TOPIC:

Good Morning Gentlemen...…

I am doing a look up on the following Trooper...…

60 TROOPER JOHN ANDREW MARAIS, STEYTLERVILLE DISTRICT MOUNTED TROOPS (WO 100/285)

When I looked him up on FMP I found the same name in 4 different units...….

60 TROOPER JOHN A. MARAIS, STEYTLERVILLE DISTRICT MOUNTED TROOPS (WO 100/285)
557 TROOPER J. A. MARAIS, WESTERN PROVINCE MOUNTED RIFLES (POW released 21/04/01)
23799 PRIVATE JOHN ANDREW MARAIS, CAPE COLONY CYCLIST CORPS (Service 07/01/01-16/02/01 - 40 Days)
75 PRIVATE JOHN MARAIS, DORDRECHT TOWN GUARD

I know, thanks to Rory, reading some of his research that some men served in more than one South African raised unit during the period of the war..... Could he have served in 4 ????? I think that service in Steytlerville and WPMR is a possibility but the other two I am not sure....

Thank You in advance for any information.....

Mike

Mike,

He could have definitely served in 4 units. I have seen up to 9 units for one man.

One reason is that the length of service in a local unit was sometimes 3 or 6 months which may have acted as an encouragement for men to look for service in other units with either more or less action depending on their disposition.

Here is an attestation paper from Brabant's Horse. Many men re-attested after their initial period which is evidenced by the multiple regimental numbers they received.



Chasing the colonial soldiers for the Wepener roll is proving to be very time consuming. I am going to have to choose a clasp with predominantly Imperial service next time, it will be so much easier!

Hello Mike

Service in multiple units is common for the South African colonial units.

For instances like this you need to check the medal rolls to see what cross references are made. My index resolves that - but it isn't finished yet.

I've just looked up this men and the only "same man" according to the medal roll is the one who served in the CCCC & WPMR. There are no other unit cross references for the others.

Regards
Meurig

Thank You Meurig…… One of the things that had me thinking was that the last name was not that common and with the same initial I was trying to put 2 and 2 together...… Still it's good medal to a good unit...….

Mike