THIRD CLASS TROOPER H. FINLAY, SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTABULARY. Queen's South Africa Medal, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (officially named, impressed in plain block capitals: 808 3RD. CL. TPR: H. FINLAY. S.A.C.). Scattered surface contact marks, rim nicks and edge bruises, otherwise Very Fine and with a length of original ribbon.
Medal accompanied by 23 pages of copied service papers, documents and correspondence from Finlay's South African Constabulary records and QSA Medal rolls (2), confirming medal and clasps.
Howard Finlay enlisted into the South African Constabulary on 18/12/1900. At the time of enlistment Finlay was resident at 6 Landscape Terrace, Coleraine, Co. Derry. On enlistment he stated that he was 21 years and 6 months old and had been born in Banbridge, Co. Down. QSA Medal roll states that Finlay was eventually discharged as being "unsuitable" on 23/10/1902, despite having by then seen almost two years service with the South African Constabulary. Finlay was probably discharged as a result of being unfit for further service, having been on sick furlough for some considerable time prior to his discharge, sick furlough commencing at Red River Hospital on 1/5/1902.
