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We have a story that one Walter WILLIAMS was "...in the Boer war, he had something to do with the horses, I researched this and found a reference to a soldier ( I forget what he was officially called) who was injured when two horses with guns behind them crushed his leg...that was Walter"

The Walter in question was born in Llanelly around 1869 and is in Llanelly with his parents at the 1881 census. He supposedly ran away aged 12 and joined a ship, returning to Llanelly aged 21. He is in Llanelly with his first wife and young son at the 1891 census, has a second son around 1895, loses his wife (year unknown), remarries in Pontypridd in Feb 1901, is with his wife and stepdaughter in Ton Pentre at the 1901 census, and is identified as a colliery stoker on his son's Sep 1901 birth certificate.

As far as I know (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boer_war) the Boer Wars were 1880–1881 and 1899–1902.

Given the outline of his life above, could he really have been involved in the Boer War?
And where would I look for the "...reference to a soldier..." mentioned.

TIA
Pete

(There is a vague possibility that this story might apply to a Walter THOMAS, b c.1865 Llanelly)

Thanks Ken,

Knowing that it is actually possible is a very big help!

Just had some more info on the story - "...he would take soldiers ... out to the field then bring the horses back and ... he stopped a cart ... with ... a cannon or something , apparently the horses had bolted and Walter took off and stopped them, getting his leg ... injured ... I dont think he ever had a limp or anything..."

Sounds like he was in some sort of support role - does that give any clues to a possible regiment?

My guess would be that he joined up after the death of his first wife, and came back in time to marry in 1901. But you mentioned that the short-duration service didn't start till 1900? Less likely (but not impossible) that he went after his 1901 marriage, since he had three more children soon after.

Given that it's such a common name, and only 10% of records being online, and having no idea of regiment (or even dates of service), this looks like it's best left for my next trip back to the UK - a few trips to TNA and some concentrated searching may strike gold!

Regarding sources at TNA, these are my first thought about the three mentioned in their guide to researching soldiers:
 

• Muster rolls and pay lists c.1730-1898  - these stop before the 2nd Boer War (1899-1902)?
• Pension records 1702-1913 ? - he wouldn't be entitled to a pension would he?
• Discharge papers 1760-1913 ? - this seems the most likely place we'd find him?

Any comments appreciated.

TIA again,
Pete

P.S. More hearsay - there's talk about a uniform "...red, with his metal? helmet with a feather on it..." that a grandson remembers playing with and seeing photos of (sadly no trace of these now). I guess that doesn't provide any real clues either?

Thanks again Ken.

Good though the advice is, employing a researcher doesn't really suit - see my PS.

A search for Walter Williams in FMPs new Boer War 1899-1902 record set gives 130 hits. None immediately jump out at me, and no Army Service Corps. But I guess the list is a starting point for my 2011 visit to TNA.

I still have family in Llanelli, so maybe I'll check the newspapers at Llanelli library myself on my next UK visit (also the story about Walter disappearing aged 12).

Plus we have one last long-shot - there's a small off-chance that the attic of one of my dad's cousins in Llanelli may contain some stuff relating to Walter Williams. I'm keeping all fingers and toes crossed that the photo mentioned before has survived. But it'll be several months before anybody gets a chance to look though...

Looks like this is avenue of research is going to take a while!

Pete

P.S. Your point about employing a researcher is taken. However, for me (like many people) it's the research itself that's the main interest. I remember (following advice from your good self) searching through a box of soldiers attestation papers at TNA. As I put one soldier's papers aside and looked at the next, I remember my heart quickening, and my hands literally shaking as I realised that this was my Irish great-grandfathers record. That feeling is something I will never forget! Being handed a written report by a researcher just doesn't have that same frisson. I'd prefer to take a few years and do the research myself!

Thanks Ken,

You mentioned before that "...irregular soldiers on a 12 month service were not given red tunics..." Does 'irregular soldiers' = Militia?

Could Walter have been in the regular army and discharged due to injury (the gun-carriage story), making a complete recovery later?

Pete

There is this record
Walter  WILLIAMS
Calculated year of birth: 1869 
Parish of birth: St Pauls
 Town of birth: Llanelli
 County of birth: Glamorganshire
 Age at attestation: 20 years 1 months
 Attestation date: 21 February 1889
 Attestation corps: Royal Artillery 
 Attestation soldier number: 71052

Reference WO97 / 4179 / 97


He was discharged the same year on payment of £10

Jebber