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I think that the first relates to his time in the Army Reserve and I think that the last two letters (AR) represent that. He was not called off the reserve to fight in the Boer War because he was already serving in uniform in South Africa. As you can see his service, active in the army and on the reserve comes to the 12 years that was his due.

There will be some phrase that covers his Army Reserve period in the Colony/Police which will equate to that abbreviation I think, as it obviously refers to his time in South Africa.

Best wishes,

Justin

P Jeffries joined the Natal Police on 21/6/1897 and was given the number 1966. He was with General Buller's 'Relief of Ladysmith' force, and, after the siege was lifted, he was posted to Standerton in the Transvaal on 6/7/1900 to join Buller's Bodyguard, hence the award of the 'Belfast' clasp on his QSA. A premium is paid for medals to the Bodyguard, especially those with the 'Belfast' clasp.

I will check to see if I have any other information about his service with the Natal Police.

Regards
Brett

Amazing, Thank you Brett!
If I might ask how you found out that info? I would like to be able to reference my info on him. Is there some sort of more detailed service records available? And all of these postings he would still be considered part of the Natal Police?
I really do appreciate everyone's help. I have 3 boys under 9 who are already super interested in their relatives who served, and I would love to be able to tell them more detailed stories! Last Remembrance Day all 3 took in pictures and spoke in front of their classes, all of their own initiative.
Jenna

Brett Hendey wrote: P Jeffries joined the Natal Police on 21/6/1897 and was given the number 1966. He was with General Buller's 'Relief of Ladysmith' force, and, after the siege was lifted, he was posted to Standerton in the Transvaal on 6/7/1900 to join Buller's Bodyguard, hence the award of the 'Belfast' clasp on his QSA. A premium is paid for medals to the Bodyguard, especially those with the 'Belfast' clasp.

I will check to see if I have any other information about his service with the Natal Police.

Regards
Brett

Jenna

The information on Jeffries' Queen's South Africa Medal is in The National Archives, Kew. The reference is WO100/261 under 'Natal Volunteer Corps & Police', and can be viewed online.

On this site under 'Unit information", 'South African Units', and 'Natal Volunteer Corps & Police', there is some information on the Natal Police.

Jeffries' posting to Standerton is recorded in the NP Headquarter's Order Book, which is preserved in the South African National Archives Repository in Pietermaritzburg.

This Archive also has the Enlistment Register' of the Natal Police. It usually has little useful information, but should give next-of-kin and discharge date. Perhaps Rory, a member of this forum who lives in Maritzburg, will copy the relevamt page for you.

There is a paper in the Journal of the Orders and Medals Research Society on the subject of Buller's Bodyguard. It was co-authored by Meurig Jones (another member of this forum) and myself. Unfortunately, I no longer have copies or its full reference. Perhaps Meurig will help.

I have not yet searched for more information about Jeffries, but I will do so later.

Regards
Brett

Hello Jenna

Rory here - I can help with a copy of the Natal Police Register entry for your relative.

It will take me a while as I am out of town at present but please drop me your e-mail address via PM on this site and I'll let you have it the minute I have a chance.

Regards

Rory

Thanks Brett!
I have found and saved a digital copy of the WO100/261 page detailing his clasps, thanks for that note!

I have been reading up tons (a lot on here) about the different battles that I know now he was a part of thanks to his clasps. Every google search I do leads me right back to the wealth of info at angloboerwar.com

I have found an online listing to purchase the volume of the journal with your paper in it on the Bodyguard. Just now trying to convince my husband that I need to spend more on books/research. Knowing he was part of the bodyguard (40 men?) posted to such an important figure, it is my DREAM to find a picture of Buller with his guard and gain another picture of Jeffries. A dream for sure. That and finding his medals. Ha.

Is the NP headquarters book the best way to find out more details on his postings/movements? The NP seems to be such a unique posting... not so easy to track movements like being in the 2nd Devonshire or whatever. They seem to be split up and all over the place, but such interesting duties. No single regimental diary will help figure out what all he was involved in! When I search on NASA through the NAB database I cant seem to come up with anything.

Brett Hendey wrote: Jenna

The information on Jeffries' Queen's South Africa Medal is in The National Archives, Kew. The reference is WO100/261 under 'Natal Volunteer Corps & Police', and can be viewed online.

On this site under 'Unit information", 'South African Units', and 'Natal Volunteer Corps & Police', there is some information on the Natal Police.

Jeffries' posting to Standerton is recorded in the NP Headquarter's Order Book, which is preserved in the South African National Archives Repository in Pietermaritzburg.

This Archive also has the Enlistment Register' of the Natal Police. It usually has little useful information, but should give next-of-kin and discharge date. Perhaps Rory, a member of this forum who lives in Maritzburg, will copy the relevamt page for you.

There is a paper in the Journal of the Orders and Medals Research Society on the subject of Buller's Bodyguard. It was co-authored by Meurig Jones (another member of this forum) and myself. Unfortunately, I no longer have copies or its full reference. Perhaps Meurig will help.
I have not yet searched for more information about Jeffries, but I will do so later.

Regards
Brett