364 Daniel Peter Thurston, 2nd NZMR
QSA - 2nd NZMR - Thurston
The Queen's South Africa Medal w/clasps Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Cape Colony, Orange Free State issued to Daniel Peter Thurston, who served a full tour in South Africa during 1900-01.
Daniel Thurston was born on 2nd February 1879 at Patea, New Zealand. Son of John William and Rosanna Thurston. He was working as a school teacher when he was selected for service with the 2nd NZMR Contingent during the 2nd Anglo-Boer War. His volunteer service with the Wairoa Mounted Rifles gave him the skills and experience to take one of the covered spots in the contingent. He served a full tour in South Africa, and was mentioed in the diary of Maj. Montagu Cradock has having a lucky escape during the action at Vet River in May 1900: "No. 364, Private D. Thurston, had a bullet graze his arm, and another lodged in the emergency ration which was in his haversack". Thurston returned to New Zealand in mid-1901, returning to his teaching roll.
Thurston married Annie Isabella MacKenzie in 1903 and had a family of six children. He died at Wanganui in 1953 and is buried in Aramoho Cemetery.
The QSA was issued unnamed during the visit of the Duke and Duchess in 1901, and was subsequently privately engraved 364 Pte. D.P. THURSTON 2nd N.Z.M.R. The South Africa 1901 clasp to which he is entitled is missing.
Included in this lot are both of the Thurston's discharge certificates and an engraved silver vesta case, presented to him by the pupils of the school where he worked in December 1901.