The Queen's South Africa Medal w/clasps Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 awarded to Edward Arthur Dudley Rathbun of the 3rd NZMR Contingent.

Edward Rathbun was born at Westport, New Zealand on 23rd August 1878, son of William Ward and Emily Constance Rathbun (née Manley). At the time of his selection for service in South Africa with the 3rd NZMR Contingent he was working for the General Exploration Company at Westport, and had three years experience with the Westport Rifle Volunteers behind him. He was promoted to Saddler soon after a leaving New Zealand in February 1900, and served a full tour in South Africa. Rathbun returned to New Zealand in May 1901, and received an unnamed medal during the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. He was working as labourer at Hector on the West Coast when he collapsed and died on 27th August 1931. He is buried in Orowaiti Middle Cemetery.

The medal is nicely engraved in a contemporary style for the period, typical of the medals originally issued unnamed in 1901: 787 SADr D. RATHBUN "3rd N.Z.R.R."

Service file held at Archives New Zealand