Boer War Tribute Medal, 1900-1901, Robert John Cross, Yorkshire Imperial Yeomanry

Presented to Cross by the Corporation of Doncaster for service in South Africa, during the Boer War (1899-1902).

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.

At first the British fought the Boers with a small, professional army but after the reverses of December 1899, the British population, which had been educated to think along expansionist, imperial lines, volunteered in considerable numbers to serve in South Africa. Their efforts were commemorated by civic war memorials and the issue of tribute medals to mark the contribution by all sectors of society in this war to preserve the British Empire.

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.

Purchased with the assistance of Mr and Mrs S N Roditi's Charitable Trust and the Friends of the National Army Museum.