THE presentation of a war medal to a specialist museum has unveiled the fascinating military past of a family from Hatherleigh.

Gordon Causley, aged 91 and born in Hatherleigh, has donated his father Samuel's Queen's South Africa medal to Horsepower, the museum of the King's Royal Hussars in Winchester. The QSA was awarded to military personnel who served in the Boer War in South Africa between October 11, 1899 and May 31, 1902.

Born in 1873 in the hamlet of Trusham, Samuel tried to enrol in the army before he was of legal age, but was refused entry.

When he was of age to enrol, he joined the Colours at Newton Abbot and received the Queen's shilling, enlisting in the 10th Royal Hussars.

He was onboard the SS Ismore on his way to South Africa when she ran aground at Columbine Point, 75 miles north of Table Bay on December 3, 1899. 315 horses were lost, as were an unspecified number of guns and vital supplies needed for the war effort.

Wounded in the left leg, he contracted enteric fever and was awarded the QSA medal with two battle clasps for service in Driefonein and Paaderberg, and a state clasp for Cape Colony.

The 26 different bars available represent each action and campaign of the war. He was medically discharged with a small pension, which he received until his death at the age of 83 in 1956.

Gordon followed his father's footsteps into the military.

He joined the Royal Green Jackets aged 17 at Okehampton in 1938.

Before enrolling he had joined the TA at 15, completing three camps.

During the second world war he served in Egypt, coming up through North Africa to Tunisia.

From North Africa he crossed to the southern tip of Italy.

In 1944, he passed through Pompeii and saw Mount Vesuvius erupt during his trip.

He then served in an occupation force in Austria for six months, before returning home to England.

Three weeks later, he returned back to Italy to be de-mobbed.

Last year, Mr Causley made the trip back to the world war two battlefields thanks to the Royal British Legion.

Samuel's medal is now on display at the museum.