Full medal write up
SOUTH AFRICA 1877-9, CLASP, 1879 ‘COMMY. J. W. ELMES, COMMISSARIAT DEPT.’
Jonathan William Elmes was commissioned an Ensign in the 17th Foot in January 1859. Appointed an Acting Deputy Assistant Commissary General , August 1861 and advanced to D.A.C.G. in February 1862; Deputy Commissary in February 1870; Commissary in September 1878; Assistant Commissary General in January 1880; Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel in February 1885 and Honorary Colonel in August 1886. Served on the Staff as A.A.G. from December 1888.
Elmes served in Canada, August 1861-October 1863; West Africa; Gambia, Sierra Leone, Gold Coast and Lagos between November 1863 and August 1866; Gibraltar, January 1871-June 1876; Cape Province and Natal, November 1878-February 1884, including the Zulu and 1st Boer Wars. His Army List entry is as follows:
“Colonel J. W. Elmes served in the Zulu war in 1879 (Medal with Clasp). Served in the Boer war of 1881, and was present in the engagement at Lang's Nek (mentioned in despatches, and granted the relative rank of Lt.Colonel).”
During the Zulu War he was Transport Officer at headquarters where his duties included the provision of transport for all troops and convoys proceeding from the capital, all transport and equipment accounts, and the establishment of the means of conveyance.
Elmes served throughout the 1st Boer War, and was mentioned in despatches for his service at the disastrous battle of Laing’s Nek and specially promoted Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel for his services during the war. He placed on the Retired List on 24 February 1897 and died in 1911 having attained the rank of Major General.
https://www.britishbattles.com/first-boer-war/battle-of-laings-nek/
Condition GVF. Nice original silk ribbon. With copied service record etc. This medal was Elmes’s only entitlement. Ex DNW 2013.