Lieutenant J. MacDonald served in the Herschel Native Police from 24.1.1902 to 31.5.1902. As such, he should have qualified only for the Queen's South Africa Medal. The rolls, however, show that his Queen's South Africa Medal was not issued but 'Held over' and a King's South Africa Medal issued. Not only a scarce single clasp but also an interesting example of a single issue King's South Africa Medal.

The Herschel Native Police, two hundred Basutos with white Officers, were raised in 1900 to keep order in the Herschel District near the Basutoland border. They were formed to protect the locality against any guerilla incursions and also to deter cattle rustlers.