The QSA or Queen's South Africa Medal was the usual campaign medal for serving in the South African War between 11 October 1899 and 31 May 1902, ie including service after the death of Queen Victoria who died in 1901. The KSA or King's South Africa Medal was only issued to those serving in South Africa on or after 1 January 1902, and to have completed 18 months total service before 1 June 1902. Time in transit to South Africa eg in ship from Canada or New Zealand was excluded (and possibly time in hospital also?). Postwar a number of soldiers wrote in thinking they were eligible for the KSA also. The KSA was only issued with the QSA. Those not eligible for the KSA could get the bars South Africa 1901 and or South Africa 1902. Earlier participants would have been eligible for other clasps, ie the Battle & State clasps. If a Battle clasp was issued the clasp for that state was not, eg a medal with Diamond Hill or Johannesburg clasps would not have the Transvaal clasp. The New Zealand Tenth Contingent disembarked at Durban on 17 or 26 May 1902. They all got the QSA with one clasp (SA 02), though doing little fighting as the surrender was signed at Vereeniging on 31 May. One member was accidentally killed, and 11 died of disease. Lieutenant Robert McKeich of the NZ Ninth Contingent was killed in action near Vereeniging on 4 June, leaving a widow and children. He was game shooting with Lieutenant Henry Rayne, and met a party of Boers who did not know peace had been signed. Medals; QSA, KSA etc, see: http://www.pcug.org.au/~croe/oz_boer7.htm Yours, John Wilson (Wellington, New Zealand)