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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Jan_down_south on Saturday 09 October 04 15:17 BST (UK)

Title: Boer War Soldier
Post by: Jan_down_south on Saturday 09 October 04 15:17 BST (UK)

Does anyone know how to find out the regiment my grandfather served in when he went out to South Africa during the Boer War.

As far as we know there was no conscription into the Army but perhaps volunteers were sought. 

He returned to the UK in 1904 which was two years after the War ended.  If he was in the Army would he have been allowed to stay there as a civilian?

Any help gratefully received.

Title: Re: Boer War Soldier
Post by: Catherine on Saturday 09 October 04 17:57 BST (UK)

Hi! Jan

You might be interested in having a look at this site, there is also facility to drop the person whose site it is a line, so he maybe able to give you some advice.

http://hometown.aol.co.uk/kevinasplin/home.html

Catherine :)

Title: Re: Boer War Soldier
Post by: Jan_down_south on Saturday 09 October 04 23:47 BST (UK)

Thank you so much for your reply and the link.  I've taken a quick look and it's been very helpful; I have, in fact, found someone of the right name and will now make further enquiries.

I love this site!!!!!!!! It's GREAT!!!!!  ;D

Title: Re: Boer War Soldier
Post by: Catherine on Sunday 10 October 04 08:34 BST (UK)

Hi! Glad you liked the site, Kevin Asplin, seem to update it often.

Also if youi type in your search engine Boer War South Africa, you should come up with lots of sites with info of what went on etc..

Good hunting

Catherine   :)

Title: Re: Boer War Soldier
Post by: Leofric on Monday 11 October 04 22:03 BST (UK)

Jan,

I managed to obtain my G-Uncle's Army Cert from the Public Records office at Kew. He  served in the British Army 1898-1906 including the Boer War. The Cert was very useful and gave his height, weight, colour of hair, eyes, his educational certs, his postings both abroad and home, his medals, and even his drunkenness and the punishments he received for it! Best of all it also gave his next of kin and their address, and also the names and regiments of his two brothers I didn't know existed.
Boer War records are held in file WO97. You can go and look yourself, or you can do as I did and pick out one of the researchers from the GRO website to do it for you.
bettythomson@waitrose.com found my cert and was very reasonable - about £25 I think.

Hope you find your man...

Title: Re: Boer War Soldier
Post by: Kazza on Monday 11 October 04 22:30 BST (UK)

Hi,

In the Beginners we have had a few boer War discussions lately.  ;D  See this link to some useful  websites:

http://www.rootschat.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=13917.0

Kazza.

Title: Re: Boer War Soldier
Post by: Jan_down_south on Monday 11 October 04 23:41 BST (UK)

For Leofric

Many thanks for your message, and I am definitely planning on going to Kew at some point.  I also want to look up my paternal grandfather as well, he was killed in WW1.

I live on the South Coast so it's relatively easy for me to get up to London.

Thanks to Kazza too for the link. 

I've been really stumped as to where to go to get info on the Boer War, and this site is really proving mega helpful!

Jan