South Africa Medal 1834-1853, awarded to Private W. Williamson, 72nd Regiment of Foot - The Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders, who was posted together with his regiment to the Cape of Good Hope for service in what is now South Africa where it would be stationed for almost 12 years, and fought in the First Kaffir War of 1834 to 1835, which is otherwise referred to as the Sixth Frontier War.
South Africa Medal 1834-1853; (W. WILLIAMSON. 72ND REGT:).
Condition: light contact wear, Good Very Fine.
Awarded to Private W. Williamson, 72nd Regiment of Foot - The Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders, who was posted together with his regiment to the Cape of Good Hope for service in what is now South Africa where it would be stationed for almost 12 years.
The uprising of 1834 to 1835 is often referred to as the First Kaffir War, but in South African history it is remembered as the Sixth Frontier War. Kaffir resentment of land encroachment by white settlers lay at the heart of these conflicts, but the catalyst for hostilities sprang from a minor incident in December 1834 when a patrol of the Cape Mounted Rifles was attacked during an attempt to recover stolen horses. The trouble spread and groups of Kaffirs fell upon settlements in the Albany district to steal and slaughter livestock. This escalated into widespread pillage and murder. Settlers fled to Grahamstown or the protection of the nearest military fort. In January 1835, Colonel Harry Smith made a famous 600 mile ride in six days from Cape Town to Grahamstown where he restored order. Small columns were pushed out to takes the fight to enemy and very soon reinforcements were reaching the frontier. Operations to drive the Kaffirs from the bush along the Kat and Great Fish Rivers and then the vastnesses around Fort Wiltshire up to the Keiskama River occupied the months of February and March. Four divisions swept the Amatola Mountains and in ensuing months relentlessly pursued the Kaffirs wherever they could be found, but not until September 1835 was a peace treaty ratified. Williamson served throughout the First Kaffir War and was one of 128 others ranks from his regiment to receive the medal for this conflict.
