Queen's South Africa Medal, Private Robert John Cross, 109th (Yorkshire Hussars) Company, 3rd Battalion Imperial Yeomanry

Robert John Cross was born circa 1888 in Lincolnshire and lived and worked in Doncaster as a Labourer before and after his military service. He enlisted as a private on 5 March 1901. Cross was discharged on 30 August 1902 after a year and 179 days service.

The 3rd Battalion Imperial Yeomanry was part of the first contingent of volunteers raised for service in the Boer War (1899-1902). The 109th (Yorkshire Hussars) Company was part of this volunteer force, drawn primarily from existing county Yeomanry units, sent to South Africa to reinforce regular forces which had suffered serious setbacks in 1899.

The Queen's South Africa Medal was awarded to soldiers who served during the Boer War (1899-1902) in South Africa between 11 October 1899 and 31 May 1902. Twenty-six clasps were awarded with this medal. Cross's medal has five clasps for 'Cape Colony', 'Orange Free State', 'Transvaal', 'South Africa 1901' and 'South Africa 1902'.

Purchased with the generous assistance of Mr and Mrs Roditi's Charitable Trust and Society of Friends of the National Army Museum