Pte. James Girdlestone, Coldstream Guards.

Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps "Cape Colony", "Orange Free State" & "Transvaal".
King's South Africa Medal with clasps "South Africa 1901" & "South Africa 1902".
Edward VII Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal.
6552 Pte. J. Girdlestone, Coldstream Guards.

James Girdlestone was born in Fakenham, Norfolk, around the year 1863. He is listed on the 1871 Census as the third of five children born to James Girdlestone, a drover, and his wife Martha. By the time of the 1881 Census, James' father had died and his mother was taking in lodgers and working as a charwoman to support the family, who were living at 12 Hays Lane, Fakenham. James' occupation is recorded as "carpenter" and at some point he enlisted in the 3rd Volunteer Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment.

On 16th April 1885, James attested for regular army service in the Coldstream Guards, agreeing to serve three years with the Colours and nine years in the First Class Army Reserve. His papers describe him as being almost 5' 11" tall, 145lbs in weight and with grey eyes and brown hair. His occupation is now given as "painter". Six days later, James joined the Guards in London. He would have undergone a period of basic training followed by the routine of home service. In April 1890, he married Bessie Sawtell at All Hallows Parish Church in Barking and the following year's Census records him together with his wife and 6 month old daughter, Margaret Eliza, at his in-laws' house at 23 Trevor Road, Wimbledon. The couple had five more children over the next few years: Winnifred Laura (b. 1891), Charles James (b.1894), who would serve in World War One, following in his father's footsteps by enlisting in the Coldstream Guards and serving as a private in France in 1914, before being commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the Northumberland Fusiliers and serving with the Salonika Force, Dorothy Bessie (b.1896), Florence Victoria (b. 1897) and Sidney Kimberley (b.1900). The last two children were born in the Tower of London.

In June 1896, James reengaged to complete 21 years service with the Colours. In March 1899, he had his first taste of overseas service when the 1st Coldstream Guards were sent to Gibraltar. Following the outbreak of war with the Boers in October 1899, the Battalion set sail for Cape Town. James, however, would remain in Gibraltar until August 1900, at which time he would rejoin the 1st Battalion in South Africa, serving there for over two years and earning entitlement to both the Queen's and King's South Africa Medals. More information about the Coldstream Guards in the Boer War can be read here.
James Girdlestone returned to England in October 1902. The award of his Good Conduct Medal appeared in Army Orders of October 1903. In December 1905, his continuation in the service beyond 21 years was approved. James finally left the army on 15th April 1907, having claimed his discharge after three months' notice. He had served a total of 22 years. His Discharge Papers describe his conduct and character as "exemplary" and additionally state that he was in possession of four Good Conduct Badges and had been employed as a servant for 20 years.
Interestingly, the 1911 Census lists James, now aged 49, as a butler in Mainsforth Hall, Ferryhill, County Durham. This was the ancestral home of Colonel Herbert Conyers Surtees, a much-decorated soldier who had served in Egypt and Sudan, commanded the 1st Coldstream Guards from March to December 1900, and would go on to command the 52nd Infantry Brigade in World War One. Had James Girdlestone been Colonel Surtees' servant during the South African campaign and subsequently employed by the old soldier in civilian life? It would be nice to think so.