BOER WAR DEATH

[Matt R]

Hello all

I am searching for some help please. Looking for information if possible for a B. OWENS, who served in the Highland Infantry in the Boer War 1899-1902, and who I believe died sometime in the conflict. He was living in Glasgow before he decided to trade his job as a steamship stoker for the life of a soldier, around the Anderston area. I know he is on the Glasgow South African Monument in Kelvingrove, and was a Private.

Any information on him would be appreciated. I believe this man to be my relative but hitherto have not managed to confirm it.

Regards and thanks for reading,

Reayboy

[cati]

From http://www.roll-of-honour.com:

Surname: OWENS, B

Initials: B

Rank: Private

Battalion:1st

Regiment Force: Highland Light Infantry

Event: Killed in action or died of disease or wounds

Reference 1 Glasgow, Highland Light Infantry South Africa Memorial


Casualty lists are  on FindMyPast

Cati

[Matt R]

Thank you Cati,

That's the fella I am trying to investigate. I have no credits for FindMyPast but had a quick look at the Second Boer War records...says B's number was 4408. Also, the connection with Glasgow seems to fit.

Regards and thanks again,

Reayboy

[ladysmith]

Hi Reayboy

4408 Pte. B. Owens, 1st battalion Highland Light Infantry, died of disease at Queenstown 24/6/1901. He is buried in the CofE section of Queenstown cemetery but no individual grave marker survives.

David

[Matt R]

Hello Ladysmith,

Apologies it has taken me so long to get back to you. My exam period started late April and my laptop has since broken.

Thank you for the information provided regarding B. Owens. I now have the deate and location of his death. What confuses me though, is him being buried in the CofE section of the cemetery in Queenstown. He was Roman Catholic. He was also Irish...maybe he fibbed to remove the stigma attached to the Irish in the British Army at the time? I guess he would have gotten away with it...until he opened his mouth and a thick Ulster accent came out!!!

Thanks again,

Reayboy