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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Printer on Tuesday 28 March 17 03:56 BST (UK)
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Hello,
I am hoping that somebody might be able to help me. Trooper 1128 James FOX Ist Brabant's Horse, was killed at Vaalkop, on 23 August 1900. I have been searching, reading reports, to try to find out what battle or skirmish Trpr J. Fox might have been involved with.
There is very little information about him that I can find, anywhere.
James Fox was b 1875 Christchurch, NZ (s/o Frederick & Anna Fox, Kent, England. His occupation was Shoeing Smith. He joined the Ist Brabant's Horse. That's all I know.
I would like to know (a) what battle/skirmish he was involved in - August 1900 - and (b) where he might be buried or a monument.
Thank you.
Printer
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Hi Printer,
There is a reference to Vaal in this webpage discussing the history and operations of Brabant's Horse.
http://www.angloboerwar.com/unit-information/south-african-units/303-brabants-horse
Spades
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Two interesting titles from The Gutenberg Project which will provide the wider picture of the campaigns.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/36866/36866-h/36866-h.htm
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/47132/47132-h/47132-h.htm
And this page from the Otago Daily Times is helpful. I would suggest searching Papers Past in depth.
file:///C:/Users/House/Downloads/ODT19000123.1.5.pdf
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Hi spades,
Thank you. I will print-off and read. It's been so frustrating because James Fox wasn't with any of the NZ Contingents, and therefore, not included in their reports and histories. Much appreciated. Regards.
Printer
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There was a passing reference in the Press, 14 September 1900, Page 4.
Mr Fox, of the Zetland Arms Hotel, received a cable message from Sergt-Trumpeter Fox yesterday that a cousin of Trumpeter Fox's, a member of Brabant's Light Horse, had been killed in action in South Africa.
Aha-ish...
see Wanganui Herald, 7 November 1900, Page 2 OUR BOYS.
Spades
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Searching 'Ist brabant's horse fox' I found this list of Wepener recipients which includes your man. I have no idea what this means.
http://angloboerwar.com/index.php/publications/104-wepener?option=com_grid&gid=32_xy_0&p=32
Spades
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Hi spades,
Wow! You are amazing. Thank you.
I have been perusing PapersPast all weekend, but obviously not using the right words. The list of Wepener recipients you have shown goes to the page previously advised, but possibly the list shown is for the QSA clasp, of which there were (4). This is going to keep me busy. Very much appreciated. Regards.
Printer
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QUEENS SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen's_South_Africa_Medal
http://www.medalsofengland.com/medals.php?id=163&medalid=1486
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I'm easily bored, that's all. ;)
Hope I answered your questions. A bit more, though...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Brabant
Interesting as it refers to the Wegener campaign, to quote:
As a Brigadier General of the Eastern Cape troops, his command included: Cape Mounted Riflemen, the 79th Battery, RFA, the Kaffrarian Rifles, the Queenstown Volunteers, part of the 1st Battalion, Royal Scots, and Brabant's Horse. His units operated round the Queenstown/Dordrecht area and moved north to hold the Jammersburg Drift at Wepener, which they did under appalling rain and cold against a superior Boer force led by Christiaan De Wet.
Sounds like a very nasty campaign!
Spades
p.s. I might move the topic across to Armed Forces in case others can offer more. Kia ora.
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Hi spades,
I am "speechless". Thank you. You have provided more information in a few hours than I was able to find in four days! Overwhelming and very much appreciated.
The icing (on the cake) for me is the newspaper report from "Wanganui Herald" 7 November 1900 that you provided! I couldn't believe my eyes when I read the report. How terrible for the family to read that in a newspaper. I had already obtained the Army records, and it mostly consists of correspondence regarding compensation and the medals. Nothing about the actual death of Trooper Fox, who I was told from other information found in a letter, that he was killed instantly by an explosive bullet. So young, a wasted life. Yes, a very nasty campaign sums it up. Regards.
Printer