Nicholas Robert Burcher, 1862-1936 Durban

[Naukit]

Hello,
Would anyone be able to find information concerning Nicholas Robert Burcher's movements in South Africa?
Born in Windsor in 1862, the last trace to be found of him is in London in 1896. He was a printers compositor, not married, and according to the  Probate records from the Master of the Supreme Court (on familysearch website) he was found dead by the proprietor of the Seaside Hotel in Durban who 'saw the dead body' on 27th October 1936.
I'd like to know where he lived and where he worked and what the 'dead body' meant.
Maybe there would be information in a newspaper, but I haven't been able to find any South African newspaper pre-1945 online.
I have found a photo of his death memorial erected by his sister (who lived in London) in Stellawood cemetery.  I also have passenger lists for 1927 when he returned to England to see his sister.
Thank you for any other information you're able to offer.

[ShaunJ]

There was an N R Burcher who served as a private in "No. 20a (Richards & Sons') Company" in the Cape Town and Suburban Town Guard during the Boer War.

There are some mentions of him in the "History of the South African Typographical Union", one as a resident of Pretoria.  https://goo.gl/b8bkNY

I am also seeing references to N R Burcher in Australia, 1888-1891

[ShaunJ]

From the death notice he lived at 9 Kaptein Street, Johannesburg.  Looking at the Will, it appears that he was a freemason (Golden Thistle, Johannesburg) and had worked for the Government Printing Works in Pretoria. He was also a member of the Oddfellows lodge in Sydney Australia.

I think 'saw the dead body' is clear enough - the dead body being the corpse; the mortal remains of the deceased.

[Naukit]

Wow! Thank you so much! I'll look up that information. Interesting that he was in the Boer War. Yes, he travelled to England from Sydney for a visit to his sister in 1927. I thought it was a funny way of travelling from South Africa!
As for the 'dead body' - I saw the probate document on family search and wondered whether he was found in his hotel room or maybe even brought up from the beach, or whatever... That is why I thought there may have been a report in the papers.
I'm so grateful to have your reply as stupidly, I had only looked at the image concerning the administration and didn't realise that the will followed! Now I have seen the complete document with the information relevant to South Africa.
Should you be able to give me a lead on what you have found in Australia, it would be helpful, but I am already more than grateful for your contribution, especially as when i sent the message, I saw the posting on the South African section dated back to 2014.
Thank you so much!
Mary

[ShaunJ]

He was admitted to the Australasian Typographical Union in October 1888

http://wtap.vuw.ac.nz/kiln/text/ATJ18881101.html

[ShaunJ]

A mention in the NSW Police Gazette, 12 August 1891:

N R Burcher, 135 Albion Street - Reported Stolen: Silver English lever open-faced watch No 13041, makers Kendal &  Dent, Cheapside, London

[Naukit]

Thank you so much. It means a lot to me this information and I'm so lucky and grateful that you replied.
Wishing you a pleasant weekend.
Mary

[ShaunJ]

Reading the death notice it seems pretty clear that he died at the Seaside Hotel. The manager signed the death notice on behalf of the proprietor, as the person in charge of the house in which death occurred.

[Naukit]

Thank you.