TOPIC:

Hello to all. I am doing research for the Fort Ontario Historical Site in Oswego NY. My research doesnt involve the Boer War BUT while doing so I came across an amazing story about a Boer War veteran and hope to find more details. James Slattery died on November 21, 1914 at the Fort from injuries received in an athletic event. He was 36 years of age at the time of his death and a Sergeant in the US Army. In his obituary it was stated that he was born in Ireland. It was also stated that his most prized possession was a decoration earned while relieving Ladysmith. The Fort Ontario Historical Site would like to make up a file about Mr. Slattery so I'm hoping some of you may be able to help. Searching this site I find 5 "James Slattery's" a few "J's" a "JE" and a "JP". Is there any chance any of you could tell me which of these veterans may have been the correct one involved at Ladysmith? Thanks in advance for any details you can share.

Doug Bigelow
Oswego, New York, USA

Good Evening Doug......

Just did a quick look through Find My Past and am afraid there were dozens of J. Slattery's......

Had a look but am afraid that I was unable to find him......

Maybe someone has a an account with Ancestry.com and they can look for you.....

Mike

Doug
You have set yourself a difficult quest! I had a quick check through the ABW recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal (just in case); but no J.SLATTERY there. A thought: I understand that, in many cases, the US National Archives does hold servicemen's records going as far back as your 1861-65 conflict. How about doing a check for your man there? If his enlistment papers survive, perhaps he made reference to his ABW service at the Relief of Ladysmith and hopefully the unit he served with - clearly he was proud of the part he played.
Good luck with your quest
IL.

Actually, the reverse is true, in fact there are so very few that would clearly be a possible contender.

QSAMIKE wrote: Good Evening Doug......

Just did a quick look through Find My Past and am afraid there were dozens of J. Slattery's......

Had a look but am afraid that I was unable to find him......

Maybe someone has a an account with Ancestry.com and they can look for you.....

Mike

Campaign medals are often described as "decorations" notwithstanding, any member of the Natal Field who took part in operations to relieve Ladysmith would have been entitled to the clasp and I have to say that I'm struggling to find anyone with that particular name, there was a gentleman in the Imperial Light Infantry who jumped out straight away, but, his name was John.

debaguley wrote: Hello to all. I am doing research for the Fort Ontario Historical Site in Oswego NY. My research doesnt involve the Boer War BUT while doing so I came across an amazing story about a Boer War veteran and hope to find more details. James Slattery died on November 21, 1914 at the Fort from injuries received in an athletic event. He was 36 years of age at the time of his death and a Sergeant in the US Army. In his obituary it was stated that he was born in Ireland. It was also stated that his most prized possession was a decoration earned while relieving Ladysmith. The Fort Ontario Historical Site would like to make up a file about Mr. Slattery so I'm hoping some of you may be able to help. Searching this site I find 5 "James Slattery's" a few "J's" a "JE" and a "JP". Is there any chance any of you could tell me which of these veterans may have been the correct one involved at Ladysmith? Thanks in advance for any details you can share.

Doug Bigelow
Oswego, New York, USA

Doug,

Here is a list of the people called J Slattery who served in the Boer War:

A J Slattery New South Wales Lancers
J Slattery 1st Battalion R Munster Fusiliers
J Slattery 4th Yorkshire Regiment
J Slattery 9th Kings Royal Rifles
J Slattery 27th Company A S Corps
J Slattery 2nd Brabant's Horse
J Slattery 6th Company R G A West N Doy '2
J Slattery 1st Imperial Light Horse
J Slattery 2nd Battalion Manchester
J Slattery Imperial Light Infantry
J Slattery 4th Battalion West Yorkshire
J Slattery 3rd Battalion The East Lancashire
J Slattery 3rd Battalion Kings Royal Rifles
J Slattery 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment
J Slattery 2nd Battalion Manchester Regimant
J Slattery Harbour Officials & Others At Cape Colonial Ports
J Slattery 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment 3rd Battalion Yorkshire
J J Slattery 2nd Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse
J A Slattery Kaffrarian Rifles
J E Slattery 5th Battalion Royal Fusiliers
J P Slattery 1st Battalion Port Elizabeth Town Guard
J P Slattery 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers
J W Slattery De Lisles South Australian (5th & gth I B C)
James Slattery 1st Imperial Light Horse
John Slattery 6th Company Western Division Royal Garrison Artillery

The two probably Irish men are:

1670 Pte J Slattery, 1st Battalion R Munster Fusiliers. He was not involved in the relief of Ladysmith
6061 Sgt J Slattery, 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment. I cannot find his QSA record but the RIR were not involved in the relief of Ladysmith either.

Some of the other men could also have been born in Ireland.

To narrow the search, it would be necessary to cross reference the units with involvement in the relief and then to drill down into each man to see if he received the clasp and to check whether there are any existing service papers.

If you have a subscription to Ancestry, the first part of this would be possible. A subscription to FindMyPast would be needed to check online for service papers.

Best wishes
David