On 19 February I brought you the story about the Nova Scotia born Miller brothers and their Medals of Honor awarded for actions in the Spanish American War of the late 1890's. Therein you learned of the US struggles to haul up underwater cables and sever them so that the Cubans could not contact Spain to come to their aid in that battle. The Millers were in the two work boats sent out from the USS Nashville. Today's hero was involved in the same event but came from the crews of the USS Marblehead. His story is the same as the Millers and so I won't repeate it today. For those who have not read that blog, just scrowl down till you get to the 19th and read it.
Leonard B Chadwick, to the left, was born in Delaware and by age 20 had joined the US Navy, already served 4 years and earned a Medal of Honor. Within 2 months of leaving the navy in mid 1898 he would have become involved in the shipping of mules to South Africa, and in fact had arrived there himself.
Hundreds of thousands of mules had already been "expended" during the war and orders were sent for replacements all across Canada the US and elswehere.
Within very short order Chadwick must have decided that bunk mates of the human type were better than mules and so he joined an army Cavalry unit... the Lord Roberts Horse. Over the next year Chadwick would so impress his superiors that Lord Roberts himself would write not one... but three letters to his superiors about this man. Each letters amounted to what is called a Mention in Despatches, and each was actually a medal of bravery in itself.
Within a year Chadwick had fought in battles at Paardberg, Sannah's Post, Diamond Hill, Prinsloo, Heidelberg and the Relief of Kimberley. He'd become a POW for a very short time and even got promoted to Corporal for his bravery. At the end of his service he would come away from South Africa with 6 campaign bars to his service medals. He was probably entitled to a 7th. The most anyone could get, because they could not be in more than one place at a time, was 9.
Chadwick was nominated for the Victoria Cross probably three different times and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (one down from the VC) for bravery.
Hundreds of thousands of mules had already been "expended" during the war and orders were sent for replacements all across Canada the US and elswehere.
Within very short order Chadwick must have decided that bunk mates of the human type were better than mules and so he joined an army Cavalry unit... the Lord Roberts Horse. Over the next year Chadwick would so impress his superiors that Lord Roberts himself would write not one... but three letters to his superiors about this man. Each letters amounted to what is called a Mention in Despatches, and each was actually a medal of bravery in itself.
Within a year Chadwick had fought in battles at Paardberg, Sannah's Post, Diamond Hill, Prinsloo, Heidelberg and the Relief of Kimberley. He'd become a POW for a very short time and even got promoted to Corporal for his bravery. At the end of his service he would come away from South Africa with 6 campaign bars to his service medals. He was probably entitled to a 7th. The most anyone could get, because they could not be in more than one place at a time, was 9.
Chadwick was nominated for the Victoria Cross probably three different times and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (one down from the VC) for bravery.
During the Boer War HRH Queen Victoria took a very deep interest in her men fighting in South Africa from her many colonies. So too did she value her constant letters from her favourite grandson Christian, who was serving in the war with the rank of major and a member of General Hillyard's staff. He would often write about the bitterley cold nights.
It is felt that due to these letters The Queen thought she would like to send a token of her concerns, but to just a highly select few. Through her own hand eight scarf's wear crocheted that ultimately were worn by some like it was a Sergeant's sash.
These were sent in two batches, one going to Christean with the instructions that the first four wear to go to four privates, each representing one of her colonies. Those being Cape Colony, New Zealand, Australia and Canada. Each of these four were to be selected by the men.... not those with ranks and certainly not the officers. Each Regiment was to hold a vote, select the most bravest soldier in the unit and pass those names along. Privates would narrow down the vote and ultimately end up with four men... these being the bravest of the bravest of the bravest.
Leonard Chadwick, the American Medal of Honor recipient, was selected to represent the thousands that fought on behalf of Cape Colony. When the name was presented to the Queen it came with the concern that this fellow was an American and ought not to be selected. The Queen overruled those in objection and Chadwick became one of the bravest and one of only 4 in the world as a private to get the Queen's Scarf. (he'd later make Cpl).
Of the four privates being awarded the scarf, he was the only one with a DCM as well, and had more campaign bars then any of the privates or even sergeants who got the scarf. Some would say that he thus became one of the most decorated soldiers in all of North America.
It is felt that due to these letters The Queen thought she would like to send a token of her concerns, but to just a highly select few. Through her own hand eight scarf's wear crocheted that ultimately were worn by some like it was a Sergeant's sash.
These were sent in two batches, one going to Christean with the instructions that the first four wear to go to four privates, each representing one of her colonies. Those being Cape Colony, New Zealand, Australia and Canada. Each of these four were to be selected by the men.... not those with ranks and certainly not the officers. Each Regiment was to hold a vote, select the most bravest soldier in the unit and pass those names along. Privates would narrow down the vote and ultimately end up with four men... these being the bravest of the bravest of the bravest.
Leonard Chadwick, the American Medal of Honor recipient, was selected to represent the thousands that fought on behalf of Cape Colony. When the name was presented to the Queen it came with the concern that this fellow was an American and ought not to be selected. The Queen overruled those in objection and Chadwick became one of the bravest and one of only 4 in the world as a private to get the Queen's Scarf. (he'd later make Cpl).
Of the four privates being awarded the scarf, he was the only one with a DCM as well, and had more campaign bars then any of the privates or even sergeants who got the scarf. Some would say that he thus became one of the most decorated soldiers in all of North America.
The records are not really clear but it would appear that the Scarf may have been awarded as a result of Chadwick's bravery when he rode out to help save wounded under very heavy fire at the battle of Koorn Spruit or because of his helping to save the heavy field guns from capture by the enemy at Sannah's Post.
Both battles make for most interesting reading and lots of detail is available with a google search.
Chadwick came back to the US in 1901 and worked as a union rep. His activites at one point were thought to be anti American and even the FBI had him under their eyes for a while until they realized that he was truly a hero and rumours about him were false. It's all on the net for the good researcher to dig up.
He also worked as an insurance agent and as a labourer in the iron industry till an accident took him out of that profession. Leonard Chadwick never married, and died in 1940 while living alone in a rooming house. He was given a full military funeral and it was said that he was buried in Massachussets with his Medal of Honor sitting on his chest. His marker shown here notes that he was a MOH recipient and indicates that his rank was that of a GM 3, that being a Gunners Mate third class.
There is no indication on the stone that he had been awarded the Queens Scarf, and was one of only 8 people in the WORLD to be so honoured. Most net references do not even mention it.
That is a shame!
In another blog I will bring you the story of another Queens Scarf recipient and this one was from Canada... sort of.
Bart
Both battles make for most interesting reading and lots of detail is available with a google search.
Chadwick came back to the US in 1901 and worked as a union rep. His activites at one point were thought to be anti American and even the FBI had him under their eyes for a while until they realized that he was truly a hero and rumours about him were false. It's all on the net for the good researcher to dig up.
He also worked as an insurance agent and as a labourer in the iron industry till an accident took him out of that profession. Leonard Chadwick never married, and died in 1940 while living alone in a rooming house. He was given a full military funeral and it was said that he was buried in Massachussets with his Medal of Honor sitting on his chest. His marker shown here notes that he was a MOH recipient and indicates that his rank was that of a GM 3, that being a Gunners Mate third class.
There is no indication on the stone that he had been awarded the Queens Scarf, and was one of only 8 people in the WORLD to be so honoured. Most net references do not even mention it.
That is a shame!
In another blog I will bring you the story of another Queens Scarf recipient and this one was from Canada... sort of.
Bart
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