Sir James Sivewright Telegrahpy in SA

Posts : 3463 Join date : 2021-01-04

I was about to ignore this one as he was not in M+S but then I saw it stated he had the SAGS medal with 77-78-79 clasp scratch

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Daily Record - Saturday 24 January 1914

The rest of the article is all about Robbie Burns the poet.

Sir James Sivewright K.C.M.G. (1848–10 September 1916) was a businessman and politician of the Cape Colony, South Africa. He was a strong political ally of Cecil Rhodes and, as his cabinet minister, was implicated in the "Logan" corruption scandal that led to the fall of the first Rhodes government.
After he worked in India for its telegraph service, he emigrated to the Cape Colony in 1877 and became the general manager of telegraphy. He would retire from the service in 1885. The Cape had recently wrested a degree of independence from Britain under the "Responsible Government" system, and its first Prime Minister John Molteno was embarking on a massive expansion in the country's infrastructure. Sivewright was one of the telegraphy experts which the Cape government imported to develop a telecommunications system for the country. From 1877 Sivewright helped to plan and construct the telegraphy networks for the Cape Colony, and then, up until 1881 likewise for the Transvaal, the Natal Colony and the Orange Free State. (wiki)

Looking at this description of his occupation it would seem he shouldn't have the SAGS medal.

Subject: Re: Sir James Sivewright Telegrahpy in SA Sat Sep 24, 2022 3:53 pm

Kate,

Take a look at https://www.1879zuluwar.com/t1517-f-n-streatfeild?highlight=Streatfeild#6109

Go down to the photograph posted by Andy on 28th December 2009, and look where Sivewright has positioned himself.

JY

Posts : 3463 Join date : 2021-01-04

Thanks John. Salute

He is obviously one of the Civil Servants.
Would he have qualified for the SAGS medal with clasp?
I vaugley remember reading somewhere about a civvie who qualified for the SAGS medal so it is possible.

Subject: Re: Sir James Sivewright Telegrahpy in SA Sat Sep 24, 2022 10:47 pm

He was the only non combatant to receive the medal with three bars for Field Telegraphing in the disputed territory, besides his other achievements.
byondnootka.com

His Biography by Wilburn, Kenneth E is on sale on Amazon for £487:99 Hardcover, includes a few chapters covering the Zulu war, Dunford controversy, unburied dead, and much more.

Posts : 3463 Join date : 2021-01-04

Thanks Eddie Salute

And heres his will
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The Scotsman - Monday 18 September 1916

» James Hopkins
» James Rorke.
» James Hudson.