Anglo Boer war death 1904

[Valley]

Hi
Please can anyone out there help me
My G Grandfather George Newton Reg number 2681 Dragoon Guards 3rd died in Harrismith S/A in June 1904 and is burried there. he died of illness rather than battle so we are lead to beleive.
I have found a death record for him but when I tried to get death cert for him was told there was no record of this the only number found was sgnt George Newton died Harrismith 1904 and a index number see AB114  for Dragoon Guards.
Do you know where I might obtain this certificate. as not on usual system.
Thanks Val       

[neil1821]

Hi Val,
I see the same record you do. He's on the Army Death Indices 1901-1905 as a handwritten addition/correction.
Since he's on there, there should be a death certificate for him. If not, you may want to talk with someone at the GRO to clarify. He is after all listed on a GRO Index.

By the way, it's a mistake to associate his death in any way with the Boer War. The war was over in May 1902, and since his death was 2 years later he certainly didn't die in battle.

Neil

[Valley]

Hi Neil
I think he died of Dysentry? in 1904 but the army were there untill 1910 I understand so what would he have been doing in 04 if the war had finished I do not know much about this at all. 

Regards Val

[neil1821]

Val,
Don't forget these were still the days of the empire, so the British army would have had standing garrisons in many parts of the world, South Africa, India, Gibraltar, Malta, Egypt, Hong Kong etc etc.

You didn't just find the army wherever there was a war.

You can even compare with today (not days of empire now), when the British army is still in places like Germany, Cyprus, Belize.

[liverpool annie]

I found this snippet Val and Neil ! you may be interested !! 

The military camp of the 3rd Dragoon Guards was established under a ridge (a prolongation of Staffordshire Hill) to the east of the town. The 3rd Dragoon Guards, whose regimental emblem is inscribed on the hillside, arrived in South Africa in February 1901 and remained at Harrismith until mid-1904.

http://rapidttp.com/milhist/vol081sw.html

Annie 

[Valley]

Hi
Thanks for your help on this enjoyed snippet from web site
Neil I have tried again to order death cert we will wait and see what happens it was not long last time they said they could not supply it as could not find it under the name of Person or place or date anyway wait to see.
Regards Val

[liverpool annie]

Oh wow Val !

How cool to have the photo of George AND his headstone !

You are very lucky - what a treasure ! ........ I was looking for a picture of the cemetry when I found the snippet !! 

Annie 

[neil1821]

Great photo Val.

Must date from the period 1889-1893 when the regiment was in Rawalpindi.
He's not a sergeant at this point, but he is sporting a good conduct stripe.

[Valley]

Hi
Yes its brill isnt it I have been in contact with the cem commisson in S/a they app keep up the graves he was very nice gentleman who actually asked for the photo so they knew which plot it was.
I wish I could go out and see it but bit to far away for a quick visit.  
Val