United Kingdom. A Queen’s South Africa Medal to Driver Jones, Royal Canadian Field Artillery

In silver, full size, rim impressed 467 DR: H. JONES. R. CANDN: F.A., small edge knocks, light wear, very fine condition. 

Footnote: Driver H. Jones served with the Royal Canadian Field Artillery from February 17, 1900 to December 13, 1900. He later served with the Utrecht Volunteer Police (No. 104) 26 March 1901–19 Aug 1901 and Kitchener’s Fighting Scouts 26 Aug 1901–31 May 1902.

The Royal Canadian Field Artillery formed part of the Canadian contingents sent to South Africa during the Second Boer War. Composed of volunteers from the permanent and militia artillery units, they embarked in early 1900 and served under British command in operations across Cape Colony and the Orange Free State. The gunners provided mobile artillery support during convoy escorts, column advances, and actions against Boer commandos.

In the artillery, the rank of Driver referred not to operating the guns, but to managing the horses that pulled the gun carriages, limbers, and ammunition wagons. Each gun team required skilled Drivers to control and care for the horses, harnessing them, riding one of the pair, and guiding the teams into and out of action. During the Boer War’s mobile campaigns, Drivers such as H. Jones of the Royal Canadian Field Artillery played a crucial role in ensuring the guns could be quickly moved across difficult terrain and brought into position under fire.