Sometimes one just wishes one listened to our elders much more when we were younger.
But I have been told that my Grandfather came over to came to Cape Town to look after the horses that were arriving from overseas for the Boer War. Later when cars were being more widely used he was transferred to the mechanical corp. Other stories say he came over with the mechanical corp. I don't know which version is true? I have been searching for the last year to find his Service Record on Crown Duty without success. Can any one on this forum pleas help point me in the right direction. I would be most grateful.
Hi My name is Gary Kalem
Just to introduce my self...long term medal collector ( started as we do when given my great grandfathers WW1 pair some 45 years ago...has been going down hill since then). Collect Australian and British medals and very keen researcher....
On 1 May 2016, at 20:27, Warren Abbott <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.> wrote:
Hello Capt. Biggins,
I’m Capt. (ret.) Warren Bruce Abbott now living in Canada. I am searching for all information regarding the shipments of fodder from India to your part of the world during the Boer wars.
GF John Harold Abbott was instrumental in shipping large quantities of baled hay and our family, then in India, have very little knowledge of these events.
Your knowledge in these matters is sincerely requested, would you please help me in this effort?
Warren Abbott
Ontario, Canada
I am looking for the following: Army Form B.111 - 1900 Attestation
In a format that can be filled out.....
Does anyone have this type of form in a computer format, or on a CD ?????
I would like to get a copy of the form so that I can transcribe some forms that I have that on file for some of my men that have such bad handwriting they are very hard to read.....
There is an interesting post on the GMIC about Dr Edward Charles Long, who was the Principal Medical Officer in Basutoland over the period of the Boer War. It was written that he was awarded a no clasp QSA named to the Basutoland Civil Service. The copy of the QSA roll for this unit is shown in this post and it has a cross through all the names. However, there is also a note that one medal was awarded.
I tried but failed to find this roll in the National Archives on-line QSA rolls, but it must be there somewhere.
Can anyone shed more light on this matter?
The name "Dutchie" stemmed from Christianson's hatred of the Boers - a hatred resulting from the death of his brother at the hands of the Boers as a POW during the Anglo Boer War
- Queens South Africa Medal with clasps Relief of Ladysmith and Transvaal to 156 Pte. H.L. Christianson, Durban L.I.
Henry Christianson or “Dutchie” as he became known was born in Durban in the Colony of Natal on 25 May 1880 the son of John Christianson and his wife Olin. Life in early Durban was a rudimentary affair and it was only towards the last decade of the 19th century that comforts like running water and electric lights were installed in the streets and households of the Durban population.
Most young men followed a trade as there was a demand for skilled labour and artisans which surpassed the need for more educated pursuits. Christianson was no different in that he became a Carpenter by trade. The peace and equanimity of Natal was brought to an abrupt end in October 1899 with the invasion from the North and West of the Boer forces. War had broken out between the Boer Republics of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State and the British Empire of which Natal was an integral part and no time was lost in crossing over into Natal.
Initially it was felt that the incursion would be easily repulsed by the few Imperial regiments based in the Colony but realisation soon dawned that this was no small affair and the call rapidly came for colonial units to be raised to assist the cause. Established units like the Durban Light Infantry and the Natal Mounted Rifles called up their peace-time members and other volunteers and they were soon ready to take to the field. Christianson was one of these men and, at the age of 19 found himself mustered with B Company under Captain J Nicholson for service.
Mustered as early as 29 September 1899, on the very eve of war, the D.L.I. was sent to an encampment at Colenso tasked with keeping open the Tugela Bridge, the gateway to nearby Ladysmith. For the first few weeks their energies were devoted to building trenches and forts, including, for B Company, Fort Nicholson. After a barrage of Boer artillery fire rained down on them the decision was made to fall back on Estcourt.
They were next engaged at the battel of Willow Grange on 23 November where the British forces were routed and although last to leave the field the D.L.I. suffered no losses. From then on, sadly for the men, the D.L.I. was called upon to man the lines of communication. The top brass pleaded for their men to be allowed to remain in the fighting line but it was not to be and they were moved south to Nottingham Road and from there to Mooi River where they assisted in hospital work and other menial duties.
A move back to Estcourt followed and then on to Elandslaagte and to Dundee, almost to the spot where the battle of Talana had raged some six months before. By this time of course the enemy was nowhere to be seen and the D.L.I. helped rebuild the desolate town of Dundee. In September 1900 the battalion marched into the Transvaal, joining General Hildyard’s column which moved on Vryheid meeting little opposition. On 7 October the battalion entrained for Durban receiving a rapturous welcome a year almost to the day since they had departed.
The D.L.I’s war might have been over but Christianson’s war was not – on 28 May 1901 he enlisted for service with the Utrecht Mounted Police and was assigned no. 199 and the rank of Trooper. It must be remembered that Utrecht had been the “border” between the Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek and Natal until the Boers had been expelled from the colony and this unit would have been at the forefront of any action that was taking place in their vicinity. He was to serve until taking his discharge on 23 August 1901.
Scouting around for something to do he next joined up with the 2nd battalion, Kitchener’s Fighting Scouts a week later on 30 August 1901 with the rank of Corporal and number 457. His attestation paper confirmed his prior service with both the D.L.I. and the U.M.P. and went on to say that his next of kin was his father, Captain John Christianson of 45 Shepstone Street, Addington, Durban. Physically Christianson was described as being 5 feet 10 ½ inches with a dark complexion, brown eyes and light brown hair. He was now 21 ½ years old.
In August 1901 Colonel Wilson, with the 2nd KFS, was railed to the Orange River Colony and it was here that Christianson joined their ranks. In Lord Robert’s despatches of October, November, and December 1901 there are frequent references to the work of Wilson's column. In their new sphere they had endless marching and constant fighting, and always made good use of their opportunities. The column had the good fortune to be working under and often with Colonel Rimington. On 4th October Wilson, marching from Kroonstad to Heilbron, was attacked near the Rhenoster River, but drove off the enemy. The regiment lost 4 killed and 6 wounded.
On 14th November the columns of Colonel Byng, South African Light Horse, and Wilson, 2nd KFS, were very resolutely attacked. After two hours' fighting the attack was successfully repulsed by "Byng's rear-guard, which was well and skilfully handled by Lieutenant Colonel Wilson of KFS, and the enemy retired, leaving 8 dead on the field". The telegraphic despatch stated that the rear-guard was composed of KFS, who had all the losses, namely, 3 killed, including Lieutenant Hughes, and 8 wounded.
During December 1901 and January and February 1902 the 2nd KFS took part in many big driving movements in the north of the Orange River Colony. In his telegram of 27th January 1902 Lord Kitchener said: "Colonel Wilson, KFS, moved out on Thursday night from Frankfort and surrounded a small laager at Damplatz, capturing 20 prisoners, including Field-Cornet Strydom. During the return march he was attacked by a superior force under Alberts, who was driven off after severe fighting, leaving 5 dead. All Wilson's prisoners, except three, escaped". Kitchener's Fighting Scouts lost 8 killed and 7 wounded.
In the despatch of 8th February, dealing with events in that district, Lord Kitchener said that the columns of Keir and Wilson and Damant's Horse "have acted vigorously whenever opportunity offered against the enemy's bands under Commandants Alberts and Ross, which continued to frequent the valley of the Vaal to the north of Frankfort".
In the beginning of March Wilson's column was, with other troops, taken to the Western Transvaal, where, it will be remembered, Lord Methuen had met with disaster. The 2nd KFS were placed under General Walter Kitchener, and were present at the fiercely fought action of Boschbult on 31st March 1902, when they lost 1 killed and 7 wounded. They took part in the final great drives, under General Ian Hamilton, towards the Mafeking railway and back to Klerksdorp.
The 2nd battalion, Kitchener's Fighting Scouts took the field when the war was far advanced, but during the whole of the second phase of the campaign they did splendid work. Judged by the losses inflicted on the enemy, no corps could point to a finer record, and they are an outstanding example of what can be made in a very short time of Colonial material, provided that officers suitable for irregulars are found.
Having been taken to Pretoria after the declaration of peace, Kitchener's Fighting Scouts had, along with the Imperial Light Horse, Johannesburg Mounted Rifles, and Scottish Horse, the honour of marching past Lord Kitchener, who spoke highly of the work which had been done. Christianson took his leave of the regiment on disbandment after this on 7 July 1902.
For his efforts Christianson was awarded the Queens Medal named to his parent regiment – the Durban Light Infantry.
Out of uniform and with the Boer War a thing of the past Christianson turned his attention to romance marrying Eliza Hannable Smith a 26 year old Dressmaker of Shepstone Street, Durban at St Cyprian’s Church on 26 November 1904. He was a 25 year old bachelor at the time.
Little is known of his movements after this save for the fact that he became a well-known builder in Durban. His nickname “Dutchie” stemmed from his hatred for the Boers after his brother, a Trooper with the 4th Railway Pioneer Regiment, had been shot by the Boers after being taken Prisoner of War at Grobler’s Drift.
He passed away at the age of 90 on 28 June 1970 in Entabeni Hospital, Durban. His address at the time of his death was 55 Cunningham Road, Umbilo, Durban. A Widower, his wife had predeceased him in 1966. Henry Lewis Christianson was survived by his numerous children – John Scott Christianson; Victor Herbert Christianson; Roy Ethelbert Christianson and Ivan Lewis Christianson. Two of his sons had also died before him – Arnold Lewis Christianson and Henry Christianson. His estate was a large one for the times – R 22 952. 46.
I've been looking through some of my family photos and history over the past few weeks, as I'm stuck at home with an awful knee injury! My great-grandpa, John Hutchieson Kennedy, was in the Boer War. He was quite a remarkable man, not in terms of attaining significant rank in his army life, but in the life he lived. He was also in World War 1, went exploring in California and spent a year, or so, in New Zealand! I remember him well as he died when I was almost 8 years old. I was always fascinated by the tall, wall to wall, bookcases of documents and books he had in the tenement flat below my gran's in Glasgow's High Street. I've inherited a smidgen of his documents and some of these include some Boer War paraphernalia. Everything is original - including his diary. He had other diaries, but these were donated to two different museums. I thought I'd share some of my great-grandpa's memories with some real Boer War enthusiasts. Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Hi..I'm enquiring on behalf of a friend ..he has the medal with the following clasps..Laings Nek, Orange Free State , Transvaal, Cape Colony , south Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902.
It was awarded to Driver J. Turner ASC. 11077 ,. 16th Co.
The medal itself has a small ground patch on the reverse where a faint 2 can be seen.
A sheet of paper with it says 'any other Corps in which served in South Africa'
is difficult to read but starts with RHC then is illegible and finishes with 6010.
Any help in learning more would be most appreciated...thanks.
I am searching for information about my wife's (Anna Rowland nee Crew) Great Grandfather James Alexander Ford who joined the war as part of the Third Queensland Contingent listed as soldier 152 in the article published in The Queenslander on March 3 1900. I found reference to 2 soldiers named James Alexander Ford in the name search but listed as part of Bethunes Mounted Infantry with service number 1517 & 1497 both Lance Corporals. I have attached a copy of the article from the Queenslander. Any help in my search would be appreciated.
DEATH OF AN ACTIVE SERVICE VOLUNTEER : MILITARY FUNERAL.
It is only about three months since Private William Bindloss, of the 2nd V.B. Border Regiment, returned from South Africa with the remainder of the Active Service Company, and when the company had landed in Kendal on April 30th it was common remark that he certainly had not lost weight or smartness of appearance in consequence of the hardships which he had had to undergo along with his comrades. He looked extremely fit and well and a "lease of his life" might have been taken. A few days ago, however, his health broke down and he suffered severely from an internal complaint. On Sunday he was removed to the Memorial Hospital for the purpose of an operation, but he succumbed there the same evening. The news of his death was received with general regret. The deceased volunteer, who was only 27 years of age, was highly respected. He joined the Westmorland Battalion in 1892, and when the call to arms was made in the early part of last year, was among the first of the local volunteers to offer his services, and he proceeded to Carlisle, embarking from England for the Cape on March 5th of last year. He was a smart young soldier, and a good comrade. The funeral took place on Wednesday, and was of an imposing character, the volunteers taking part in it. They met at the Drill Hall at two o'clock, and mustered in good force, there being in addition to Captain Illingworth, Lieutenant Cartmel, and Sergeant-Major Esler, and 40 rank and file, a number of the returned active service company, a firing party of 14, and 23 members of the band under Bandmaster V. S. Smith. They marched through Abbot Hall and up Gillingate to the Memorial Hospital, where they were joined by Major Thompson who had command of the Active Service Company, and the relatives and friends of the deceased. The coffin, which was covered by a Union Jack, and a number of handsome wreaths, was borne from the hospital to the Parish Church gates by returning Active Service Volunteers, nearly all of whom wore the pretty ribbon indicating their connection with the war on the breast of their tunics. As the procession came down Gillingate, the band playing Chopin's funeral march, the sight was an impressive one, and the large crowd which had assembled on the route was much affected. The firing party marched with arms reversed as is customary on such occasions. At the Parish Church gates the Active Service men were relieved of the coffin which was carried into the church by his fellow workmen. The preliminary part of the burial service was read in the church by the Rev. A. M. Moss and afterwards the coffin was borne to the cemetery by the Active Service men, and from the cemetery gates to the grave side by his fellow workmen. The scene in the cemetery was a memorable one. The grave was surrounded by hundreds of people, and the solemnity of the service was thoroughly observed. At the conclusion the firing party fired three volleys, and "the camps" on the kettledrum added to the impressiveness of the occasion. In returning to the Town Hall, where they were dismissed, the firing party carried their rifles at the shoulder with fixed bayonets, and the band played "The Old Brigade," "The British Grenadiers," and "Red White and Blue," and in front of the Town Hall a verse of the National Anthem.
(Westmorland Gazette, 20 July 1901)
The memorial plaque in Kendal Parish Church only names those men who lost their lives in the South African War. William Bindloss doesn't seem to be named on any ABW memorials.
In the Baldwin sale this week were an unnamed ABO and DTD. Unlike other medals in this part of the auction which were stamped 'specimen', these two were simply unnamed examples.
Described as:
2256 ANGLO-BOER WAR CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ANGLO-BOERE OORLOG 1899-1902 both sides, Silver (edge unmarked). Test mark on edge, otherwise
as struck, light tone. £80-120
A retrospective decoration created to afford Boer veteran officers serving as members of the Union Defence Forces parity with
their fellow South Africans who had fought on the British side in the war.
2257 ANGLO-BOER WAR MEDAL FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE, VOOR TROUWE DIENST 1899-1902 both sides, Silver, instituted in 1920 (edge unmarked). As struck, light tone. £150-200
A retrospective decoration created to afford Boer veteran officers serving as members of the Union Defence Forces parity with
their fellow South Africans who had fought on the British side in the war.
The ABO sold for £260 and the DTD for £460. The unnamed ABO is more expensive than many named medals.
Does anyone know what the annotations mean on my grandfathers medals rolls for the Kings and the Queens South African medal and clasps.
His name was Robert Maguire 6415 of the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Thanks.
Forum members
Whilst journeying up Soldier's Walk in Queen's Domain, Hobart to visit the Boer War Memorial, IL noticed the illustrated plaque - situated quite close to the said Memorial. The plaque commemorated the Boer War service of Nurse Elizabeth ORR. Elizabeth ORR was born to a large family in Tasmania in 1860, commencing her training as a Nurse at Hobart General Hospital in 1881. Several of the Australasian Colonies did send Nursing contingents to South Africa; not Tasmania. Nurse Orr travelled to SA at her own "discretion and expense" and arrived in Jan, 1900. She joined Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve and served in Military hospitals until 1902. She remained in SA and later returned to Australia.
Upon the outbreak of the Great War, Nurse ORR deducted thirteen years from her age and journeyed to the UK in 1914. She served in the Egypt/Palestine campaigns and was awarded the RRC in Jan., 1919. After an extended and meritorious career in Nursing, Elizabeth Orr died in 1945; her ashes were scattered in Bass Straight. Her medals were displayed in the Graduate Nurses' Museum in Royal Hobart Hospital. IL was not aware of that until he arrived home. On his next visit, he will certainly make it his business to photograph Nurse Orr's medal group - and perhaps add some locations of where Nurse Orr served between 1900 and 1902.
Much of the background to this post was obtained from the Australian Dictionary of Biography and the illustration of Nurse ORR came from a Tasmanian Govt. website.
Regards to all
IL.
Hi I served in my county Yeomanry as my father did before me, but my grandfather served with the Royal Welch Fusiliers in South Africa. He has 3 bars on the Queens South Africa Medal -The Transvaal, Orange Free State & Cape Colony, he also has 2 bars on the Kings South Africa Medal- 1901 & 1902.
John Cooper is a mystery man but, notwithstanding the fact that we know very little about him, it took a brave man to fetch and carry the dead and wounded from the battlefields of Colenso and Spioenkop. He was one of that stamp.
John Cooper
Leader, Natal Voluntary Ambulance Corps
Section Leader, Imperial Bearer Corps – Anglo Boer War
- Queens South Africa Medal with clasps Tugela Heights & Relief of Ladysmith to LR. J. Cooper, Natal Vol. Amb. C.
John Cooper is a bit of a mystery man, despite his medal having come from his family very little is known about him.
He first entered into the picture on 17 June 1874 on which date he married Mary Anne Jones in the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Dordrecht, Cape Province. His occupation was described as that of a merchant’s clerk and we know that he was of full age when he tied the marital knot.
The Coopers, at some point thereafter, arrived in Berkley East, Cape Province where Mary Anne Cooper, in 1882, purchased and ran the Masonic Hotel there. They had a daughter, Maud Matilda Cooper, who married Daniel Brick on 10 April 1893 in Berkley East.
Soon after purchasing the hotel the couple ran into a spot of marital bother. According to a Power of Attorney to pass Deed of Hypothecation signed on Mary Anne’s behalf in Cape Town on 20 August 1886; she had incurred a debt of £600 whilst trying to maintain the hotel. She petitioned the court on 26 September 1890 in what was a very revealing submission wherein she stated that she was married to John Cooper without community of property on the abovementioned date but she was now unable to find him in order for him to co-sign the documents needed to dispose of the hotel.
The problem was that John Cooper had not supported her for “six years past” and that he had left her “some three years ago” for the Transvaal and “is now believed to be residing in Johannesburg in that state”. In consequence of this Mrs Cooper had suffered a loss of business and was desirous of selling the property.
So there we have it. Having married and started both a family and a business Cooper had fled the scene and gone to Johannesburg to seek his fortune without so much as a word to his wife on the subject.
With war clouds having gathered between the Boer Republics of the Transvaal (where he was living) and the Orange Free State and Great Britain Cooper had deemed it prudent to move into Natal which is where he was to be found in late 1899 where, on 10 December of that year, he enlisted with the Natal Voluntary Ambulance Corps and was immediately, no doubt as a result of his age, appointed as a Leader.
The NVAC did sterling work throughout the Natal campaign and were especially active during the early battle at Colenso on 15 December 1899 and the epic struggle on Spioenkop on 22 January 1900. There’s was the unenviable task of having to scurry out onto the battlefield, sometimes under fire, to recover the wounded and dead in order to bring them some succour and relief. In tandem with the Indian bearers under Ghandi the NVAC would run miles with heavily laden stretchers to bring troops back to safety where they could receive medical care in one of the Field Ambulances close by.
As a Leader Cooper was charged with the responsibility of looking after a number of stretcher bearer crews and the task must have been an onerous one. Earning for himself the Queens Medal with the Tugela Heights and Relief of Ladysmith clasps he took his discharge from the NVAC on their disbandment on 12 March 1900 – two weeks after the Siege of Ladysmith had been lifted.
Almost without delay, in fact two weeks later on 27 March 1900 he enlisted with the Imperial Bearer Corps for further service. This Corps took up where the NVAC had left off with the same duties and responsibilities. Appointed as a Section Leader Cooper was attached to both the 4th and 6th Brigade seeing further service in Natal until he took his discharge 30 September 1901. He was more than likely part of the IBC contingent that came under fire from the Boers at Lancaster Hill in Vryheid in December 1900.
What became of Cooper in later life is unknown. According to family sources there was to be no reconciliation with his wife and perhaps he led a nomadic existence until his eventual death.
In the recent April Spink sale a number of Webb family medals were sold dating from the Peninsula to WWII. All the groups have research apart from a QSA and miniature to Lt GT Wynne-Webb RGA which simply states he was the great great nephew of Sir John Webb whose medals are first in the Webb family lots.
The story behind this medal began, not with the medal, but research into discrepancies between casualty rolls and names on Anglo-Boer War memorials. When I published my research on my blog in March this year, little did I know that I would soon be handling the medal within a few weeks.
On the Royal Artillery memorial in London a “Lt GTW Webb” in included, but there is no match in the casualty rolls, Army Lists or Dooner’s biographies of officer casualties, The Last Post. The Register had a record from The Times for 2-Lt GTW Webb RGA attached released at Waterval 9 June, 1900 having been a prisoner of war. It is unusual, even unheard of, for an officer casualty not to be corroborated in at least two sources. So who is the officer on the memorial?
Just to muddy the waters The Register also had a casualty record for Trooper 3783 GT Wynne-Webb Steinaecker’s Horse died of pneumonia, Pietermaritzburg 29 May, 1901. The SAFF casualty roll entry is just ‘3783 Trooper W Webb’. Steve Watt's In Memoriam has both records for Lt and Trooper GTW Webb, but uncorrelated. Bill Woolmore’s Steinaecker’s Horsemen identifies him as GT Wynne-Webb. Bill also has an entry from the WO126 attestation sheets for a ‘George Webb’;
“Born Woolwich, London 3 March 1876. Served pre war in the Royal Artillery for 5½ years and obtained a commission which he later resigned. No occupation, height 6’0”, grey eyes, black hair, tattoo on right arm, address: Horse Shoe Hotel [Pietermartizburg]. NOK: father, Captain H. Webb, 33 Earls Ave, Folkstone, Kent. Not on nominal roll or medal rolls. No further trace in unit.”
Could this be the mysterious Lt GTW Webb? Bill, was so close to matching the two men.
George Theodosius Wynne Webb was born 2 March, 1876 in Woolwich (or Charlton) Kent to Capt (retd) John H and Edith G Webb. Cpt JH Webb had served in the 11th Foot and was a Higher Division Clerk in the Admiralty. The family was comfortably off, they had one or two servants recorded in the census. George, one of three sons, was educated at Merchant Taylors School. His two brothers Andrew Henry and William Vere Brandram were commissioned into the RGA. In September 1894, aged 18, George was commissioned into the Royal Marine Light Infantry. His career came to an end just 10 months later in July 1895 when he resigned his commission. His record in ADM196 darkly notes that “confidential reports whilst studying at RN College” were written. Obviously George was in trouble while studying at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich.
Determined on a military career George gets a commission in the Royal Jersey Militia RA as a route to getting a commission in the regular army. In October 1897 George secures a commission in the RGA. However, on the 12 July 1899 he leaves the Army, he did not resign or was court martialled. Records at the RA Library simply record he left, obviously by agreement and no doubt to save himself and his family from any shame for whatever transgressions occurred. There is no record in the London Gazette I can find. Having failed twice to embark on a military career George did what many troubled young men did and went overseas. George sailed to southern Africa where war clouds were gathering.
George ended up in Ladysmith by October 1899 where he unexpectedly pops up in the Digest of Service for the 10th mountain battery RGA. The 10th mountain battery were stationed in Natal before the war and formed part of Sir George White’s force defending Ladysmith. The Digest records that “Mr Webb (attached)” was among the officers captured at Nicholson’s Nek, "Mournful Monday", 30 October. A hand written marginal note adds “Mr Webb was a civilian”. This ties in with the record from The Times for “Sec Lieut GTW Webb” being released as prisoner of war. Whether George deliberately went to Natal to find former officer comrades is not known. But, he obviously knew the officers of the 10th mountain battery well enough to be allowed to accompany them on their attack. Whether he had a role beyond observer is not known. Like his previous military careers this one, albeit as a civilian, ended quickly and badly; George found himself in the officer’s prison camp in Pretoria for seven months.
On release from POW camp George “Left battery on occupation of Pretoria” as recorded on the medal roll. I cannot help think that in the enthusiasm for the first battles against “mere farmers”, George’s participation was evidence that some British officers did not take the war seriously. By June 1900, officers knew they were in a serious fight and there was no place for civilian hangers-on. Perhaps put off by his experiences George appears to get a job with the customs office in Utrecht, eastern Transvaal (National Archives of South Africa). How long he stuck at this is not known, but the lure of a soldier’s life was too strong. On 9 May, 1901 he enlists as Trooper 3783 Steinaecker’s Horse, claiming 5 ½ years’ service in the Royal Artillery. It is very unlikely he saw any active service as his fourth attempt at a military career came to an end just 20 days later. George died of pneumonia in Fort Napier, Pietermaritzburg and lies in the St George’s Garrison Church cemetery with a fine marble cross over his grave “Erected by his Sorrowing Parents”. The epitaph they chose is, I think, emblematic of a troubled soul, “was lost and is found”; from the Parable of the Prodigal Son.
George Webb’s QSA is correctly engraved to “Lieut. G.T. Wynne-Webb R.G.A.”, the surname an unfortunate error. His name as “Webb, GT Wynne” is found on the roll for the 10th mountain battery (WO100/146p66) appended in a different hand at the bottom of the list of Lieutenants, he has no rank. The medal with two clasps (Transvaal and Natal) was issued 9 April, 1902 with a note to correspondence “93883/19”. What it would be to find that correspondence, undoubtedly his parents and/or brothers petitioned the War Office for a medal engraved as an officer, which of course he was not entitled to. George appears on an Extra Clasp roll for Steinaecker’s Horse (WO100/276p168) and again there is some evidence of correspondence. His entry is crossed out and then re-entered with entitlement to the ‘South Africa 1901’ clasp no reference is made to his previous service or the issue of the clasp, which is not on the medal. There is a large asterisk against his name which is unexplained.
Not only did George’s family secure a campaign medal but they also got his name entered on the corp's war memorial with the rank he did not hold when he “won” his medal. Perhaps securing these recognitions was justice for the family regarding George’s troubles with the RMLI and RGA.
George’s two brothers were Andrew Henry (older) and Willam Vere Brandram (younger) who were both commissioned into the RGA. Andrew served in South Africa on the Western Front and also in WW1 as a Lt-Col. William did not see in any campaign service and emigrated to Canada, he enlisted in the CEF in 1916 for overseas service. I don’t know if he actually served abroad. Andrew’s CMG, DSO group was amongst the Webb family medals sold at Spink.
Thank God no one reads my blog or uses The Register. Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
