Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902, no clasp to Native Labour Corps
Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp
130 Overseer B. W. Bates. N.L.C.
NEF
Roll states in comments section : "Intelligence Department Cyclist Corps. Natal Field Force" and shows entitlement to Natal and Laing's Nek Clasps.
The corps was formed in Natal by J S Marwick.
Peter Warwick in 'Black People and the South African War 1899-1902' refers to the NLC:
At the beginning of December [1899] it was decided that a Native Labour Corps should be created and administered by the Public Works Department, but with the important difference that that the labour employed would be - nominally at least - voluntary... Within a short period Marwick had recruited over 1000 men, supplied largely by chief Ncwadi and indirectly by the magistrates in Weenen and Estcourt. The men were usually engaged for three months and paid 40s a month, double the rate for isibalo labour. A small number of Indians were also enlisted, some of whom acted as overseers and were paid 60s a month. As the war progressed the corps gradually became dispersed throughout Northern Natal, the Orange River Colony and the south eastern Transvaal'.
The QSA rolls (within the ASC portfolio) show some claims for the OFS clasp but no clasp medals were issued to the NLC.
controversially, the other ranks of Black units were not awarded medals.
