8th Hussars Boer War

[AlanMoore]

Hi Izabel.
   I have just become aware of your offer – Thank you.

I am becoming quite desperate in my search for information about my Grandfather and as a long shot I am taking up on your offer of assistance. I have already posted a couple of items on Rootschat under the headings of Dundalk Military Barracks (Ireland,Louth) and 8th Hussars - King’s Royal Irish (Armed Forces).

The only information I have had to guide me so far is from my Father’s Birth Certificate. My father was born 25th December 1900 and his father James Moore is given as Instructor, 8th Hussars of Dundalk Military Barracks. From information implied to me so far, his regiment may well have been in S Africa at this time. Making a few assumptions and applying some elementary mathematics it is reasonable to think that he would not have been in S. Africa during March/April 1900. This seems, at the moment, to be in contradiction with other suggestions offered, regarding postings of this Regiment. As far as I know he attained the rank of Captain though this may have been later. I have photos of him taken in 1912, still in uniform and looking healthy so it seems unlikely that he was a casualty, (if indeed, he ever went to S. Africa.)

I do not know what sort of records are available of military who were posted to S. Africa. If you can suggest any other approach I would be most grateful.

Sorry to be so vague, but this is all I have at the moment.

 I have tried Irish Census record (1901), so far will nil results.

Thank You  Allan Moore

[liverpool annie]

I am becoming quite desperate in my search for information about my Grandfather and as a long shot I am taking up on your offer of assistance. I have already posted a couple of items on Rootschat under the headings of Dundalk Military Barracks (Ireland,Louth) and 8th Hussars - King’s Royal Irish (Armed Forces).

The only information I have had to guide me so far is from my Father’s Birth Certificate. My father was born 25th December 1900 and his father James Moore is given as Instructor, 8th Hussars of Dundalk Military Barracks. From information implied to me so far, his regiment may well have been in S Africa at this time. Making a few assumptions and applying some elementary mathematics it is reasonable to think that he would not have been in S. Africa during March/April 1900. This seems, at the moment, to be in contradiction with other suggestions offered, regarding postings of this Regiment. As far as I know he attained the rank of Captain though this may have been later. I have photos of him taken in 1912, still in uniform and looking healthy so it seems unlikely that he was a casualty, (if indeed, he ever went to S. Africa.)

I do not know what sort of records are available of military who were posted to S. Africa. If you can suggest any other approach I would be most grateful.

Sorry to be so vague, but this is all I have at the moment.

 I have tried Irish Census record (1901), so far will nil results.

Thank You  Allan Moore

Hi Allan!

I've checked some of my resources for James but as you probably already know - it's harder to find soldiers who weren't casualties!!

Here's a couple of sites that may give you some background and some ideas!!

http://www.qrh.org.uk/history5a.htm

http://www.louthonline.com/html/aiken_barracks.html

http://www.eastbournemuseums.co.uk/redoubt/8th_hussars.htm

and of course we'll keep looking!!

Annie 

[AndrewGriffiths]

Hi there
I know this thread is already a bit old, but if you're still interested in your gfather...

My father was also born in Dundalk (in 1905). His father was also in the 8th Hussars. He was a military bootmaker and saddler with the depot - which didn't go to S. Africa.

Still interested?

Andrew

[John915]

Good evening,

If you can find a copy you need to read J. W. Mortons book

8th (Kings Royal Irish) Hussars, Diary of the South african war 1900-1902.

You may find a secondhand copy online.

John915

[AlanMoore]

Andrew
Sorry for not replying earlier, I have only just become aware of your post.
Yes, I am still looking for information surrounding my Grandfather. I do have a few more clues since I originally posted back in 2006 but other than 1 photo circa 1912 I know nothing of his movements post 1900. Perhaps if we can establish if they were both in company over that period we can uncover more detail.
Regards
Alan Moore

[km1971]

Hi Alan

I have to say that I am surprised that you have not found what you are looking for after seven years (?) of searching, as the information is readily available.

Firstly, regarding the Boer War he did not serve – according to the medal roll at least.

For the 1901 and 1911 Irish census anyone living in an institution (including barracks) only recorded their initials. Looking for a JM produces 4-5 in the Dundalk barracks, but all of them were too young to be a Sergeant Instructor.

Your post is a good example of why it is important to link threads together as it was only as I had a few minutes spare that I bothered to check your other posts. And found details off the son born in 1900. Families are recorded in full in the Irish census and here is his wife and two children -  http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai001043824/

Notice than he signs the form.

Form H is the form for the men - with the initials. He is not there, but there are two possibilities. The list ends with Lance Corporals, so other forms may have not been transcribed. Or he is actually the WW listed as the Sergt Instructor of Fencing. The form filler may have confused him with the other WW Staff Sergeant a few lines down. Only a guess, and not really important as his service record is online - http://www.findmypast.co.uk/army-service-records-show-image.action?sdrfnbr=975533018 – so you do not really need his 1901 census form.

Page 10 confirms he is the right man with details of his wife and children’s place/dob.
It also gives his NoK on enlistment – father and seven siblings with (o) being older and (y) being younger.

He was born in Birmingham and originally in the infantry. He did go to SA but only after the Boer War ended.

Ken

[AndrewGriffiths]

Hi there
If you look closely at the page from the 1901 census with the family members, there is a note saying that the head of family is returned on Form H. That's the "House & Building Return Form B1",. James Moore is on page 2 with his full name.
I wish I could find my grandfather's military papers as easily!

Andrew