw service on Gallipoli, but was troubled by rheumatism and after suffering badly from dysentery, with extended periods in hospital, he was too weakened to continue his military service. Messenger returned to Australia and was discharged in January 1916.

In April 1917, he enlisted in the Citizen Military Forces (CMF) and served with the No 5 District Guard. Messenger's son, Able Seaman Ernest George Messenger served aboard HMAS Australia during the Second World War.

• 1914-15 Star : Driver E J Messenger, 11th Battalion, AIF
• British War Medal 1914-20 : Driver E J Messenger, 11th Battalion, AIF
• Victory Medal : Driver E J Messenger, 11th Battalion, AIF