Queen's South Africa Medal : Warrant Officer T F Coleman, NSW Citizens Bushmen Contingent

Places
Accession Number OL00550.002
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Medal
Physical description Silver
Maker de Saulles, George William
Place made United Kingdom
Date made c 1902
Conflict South Africa, 1899-1902 (Boer War)
Description

Queen's South Africa Medal with the bars 'CAPE COLONY', 'RHODESIA','ORANGE FREE STATE','RELIEF OF LADYSMITH', 'TRANSVAAL' and 'SOUTH AFRICA 1901'. The recipient's number, rank, name and regiment are impressed on the edge. Obverse: The crowned and veiled head of Queen Victoria and the legend 'VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX' around the rim. Reverse: Britannia with a flag in her left hand holding out a laurel wreath towards an advancing party of soldiers. In the background are two warships. The wreath in Britannia's hand points to the letter 'R' in the word 'AFRICA'. Around the top are the words 'SOUTH AFRICA'. The medal is fitted with a straight suspender and five rectangular campaign bars. A piece of 32 mm red ribbon with two dark blue stripes and a broad orange central stripe is attached to the suspender.

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History / Summary

Thomas Fulton Coleman was born at Sofala, NSW, on 18 December 1863. He enlisted in the NSW Artillery on 29 January 1885 and allocated the regimental number 1199. His attestation papers state that he was a gardener by trade, aged 21, height 5 feet 9 1/4 inches with grey eyes, brown hair, fresh complexion and religion as Church of England. In the Sudan he served as a driver with the NSW Contingent and in the South African War as a Warrant Officer with the NSW Citizens Bushmen Contingent during 1900-1901. Upon his return to Australia he joined the Permanent NSW Instructional Staff as a Quarter Master Sergeant and was promoted in 1908 to Staff Regimental Sergeant Major with the same unit. Coleman qualified for the Colonial Long Service Medal on 3 January 1903 and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal on 5 March 1910. On 1 April 1913 he was commissioned a Lieutenant (Adjutant) to the 43rd NSW Infantry Regiment. He was promoted to Captain (Adjutant) on 1 April 1918. He retired from military service as an Honorary Major in 1921. His brother William Hammond Coleman joined the NSW Artillery and also served in the Sudan and South African Wars. He joined the Instructional Staff on 1 October 1915 as a Lieutenant and was promoted Captain 1 January 1920.