Description Queen’s South Africa, 6 bars, Belmont, Modder River, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast, King’s South Africa, 2 bars, SA 1901, SA 1902, 3991 Private John Frances, Coldstream Guards, a classic entitlement being present at the early battles. QSA officially impressed: “3991 Pte J. Frances. Cldstm: Gds:” KSA officially impressed: “3991 Pte J. Frances. Coldstream Guards.” Confirmed on the medal roll, with copy service papers. John Frances was born in Hartlepool, Durham during 1873. Father was William Frances, 13 Baptist St, East Hartlepool Aged 19 having worked as a Labourer, he signed on with the Coldstream Guards at Newcastle on Tyne on 17th November 1892. Curiously, he had previously been rejected from service, having just a few days earlier tried to join the Royal Artillery on 15th November 1902, however having been assessed as a recruit at the depot on the 16th, he was found unfit for service, due to defective vision he was noted as “not likely to become an efficient soldier”. This obviously did little to dissuade him as the very next day he tried again and was accepted into the Coldstream Guards, likely this time hiding his vision issues. He also made a slight adjustment to his age, on the 15th Nov he said he was 18 years 8 months old and on the 17th he said he had just turned 19. Like a typical soldier of this time, he signed up for full time service, which had ended by the time of the war, having joined the Army Reserve Section B on 17th November 1895. However his leave was cancelled, being recalled to Army Service under Special Army Order of 7th October 1899, being posted back to 1st Bn Coldstream Guards on 9th October 1902. He was posted to 3rd Bn on 21st July 1902 before being demobilised back to the Army Reserve on 17th March 1903, before his full discharge having completed his 12 years terms of engagement on 16th November 1904. His service was mostly spent at home, apart from his almost 3 years on service in the Boer War. He spent 22nd October 1899 until 20th July 1902 in South Africa.
