TOPIC:

Further to the excellent photographs and list of names posted by BereniceUK 3 years ago [ #81201 ] I attach mini biographies of the men listed on the first plaque on the west face of the monument.

1 of 4

THE WESTERN FACE

OFFICERS

WALKER Charles Pope M.B.
Major Royal Army Medical Corps.
Born 11/7/1860 Bedford, the son of John Newman WALKER (1821–1875), a fund holder & Ann WALKER nee FIELD (1820–1902)
Ex student Guy’s Hospital, London commissioned Surgeon Captain 8/7/1886.
Married Lilian Selborne Tamplin in 1894, father to Irene Lilian May born 1896
Died of dysentery on 05/01/1900 at Ladysmith, KwaZulu, Natal
Aged 39

MILLS Sidney
Captain 2nd Battalion The Rifle Brigade. (Prince Consorts Own)
Khartoum Siege Medal Khedive's medal and bar
Queens South Africa Medal, Relief of Ladysmith clasp
Born 5/7/1867, St George’s Hanover Square, London, the son of General Charles James Conway MILLS, 32nd Regiment (1816–1894) & Gertrude MILLS nee WHITBREAD (1826–1909) the daughter of Samuel WHITBREAD.
Resident Bedford Road, Cardington, Bedford.
Married Gertrude MILLS
Wounded on 06/01/1900 at Caeser's Camp, Platrand Ridge, Ladysmith.
Died on 02/02/1900 at Ladysmith, KwaZulu Natal
Age 32
Around 2h45 on the 6th January 1900 the Heidelberg Kommando stormed the eastern end of the Platrand known as Caesar’s Camp which was defended by the 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment and the Kings Royal Rifles. The Boers forced their way between the Natal Volunteers at the foot of the hill and the Manchesters on the hill slope steadily overwhelming the Manchesters’ piquet until they were finally forced back by a bayonet charge by reinforcements from the Gordon Highlanders who arrived early in the morning. Nevertheless the Burghers hung on through the rest of the day until the shrapnel from Goulburn’s 42nd and Abdy’s 53rd Gun Batteries drove them off.
[ www.battlefieldsroute.co.za/


WALDY Richard Walter
Captain 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. 6th Mounted Infantry
Queens South Africa Medal General Service Medal
Born in Kensington, London in the winter of 1868 the son of Alfred Henry WALDY (1827–1881), Captain 6th Regiment, & Georgiana Ann WALDY nee BRADSHAW
(1835–1909)
In 1881 a scholar at King’s School, Sherborne, Dorset.
Commissioned January 1882
Captain 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment Mounted Infantry. Died 22nd Feb 1900 of wounds received at Paardeberg on 18th Feb and was buried on the banks of the Modder River South Africa. He served in the 1st Battalion with the Isazai Expedition in 1892 and with the Chitral Relief Force in 1895.
Inscription on his grandfather's grave in Hanwell Cemetery, Kensington, London
Wounded on 18/02/1900 at Paardeberg
Died on 22/02/1900 at Paardeberg
Age 31

BYRNE Alfonso
Lieutenant 3rd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Remount Department
Born 7th April 1875 Aldershot, Hampshire, the son of Thomas Edmond Byrne (1829–1898) Major General, Royal Artillery, & Eliza Petronila BYRNE ne LARIOS-Y-TASHARA (1832–1897)
Educated at Wellington College, Berkshire.
Commissioned into the 3rd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment in February 1896. Promoted Lieutenant Sep 1897
Died of enteric Fever [typhus] on 11/06/1900 at 8/9th General Hospital, Bloemfontein, Orange Free State
Age 25

DILLON Charles Henry
Lieutenant 1 Battalion The Rifle Brigade Prince Consort's Own)
Queens South Africa Medal
Born December 1877 Beckenham, Kent
The son of The Honourable. Robert Villiers A DILLON (1838-1923), Colonel Royal Artillery, & Harriet Caroline Elizabeth DILLON nee GLADSTONE (1848–1932) of Wooten House, Wooten, Bedfordshire.
Educated at Eton College, Berkshire.
Commissioned into the Rifle Brigade on 16/2/ 1898.
Promoted to Lieutenant in January 1900
Wounded on 01/06/1901 at Blesbokspruit
Died of wounds on 08/06/1901 in 17 General Hospital, Standerton, Gert Sibande District Municipality, Mpumalanga,
Aged 23



DOBBIE Wallace Houston
Lieutenant Orange River Colony Police South African Constabulary
Sergeant 105 Imperial Yeomanry
Queens South Africa Medal
Born 1866 at Lympstone, Devon, the son of William Hugh DOBBIE, (1812–1889), Vice-Admiral, Royal Navy &, Mary Ann Bleadon DOBBIE nee DUDMAN (1827–1893)
Of White Lodge, Liddlington, Bedfordshire
Married Florence SHADBOLT (1860–1935) at Exmouth January 1888
Father to Agatha Ida(1889–1889),Wallace Hugh (1891–1952),
Agatha Geraldine (1893–1922) & Dorothy Beatrix (1895–1938)
He was wounded in action at Orange Springs near Ladybrand.and died of his wounds at Ladybrand, Orange River Colony on 30/11/1900
Buried in the Main Cemetery, Ladybrand Aged 34

HARRIS Eustace Malim
Lieutenant 2 Battalion The Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's)
Queens South Africa Medal
Born 7th August 1874 Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire, later of 36 Alexandria Road, Bedford, the son of The Reverend Frederick William HARRIS (1843–1929) & Charlotte HARRIS nee MALIM (1846–1920)
Killed on 08/01/1901 at Machadodorp eastern Transvaal.

HEMINGWAY Frederick Lawson
Lieutenant Mennes Scouts.
Born 6/9/1872 • Morley, Leeds, Yorkshire, the son of Joseph Matthew HEMINGWAY, a mechanical engineer (1845–1908) & Mary Hannah HEMINGWAY nee LAWSON (1845–1904) later of 85, St John’s Street, Bedford
Killed in action 4/05/1901 near Weltavredent near Standerten.
Age 23

JONES Philip Astell Temple
Lieutenant and Adjutant 8th (The King's Royal Irish) Hussars.
Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902 Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Tugela Heights, Relief Of Ladysmith clasps
Jubilee Medal 1897
Of The Bury, Goldington, Bedfordshire
Killed on 13/10/1900 at Geluk
Aged 25

PAXTON Llewellyn
2nd Lieutenant 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.
Born October 1881 • Westhampnett, Sussex, the son of Llewellyn PAXTON, Colonel, Madras Staff Corps,(1826–1905) & Mary Norman PAXTON nee STODDART (1843–1935) of East Lavant, Lavant, Sussex
In 1891, a student at Southey Hall Boys Preparatory School, Worthing, Sussex
Killed on 16/11/1900 Thaba N'chu, Orange River Colony Aged 19.
SELOUS Harry Dyson
Lieutenant 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.
Born July 1873 Seetapore, Bengal, India, the son of Edric SELOUS Brigade Surgeon Lt. Colonel, Indian Army (1836–1891) & Caroline Josephine SELOUS nee MARGUETTI (1847–1922) of Burlington House, West Hill, Sydenham, Kent
Killed on 18/2/1900 (’Bloody Sunday’) at Paardeberg, Modder River, near Kimberley
Aged 26.

STRONG Charles Powlett
Lieutenant 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment.
Born 9/1/1875 the only son of Charles Isham STRONG (1838–1914) Lt. Colonel Northamptonshire Regiment (4th Battalion Militia) and Magistrate,& Katharine Anne STRONG nee POWLETT Powlett(1838–1923) of Longthorpe Hall, Peterborough.
6th Mounted Infantry
Mentioned in despatches
Distinguished Service Order (Gazette 27/9/1901)
Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902
Killed on 06/06/1901 at Graspan Farm, Orange Free State.
Aged 25

WILMER Altham Browning
Lieutenant 6th Mounted Infantry
2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment.
Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902
Born 15 AUG 1876 • Hassan, Mysore, India, the son of Horace WILMER (1851–1936), a civil engineer & Mary Frances WILMER nee GRAHAM-CLARKE. (1846–1923)
of Mount Stuart, Grove Hill, South Woodford, Essex
Wounded 22/10/1901 at Kafirstad near Harrismith, Orange River County
Wounds - Died on 23/10/1901 at Kafirstad

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS

MASTERSON Ernest Alfred
Sergeant 4049 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal
Born1869 Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, the son of Thomas MASTERSON, an Army Captain and Alice Christina MASTERSON.
In 1891 a 22 year old Lieutenant in the Militia residing with his parents and siblings at Portsea, Hampshire.
Died of wounds 10/03/1901 at Delfontein
Aged 32




THORBY David (or THARBY)
Sergeant 1326 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal
Born 31/12/1864 in Whitechapel, London, the son of William THARBY, a drayman, & Ellen THARBY nee WATSON.
In 1881, a 17 year old errand boy living with his paternal grandparents in Ware, Hertfordshire.
In 1891, a 27 year old Infantryman at Warley Barracks, Little Warley, near Brentford, Essex.
Died: Disease on 31/05/1900 at Bloemfontein
Age 36

FOSTER Albert Edward
Sergeant 2738 2nd Battalion The Duke of Cambridge’s Own Middlesex Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal
Born 28/4/1872 Clifton, Bedfordshire, the son of Walter James FOSTER, a general labourer & Hannah FOSTER nee COWLAND.
Enlisted age 15 27/11/1887.
Promoted Sergeant 11/2/1896
Completed 10 years service 19/12/1897. Employed as a potman.
Recalled to colours 21/11/1889
Died in action 24/01/1900 Spion Kop, Natal
Age 28

WEST Ernest James
L/Sergeant 3978 19th (Queen Alexandra's Own Royal) Hussars, Prince of Wales Own
Queens South Africa Medal
Belfast, Orange Free State, Laing's Nek & South Africa Clasps
Born in the autumn of 1875 at Higham Gobion, Ampthill, Bedfordshire, the son of Samuel WEST, a farm labourer, & Emma WEST nee NASH.
In 1891 a farm labourer.
Killed on 16/08/1901 at Vrieskraal
Vrieskraal was a farm in the current Marble Hall district of the Eastern Transvaal (now Limpopo). On 16 August 1901 a detachment of the 19th Hussars were ambushed on the farm by a Boer commando under the command of General Muller. Five of the Hussars were killed and a number taken prisoner. Battle Tours ZA

COX James B
Corporal 5380 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal
Died: Disease on 02/06/1900 at Winburg
Not yet identified in civil records



MURRAY George
Corporal 4221 2nd Mounted Infantry Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal
Died: Enteric on 07/05/1900 at Bloemfontein
Not yet identified in civil records

NICHOLLS [sic] William
Corporal 5669 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Sergeant W. NICHOLL 5669 in Army Rolls
Died of disease. Bloemfontein, 27 April 1900
2nd Battalion.
Source: South African Field Force Casualty Roll
Not yet identified in civil records

SILLS James
Corporal 690 3rd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal
Died: Enteric on 07/05/1900 at Bloemfontein
Not yet identified in civil records

STANNARD Edward Ebenezer
Corporal 2953 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment& 6th Mounted Infantry
Queens South Africa Medal
Died of disease on 19/12/1900 at Kroonstad
Not yet identified in civil records however the only combination of these names in the England & Wales birth records for the appropriate period refers to …
Ebenezer Edward STANNARD born 1872 Halstead, Middlesex, the son of Joseph Stannard, worker in gas works, & Jane Elizabeth DOWLING, of Ealing Road, Brentford … for whom there is no civil death record.

TENNANT William
L-Corporal 14985 28 (Beds) Coy 4 Bn Imperial Yeomanry (Comptons Horse)
Born 15/4/1877 at Walworth, Surrey. The son of William Drysdale TENNANT M.D. (1850-1882) a surgeon, & Sophia TENNANT nee WOOLFORD (1852-1882) of 30 Lambert Road, Brixton Rise, Surrey.
In 1891, orphaned, shown as a 13 year old lodger with his twin brother Charles with Samuel STEPHENS and his family, a blacksmith in Uckfield, Sussex.
Enlisted Colchester, Essex 6/1/1900 aged 22 years 9 months, occupation shown as ‘farmer’
Queens South Africa Medal with Johannesburg, Cape Colony, Orange Free State clasps
Killed in action 1/11/1900 at Klipfontein
Age 23




WILLIAMS Alfred
Corporal 5204 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment
Killed on 18/02/1900 at Paardeberg
Not yet identified in civil records

HAYES Herbert George
Corporal 12722 Army Service Corps
Born in the first quarter of 1879 in Bedford, the son of Thomas HAYES, born Ireland (1827-1907) a Sergeant Instructor (Army) & Frances HAYES nee EASTER (1839-1901) of Bedford Street, Amptill.
Enlisted 22/6/1896 at Bedford aged 17 years 5 months Employment shown as ‘clerk’
Died: Disease on 07/06/1902 at Vryburg
Aged 23

MacEWAN Colin Duncan Lorne (or McEWAN)
Corporal 13304 68th (Paget's Horse) Coy 19 Bn Imperial Yeomanry
Born autumn 1876 in Southsea, Hampshire, the son of Dugald McEwan, Fleet Surgeon, Royal Navy & Isabella Campbell McEWAN nee SMITH
In 1891 living with parents and siblings at 19 Chance Street, Bedford, and later that year, a boy in training entrant into the Royal Navy HMS Brittania, Dartmouth,
Enlisted 8/2/1900 at City of London.
Wounded on 23/02/1901 at Lichtenburg, near Mafeking, Western Transvaal.
Died on 24/02/1901 at Lichtenburg
Age 25

PEGG Albert Edward
Corporal 28312 Royal Engineers 20 Coy(Fortress)
Queens South Africa Medal
Born in the summer of 1870 in Leicester, Leicestershire the son of Joseph PEGG, a railway engine driver, & Maria PEGG nee Davenport, of 23 Kings Place, Bedford
Wounded in action at Roodeval 17/6/1900. Died of his wounds (either at Roodeval or at No 3 General Hospital, Kroonstad, Orange River Colony).

ROE Frederick Henry
Corporal 3916 44th Battery Royal Field Artillery
Queens South Africa Medal
Born In the first quarter of 1865 in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, the son of Alfred Thomas ROE, tailor (1835-1904 ) & Mary ROW nee COOK (1838-1902), straw hat maker of Church Street, Dunstable.
Enlisted 25/9/1883. In 1891 occupation shown as ‘soldier’, living with parents at Church Street.
Died: Ague on 04/02/1901 at Wynberg
Age 36


BANTOCK Benjamin Willie
L/Corporal 4616 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal
Born third quarter of 1876 at Great Waldingfield, Suffolk, the son of Henry BANTOCK 1839–1900) a woodman, & Lucy BANTOCK nee UPSON (1837–1912) of Sudbury Road, Great Waldingfield. Married Lily BAYLISS October 1897 • Lichfield, Staffordshire. Father to Willie Herbert BAYLISS (1898-1966) & Cecil Roberts BAYLISS (1900-1980)
Enlisted 28/8/1893 previous occupation a ‘footman’.
Died of disease at Thaba N'chu, Orange River Colony 25th February 1901 and interred at the cemetery the next day .

BARRINGHAM William
L/Corporal 6758 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment.
Queens South Africa Medal
Killed on 19/09/1901 at Slangfontein
Not yet identified in civil records

BURNS John
L/Corporal 3566 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.
Queens South Africa Medal
Died of wounds on 14/06/1900 at Leeuwspruit
Not yet identified in civil records

CAPPELL [sic]
CAPELL Edwin
L/Corporal 5074 1st Battalion The Oxfordshire Light Infantry
Queens South Africa Medal
Born 1876 Whaddon, Buckinghamshire son of James CAPELL (1840–1877) an agricultural labourer, & Hannah CAPELL nee HAYWARD (1843–1912) a lace maker of Ampthill Road, Shefford.
Previous occupation, groom, & signs as CAPELL on attestation form dated 18th March 1896.
Died at home in the autumn of 1900
Deaths Sep 1900
Capell Edwin Age 24
Biggleswade District Vol.3b Page207
Died of consumption on return home Bedfordshire Mercury 3rd June 1904.
Age 24

CROFTS Ernest Septimus
L/Corporal 716 Capetown Highlanders
Born in the summer of 1876 in Bedford the son of Henry CROFTS (1830–1908), a veterinary surgeon & Harriet Ann SHORTT (1838–1920) of Harpur Street, Bedford.
A carpenter
Died: Accidentally drowned on 24/01/1901 the Vaal River, Douglas, Cape Colony
Aged 24

Excellent research. Thanks for sharing.

Part 2 of 4
The Southern Face

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS

ELLINGHAM Charles Henry
L/Corporal 4660 Suffolk Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal
Born 20/7/1881 at Luton, Bedfordshire the son of Charles William ELLINGHAM (1863–1927) a straw hat blocker & Elizabeth ELLINGHAM nee WELCH (1860–1931) a straw hat maker, of Regent Street, Luton, Bedfordshire
Died of disease on 15/06/1900 at Bloemfontein, Orange Free State.

EVERITT Albert
L/Corporal 6648 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards
Queens South Africa Medal
Died: Disease on 14/12/1900 at Harrismith
Not yet identified in civil records

HARVIE Herbert Trecothick
L/Corporal 6005 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment
Bedfordshire Regiment Mounted Infantry
Queen’s South Africa Medal
Born Bognor Sussex the son of Arthur Gough HARVIE (1850–1904), a solicitor, & Emma Frances HARVIE nee STRACHEY (1854–1932) of Woodford House, Upper Bognor, later of 48 Castle Road, Bedford
Killed on 06/06/1901 at Graspan Farm, Reitz District, Orange Free State whilst a prisoner.
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
‘Following this engagement there were accusations of atrocities on both sides’.
Dr Tony Stimson address to Naval, Military and Air Force Club of South Australia 5/10/2023

LAMB
L/Corporal 4673 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment
Queen’s South Africa Medal
Died 0f disease on 09/05/1900 at Bloemfontein
Listed in the casualty rolls as J LAMB, and in the report on the Memorial in the Bedford Times of 25th December 1903 as James Valentine LAMB.
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
NOTES:Not positively identified in civil records however the only combination of these names in the England & Wales birth records for the appropriate period refers to …
James Valentin LAMB, born in summer 1876 in Hertford, Hertfordshire the son of John Henry LAMB (1849–1936) a printer compositor & Mary Ann LAMB nee FITZJOHN (1851–1910). In 1891 a telegraph messenger, living with his parents & siblings at 18 Balfour Street, Bengeo, Hertford.
Births Sep 1876 LAMB James Vallentin Hertford Vol 3a Page 369
For whom there is no civil death record

LEE George
L/Corporal 1507 4th Battalion (Hertfordshire Militia),
Bedfordshire Regiment
Queen’s South Africa Medal
Died of enteric fever on 18/04/1900 at Orange River Station, Kimberley, Cape Colony Luton Times 27th April 1900
Not yet positively identified in civil records

MCNULTY George Henry
L/Corporal 6372 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.
Queens South Africa Medal
Died of enteric fever on 25/06/1900 on SS Bavarian, Off St Vincent Cap Verde
Aged 20
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Notes
Listed as George Henry in the Bedford Times of 25th December 1903
Not yet positively identified in civil records
Possibly: George Henry McNulty Birth Year abt 1879 Secunderabad, Presidency of Madras the son of Michael McNULTY (1848–1929),a Quarter Master Sergeant & Harriett McNULTY nee KNIGHT 1852–1946)
Previous enlistment 16 Aug 1897 Ireland 102nd Foot (R. Dublin Fusiliers) No 3836

MURFIN William
L/ Corporal 4559 Devonshire Regiment
Queen’s South Africa Medal Clasps: Elandslaagte, Defence Of Ladysmith
India General Service Medal Clasps: Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98
Born 13/11/1873 Eaton Socon, St Neots, the son of of George MURFIN, a carman
& Esther MURFIN nee SMITH
In 1891 a 17 year old brushmaker lodging in Leyton, Essex.
Died of enteric fever on 18/04/1900 at Ladysmith

PRESSLAND William
L/Corporal 7481 1st Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps
Son of F. W. PRESSLAND of Park Street, Amptill*
Last posting ~ Chieveley, Natal
Died of enteric fever 17/4 /1900 on passage home*
Place: At Sea. SS Lismore Castle
*Bedfordshire Mercury 13/7/1905
Not yet positively identified in civil records
NOTES;[Not the William Pressland [son of Joseph] born Ampthill 1845. He died 1902 in Redhill Workhouse, Surrey]
Possibly PRESLAND
Indexes of Births, Marriages and Deaths of Passengers and Seamen at Sea, 1891-1922 shows last posting Chieveley, Natal. Died at sea, of enteric fever on 27/04/1900 on SS Lismore Castle
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929 shows him to be born in Uxbridge. The son of Joseph. Enlisted 7/6/1892 previously a labourer.

TELFER Frederick George
L/Corporal 3823 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment
Queen’s South Africa Medal, Orange Free State & Cape Colony clasps
Died of disease on 26/04/1900 at Bloemfontein
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records
NOTES: Listed as G. TELFER in the medal rolls
Listed as Frederick George in the Bedford Times of 25th December 1903
NOTES:Possibly …the only civil matching England & Wales records
Births Mar 1873 Telfer Frederick George Pancras Vol 1b page 205
1881 census at 10 Priory Street St. Pancras Fred G. Telfer age 8 the son of John TELFER, a railway clerk (1833-1890) & Mary Ann TELFER nee DRYDEN (1839-1884)
Orphaned in 1890 at 17 there are no subsequent civil records for F.G.

YOUNG A
L/Corporal 6717 2 Battalion The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Queens South Africa Medal. Cape Colony, Orange Free State & Transvaal clasps.
Died: Disease on 27/12/1901 at Standerton
Identified in the Register of Soldiers Effects (& casualty roll) as A. YOUNG
Father ~ Henry
Not yet positively identified in civil records
On 25th December 1903 the secretary of the committee tasked with the planning for the memorial posted a list in the local press of the names of those Bedfordshire men known to have died during the war, with a request that any names not sent in to the committee be forwarded to him by 5th January. L/Cpl. YOUNG does not appear on the list, suggesting that his name was forwarded by someone local as a result of the press notice.



EVANS Frederick William
Bombardier 14641 37th Company Royal Garrison Artillery
Born about 1872 in Toddington, Bedfordshire, the grandson of William EVANS (1836 -1913) a cattle man & Mary Ann EVANS nee WEST (1836-1911), of Luton Road, Toddington.
His birth is not registered and he is possibly the illegitimate son of one of their three daughters, and as was common in such circumstances, was brought up by William & Ann.
A post and telegraph boy.
Enlisted in 16th R.G.A. in 1891, later transferring to the 37th Company.
Died: Peritonitis on 15/02/1902 at Lydenburg, interred Lydenburg Old Cemetery

PRIVATES 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment

FRANKLIN Alfred George
Private 5708 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal Ladysmith clasp
Born 28/2/1877 at Langford, Bedfordshire, the son of Alfred FRANKLIN (1852-1924) a farm labourer & Lucy FRANKLIN nee BRYANT (1852-1932), a straw plaiter, of Sun Street, Biggleswade.
In 1891, 14 year old Alfred George is an agricultural labourer.
Died of enteric fever on 31/03/1900 at Ladysmith
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford

HOWES Joshua
Private 4293, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment attached 2nd Battalion,
Gordon Highlanders.
Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902 Defence Of Ladysmith clasp
Born in the summer of 1873 in Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire, the son of David HOWES (1834–1913) a fruiterer/greengrocer & Mary Ann HOWES nee BEARD (1840–1891) of Spring Lane, Bassingbourn.
In 1891 an agricultural labourer
Died: Enteric on 24/02/1900 at Ladysmith
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford

TWELVETREE Herbert
Private 5929 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment attached 2nd Battalion,
Gordon Highlanders.
Queen's South Africa Medal
Kings South Africa Medal 1899-1902 Defence Of Ladysmith clasp
Born 17th June 1881 in Union Workhouse Wellingborough, Northamptonshire the illegitimate son of Mary TWELVETREE (1845-1925), a pauper later of Newton Bromswold, Nr Yelden, Bedford,
Died enteric fever on 02/03/1900 at Ladysmith
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Notes: Mary later married Joseph RAWSON in Wellingborough September 1891
2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regimen

ABBISS Frederick
Private 6541 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queen’s South Africa Medal
Died: Disease on 19/10/1900 at Thaba Nchu, Orange River Colony
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

ALDRIDGE John Henry
Private 2533 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queen’s South Africa Medal
Born 1862 Biggleswade
Married Laura Florence BURNAGE (1870) a charwoman, at St Pauls, Bedford December 1889
Father to John Edward (1891) William (1894) & Mary (1896)
In 1891 occupation 1891 ‘a soldier’
Died of disease on 02/05/1900 at Bloemfontein
Age 38
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford

ALDRIDGE Albert
Private 3627 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. Mounted Infantry
Born 1871 Western Underwood, Buckinghamshire the son of William ALDRIDGE
(1851-1903 ), a miller’s waggoner, & Ann ALDRIDGE nee BARRIK(1850-1901)
Enlisted 21/8/1890
In 1891 an infantry soldier at the Bedfordshire Regiment, Training Depot, Kempston.
Killed in action at Graspan Farm, Reitz District, Orange Free State 16/6/1901
Age 30
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford and on his parents grave at St Peter & St Paul Churchyard, Olney.

ANDREWS George
Private 6142 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queen’s South Africa Medal
Died: Disease on 06/05/1900 at Bloemfontein
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

ANDREWS William George
Private 4369 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queen’s South Africa Medal
Born spring 1874 in Royston Hertfordshire the son of William ANDREWS (1843-1917) a brewers labourer & Eliza Ann ANDREWS nee HOLLOWAY (1855)
In 1891 a bricklayers labourer, residing with parents & siblings at 12 Mound Terrace, Royston.
Married Caroline Askew BRADSHAW (1875-1939) in the first quarter of 1897 at Royston.. Father to Caroline May (1897) & Sidney George (1899).
Resided in Riseley.
(Caroline re-married to Frederick HOUGHTON in Bedford in 1903).
Enlisted 16/2/1893 previous employment shown as ‘labourer’
Died of disease on 26/03/1901 at Bloemfontein
Age 27
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford

ARMITAGE Albert
Private 6591 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queen’s South Africa Medal
Born January1881 in Codicote, Hertfordshire the son of George Charles ARMITAGE (1856) a coal merchant’s car man, & Sarah ARMITAGE nee ROFT (1855) later of of North Street, Welwyn, Hertfordshire
Enlisted 12/9/99 previous occupation shown as ‘Labourer’
Died of disease on 28/11/1901 at Kimberley
Age 20
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford

ASHPOLE John
Private 2459 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Attached 6th Mounted Infantry
Queen’s South Africa Medal
Born 29/4/1876 Little Paxton, Huntingdonshire
An agricultural labourer
Wounded 27/12/1900 at Britstown, Cape Colony, and died the following day.
Aged 24
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

BATTEY or BATTY William
Private 6749 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queen’s South Africa Medal
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Died: Disease on 05/03/1901 at Thaba Nchu, Orange Free State
Not yet positively identified in civil records
NOTES:.
Register of Soldiers Effects gives:-
Enlisted 2/3/1890 previous trade shown as ‘horse keeper’
Will beneficiary Uncle John CLARKE, War Gratuity paid to father William

BAVIN Walter
Private 6518 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment / 4th Btn Mounted Infantry.
Queen’s South Africa Medal, King’s South Africa Medal with 1901 & 1902 South Africa clasps
Born 18th July 1883 Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, the son of Edward BAVIN (1850-1917), a tailor, & Mary Ann BAVIN nee LIDGETT (1852-1924)
Enlisted 5/5/1889. Apparently lied about his age on enlistment as posted as a 19 year old deserter from Shorncliffe Barracks, Kent vide Police Gazette 10th April 1900, he was in fact 17.
Died: Disease on 12/05/1902 at Klerksdorpc
Aged 19
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford

BELLAMY Frederick Samuel
Private 4614 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queen’s South Africa Medal
Born 1875 Frosterley, Durham, the son of John BELLAMY (1853–1934), a general labourer & Emma BELEMY nee MAKEHAM (1854–1930)
In 1891 a 16 year old tinman (whitesmith) living with parents and eight siblings at Kempston Up End, Bedford
Died of disease on 17/03/1900 at Naauwpoort, Cape Colony
Age 35
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford


BLUNT George James
Private 6277 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queen’s South Africa Medal
Born January 1881 at Greenford, Brentford, Middlesex.
Son of James BLUNT (1840-1883) an agricultural labourer, & Elizabeth BLUNT nee DEAR (18401917) -of Clarks Cottage, Greenford Green Road, Greenford Magna, Brentford.
Killed on 06/06/1901 at Graspan Farm, Reitz District, Orange Free State whilst a prisoner.
Age 20
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
‘Following this engagement there were accusations of atrocities on both sides’.
Dr Tony Stimson address to Naval, Military and Air Force Club of South Australia 5/10/2023

BRIGHT Arthur Edward
Private 6590 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queen’s South Africa Medal
Died: Disease on 17/11/1900 at Mafeking,Cape Colony.
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

BULLARD / BULLAND Frederick
Private 6433 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queen’s South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony & Orange Free State clasps
Died of enteric fever on 22/05/1900 at Bloemfontein, Orange Free State
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

BURLEY Thomas
Private 4576 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queen’s South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony & Orange Free State clasps
Queen’s South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony & Orange Free State clasps
The son of T BURLEY of Cople
Died of disease on 19/06/1900 at Bloemfontein, Orange Free State
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil record

BURROWS John Robert
Private 6032 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment attached as L/Corporal to
6th Mounted Infantry.
Queen’s South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony, Orange Free State & Transvaal clasps.
Shown on Register of Soldiers Effects as enlisting 6/7/1897 & brother to Amelia, Annie & James
Killed on 06/06/1901 at Graspan Farm, Reitz District, Orange Free State
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

CANNON Edward
Private 6426 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queen's South Africa Medal.
Died: Disease on 04/10/1900 at Bloemfontei
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

CAULDREY Alfred (possibly COULDREY)
Private 6231 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Died of disease on 14/03/1900 at Kimberley
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records
NOTES:
(There are only three CAULDREY births, all female, recorded in the England & Wales birth records, probably COULDREY)

CONSTABLE Francis Henry
Private 921 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queen's South Africa Medal
Born winter of 1866 at St Pancras London, the son of Jonah CONSTABLE (1848-1929), a general labourer/hay binder, & Ellen Maria Howlett CONSTABLE nee EASTALL (1845-1914), of 70, Lattimore Road, St Albans
Married Alice Maude MARTIN (1868-1958) at St Albans Abbey 8/10/1893
Father to Henry (1894), Alice Maude (1895) James Victor (1898) & Arthur (1899)
[Alice Maude re-married to Joseph George COLLINS March 1903 St Albans]
Died enteric fever on 05/06/1900 at Bloemfontein, Orange Free State.
Age 34
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford

CROOK Walter
Private 3154 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queen's South Africa Medal
Died of disease on 05/05/1900 at Bloemfontein
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records
CROUCHER George
Private 4431 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Died of disease 17/5/1900 at Bloemfontein
Queen's South Africa Medal
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

CURL Charles
Private 1692 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902 Cape Colony & Orange Free State clasps
Born summer 1867 at Berkhamstead, Hertfordshire, the son of Alfred CURL (1840–1909), a farm labourer & Charlotte CURL nee HULL (1841–1910) of New Road, Northchurch, Hertfordshire.
Married Clara BLACKWELL (1867–1949) June 1895, Berkhamstead.
Father to Alice Maria (1896) & Kathleen Charlotte(1898–1970)
Died of disease on 27/06/1900 at Springfontein
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford

DILLON Francis
Private 4873 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902
Died of disease on 24/05/1900 at Bloemfontein
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

DIMERY William Rees
Private 4659 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment Attached Mounted Infantry
Born April 1877 Melksham Wiltshire, the son of George DIMERY (1825–1894) a pedlar & hawker,and Mary DIMERY, a pedlar, nee JONES (1833–1905). Later of High Town Road, Luton
Died of enteric fever on 06/05/1900 at Bloemfontein, Orange Free State
Age 23
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford

DUX William Harold
Private 6714 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, attached to 4th Battalion
Queens South Africa Medal Kings South Africa Medal
Died of Disease on 23/02/1901 at Mafeking
Not listed in Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929
Full name listed in the press announcement re the memorial in December 1903.
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

EDWARDS John
Private 3444 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Married Florence Jane EDWARDS nee BLACKWELL (19/12/1873-1951) first quarter 1897 in Bedford.
Father to Edith Ellen (1897–1976) & John Dennis (1899–1976) of 23 Beatrice Street, Kempston, Bedfordshire.
Died of enteric fever on 24/2/1900 at Naauwpoort
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford

ELMER Arthur James
Private 6431 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, Mounted Infantry
Born July 1878, in Great Staughton, Huntingdonshire the son of James ELMER (1846–1908), a sadler, & Frances Burbidge ELMER nee (1853–1904) of The Green, Great Staughton
In 1891 a 13 year old agricultural labourer.
Missing in action at Poplar Grove, 11/3/1900, presumed killed in action.
Age 22
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
…
On a scouting patrol with 3831 STRATTON encountered a patrol of about 50 Boers, who called on them to surrender. They attempted to ride off but were fired on, ELMER died instantly, STRATTON badly wounded was eventually taken to the Boer Hospital at Boshof where he was treated and survived.
Letter from STRATTON published in Ampthill & District News 26/5/1900
Notes: ELMAR in CasualtyRolls

ENDERSBY John William
Private 5593 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Born 4 May 1878 in Wrestlingworth, Bedfordshire.
The son of William ENDERSBY (1854–1916) a farm labourer, & Sarah Ann ENDERSBY nee DAZLEY (1854–1902)
Died of disease 04/05/1900 at Cape Town, Woodstock
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford

FEARY Benjamin
Private 864 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Born 5/2/1863 in Woodhouse, Huntingdon.
The son of William FEARY (1828–1910), an agricultural labourer & Mary FEARY nee CARTER (1828–1911)
Married Elizabeth WILSON in the winter of 1895 in Woodhouse
Died of disease. Pretoria, 28 July 1900
Aged 37
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford


FINCHER Joseph Edward Ernest
Private 4762 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Born in the summer of 1877, the son of Joseph FINCHER (1842–1921, an agricultural labourer & Elizabeth Hodge FINCHER (1838–1895)
In 1891 a 13 years old worker in a silk factory.
Died of disease 30/5/1900 at Bloemfontein
Age 23
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford

FURNEYHAUGH William
Private 6296 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Attached 6th Mounted Infantry
Queen's South Africa Medal
Died of disease 22 Apr 1900 at Bloemfontein
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Notes: Casualty rolls have J FURNEYHUGH
Not yet positively identified in civil records

GARDINER Edward
Private 3730 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Killed in action 16 Nov 1900 at Thaba Nchu
Casualty Rolls have P GARDINER
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

GLASS George
Private 1395 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Died of disease. Bloemfontein, 2 February 1901
Absent from Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

GREAVES William
Private 6230 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal, Cape Colony & Orange Free State Clasps
Died of disease. Winburg, 12 June 1900
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Notes: Not the William Greaves of the Lancs Regt. who died in South Africa 1885.
Not yet positively identified in civil records

GREY John Henry
Private 6190 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment Mounted Infantry
Died of disease. Bloemfontein, 24 May 1900
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

HALES Herbert John
Private 6317 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Died of disease. Winburg, 31 May 1900
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

HALSEY Frederick George
Private 6539 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Died of disease at Thabu N'chu, 5 December 1900
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

HENSMAN William
Private 3401 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Born in January 1871 in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire the son of William HENSMAN, a gardener (1846-192 )and Martha HENSMAN nee LILLIE(1842-1916 )
Enlisted 20/1/1890
Killed in action. Dewetsdorp, Vlakfontein, 19 September 1901
Age 30
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford

HOOKER Charles William
Private 6496 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony & Transvaal Clasps
Died of disease. Mafeking on 2 January 1901
Absent from Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

HOWE Walter
Private 6257 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony & Orange Free State Clasps
Died of disease at Bloemfontein on 28 June 1900
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

HURLEY Thomas
Private 6306 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Mother Nelly sister Eva
Died of disease at De Aar on 3 February 1901
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929 shows mother ‘Nelly’ & sister ‘Eva’
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

KING Willie Ronald Francis
Private 6224 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Witteberg & Cape Colony Clasps
Born in the summer of 1879 at Bethnal Green, London the son of Francis D KING, a school drill instructor (1855) & Mary KING nee BAXTER (1856).
In 1891 a 11 year old schoolboy, living with his parents and five siblings at
14, Southeran Road, Watford.
Died of disease at Naauwpoort on 3rd April 1900
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford

LACEY William James
Private 3774 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
1895 India Medal with Relief of Chitral 1895 clasp
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Witteberg & Cape Colony Clasps
Born in the spring of 1872 in Luton, Bedfordshire, the son of James LACEY (1849–1912), a timber merchant, & Elizabeth LACEY nee WARD (1847–1918)
In 1881 a private in a recruit training barracks at Kempston, Bedfordshire
Married Jessie HARRIS (1875) in Tavistock, Devonshire.
Father to William (1900)
Enlisted 25/2/1891.
Served with 1st Battalion in India
Died of disease at Wynberg on 25 March 1901
Age 29
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Notes: Jessie later married Thomas LANG in Plymouth in March quarter 1906

LIVINGS Alfred
Private 6640 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment attached to 4th Battalion
Mounted Infantry
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony & Transvaal Clasp
Born Little Munden, Hertfordshire, the son of William LIVINGS (1835–1910) an agricultural labourer & Emily LIVINGS nee WRIGHT (1839–1913)
In 1891 an agricultural labourer living with parents and six siblings at Green End, Little Munden.
Enlisted Stevenage 25/10/1899.
Previous occupation shown as ‘painter’.
Killed in action at Maribago on 16 July 1901
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Notes: Daily Express 20th July 1901 gives killed in action at Geysdorp

MAYNARD Edward Charles
Private 6661 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Orange Free State, Cape Colony & Transvaal clasps
Born in the autumn of 1881 at Aspley Guise, Bedfordshire.
The son of George MAYNARD (1861–1947 ), a domestic servant - gardener & Sarah MAYNARD nee MALLOWS (1862–1916)
In 1891 a 9 year old schoolboy living with his parents and four siblings at Salford Road, Aspley Guise.
Enlisted Bedford 15/11/1899
Killed in action at Zeerust, near Vaalkop, 13 October 1901
Aged 18
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford

McGILL Thomas
Private 4751 1st then 2nd Bedford Regiment 2nd Regt. Mounted Infantry
Attached to 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Defence of Ladysmith clasp
‘Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929’ gives siblings Patrick, Martha, Sarah, Mary, Ellen & Margaret.
Died of alcohol poisoning at Bloemfontein on 21 August 1901
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

MEAD William
Private 6459 2nd Battalion attached to 4th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony & Transvaal Clasps
Born the summer of 1880 at Maise Lane, Chipping Barnet, Hertfordshire, the son of William MEAD (1856 ) a labourer & Clara MEAD nee GRIMES (1844 ) a launderess.
In 1891 living with his parents and older brother at 25 New Road, Barnet.
Enlisted Chipping Barnet 5/1/1899 previous occupation given as ‘labourer’.
Died of disease at Mafeking on 27 July 1901
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford

MURRAY G
Corporal 4221 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment Mounted Infantry
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Paadeberg, Dreifontein & Relief of Kimberley clasps
Died of disease. Bloemfontein, 7 May 1900, and interred at President Brand Cemetery.
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

NEWMAN Thomas
Private 878 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal ~Cape Colony & Orange Free State clasps
Died of disease. Bloemfontein, 7 June 1900
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records
NORTON Charles John
Drummer 4154 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony & Orange Free State clasps
Died of disease. Bloemfontein, 12 May 1900
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Notes: 4155 in Casualty Roll
Not yet positively identified in civil records

NUNN John
Private 3827 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony & Orange Free State clasps
Died of disease. Bloemfontein, 13 April 1900
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

PARKER Abraham Walter
Private 2834 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
India Medal 1885 ~ Relief of Chiral 1895 clasp
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Paardegeburg & Relief of Kimberly clasps
Born in the first quarter of 1870 in Bethnal Green, London the son of Richard PARKER
(1836–1890), a jeweller & Mary PARKER nee PARKER (1836–1901)
Died of enteric fever 14April 1900 at Bloemfontein
Age 30
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford

PARKER Richard
Private 6773 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901 clasps
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929 shows ‘Father‘David’ ’
Enlisted 18/4/1900 Preston
Died of wounds at Vlakfontein 0n 20 September 1901
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

PARKINS William
Private 843 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony, Orange Free State clasps
Died of disease. Bloemfontein, 20 May 1900
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

RAMSEY Sidney
Drummer 4499 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Wittenbergen, Cape Colony, South Africa 1901 clasps
Born 1876 in Luton, Bedfordshire the son of James RAMSEY (1837-1891 ), a bootmaker & Emma RAMSEY nee WARNER (1840 ) a straw hat sewer of North Street, Luton.
In 1891 a 15 year old foundry worker living with his sisters Alice and Florence at
122, Hitchen Road, Luton
Enlisted 12/6/1893 Luton
Died of disease. Bloemfontein, 30 May 1901
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford

SANDIFER James John
Private 6550 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony & Orange Free State Clasps
Born autumn 1874 at Wormley, Hertfordshire, the son of the late Robert SANDIFER (1825-1881) a Maltster & Farmer and Mary SANDIFER nee BRIGHT
In 1881 an apprentice draper living with his widowed mother and siblings at East Street, St. Ives, Hertfordshire
Died of disease. Naauwpoort, 23 June 1900
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford

SAVAGE William
Private 6506 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony & Orange Free State Clasps
Died of enteric fever at Bloemfontein on 13 May 1900
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

SHEPHERD Harry
Private 6476 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony, Orange Free State & Transvaal Clasps
Wounded near Reitz on 6th June 1901
Died of wounds at Kroonstad on 24 August 1901
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

SIVITER Albert
Private 6442 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment 6th Mounted Infantry
Posted as a deserter from the 2nd Battalion in Dublin 19th September 1899 when details are shown born c 1877, Dudley Worcestershire.
Died of disease at Newcastle, Kwa-Zulu Natal, on 16 March 1902
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Notes:
Not yet positively identified in civil records
Army Register of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929 lists no relatives or beneficiaries.
Not mentioned in the Campaign Medal and Award Rolls
Possibly Albert John SIVITER born first quarter of 1879. the illegitimate son of Mary Ann SIVITER 9 of New Spring Street, Birmingham for whom there is no civilian death record. The other possibility Albert SIVITER born 1874 Dudley died in Rowley Regis in 1946

SMITH Frederick George
Private 5069 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony, Orange Free State clasps
Died of disease. Bloemfontein, 14 July 1900
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

SMITH Henry
Private 6283 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony, Orange Free State clasp
Died of disease. Bloemfontein, 8 June 1900
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

STEPHENS Thomas
Private 4431 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
1895 India Medal with Relief of Chitral 1895 clasp
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony, Orange Free State & Transvaal Clasps
Died of wounds at Britstown on 27 December 1900
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil records

SUMNALL Alfred
Private 6332 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony, Orange Free State
Died of disease at Senekal on 22 June 1900
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil record


SWAIN James William
Private 6625 2nd Battalion attached 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony & Transvaal clasps
Born in the summer of 1881 the son of William SWAIN 91858) an agricultural labourer, & Susannah SWAIN (1856) of Dane End,Weston, Hertfordshire
In 1891, a 9 year old schoolboy living with hos parents and four siblings at Dane End.
Died of enteric fever at North Stationary Hospital, Mafeking on 3 June 1901.
Interred Mafeking Cemetery, , Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality,
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford

SWALES Thomas
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony, Orange Free State
Private 1476 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Died of disease. Bloemfontein, 15 May 1900
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil record
NOTES: A letter from Pte. SWALES received post mortem by C. Melcomber, Castle Road, published in Bedfordshire Times & Independent 25th May 1900 gives … born Bolnhurst, residing Greenhill Street with wife & three children.

THORN(E) Thomas Charles
Private 5699 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment 6th Mounted Infantry
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Pardeberg, Dreifintein & Relief of Kimberley clasps
Died of disease. Bloemfontein, 20 May 1900
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil record

TROWELL John Thomas
Private 1053 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, Mounted Infantry.
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Wittebergen & Cape Colony
Born in the summer of 1868 in Wittering, Northamptonshire the only son of John TROWELL, (1830-1870) a labourer & Eizabeth M. TROWELL nee MANNERING (1836-1908)a boot maker of Castle Street, Wellingborough.
In 1881 he is a 12 year old shoe worker, living with his widowed mother and elder sister Elizabeth at Castle Street.
Killed in action at Thabu N'chu on 16 November 1900
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Notes: A Wellingborough man named Trowell, a private in the Beds. Regiment was killed at Thab N’chu on November 16th. Bedfordshire Times 30th November 190
Luton Times & Advertiser 28 December 1918


TRUEMAN William
Private 3341 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
1895 India Medal with Relief of Chitral 1895 clasp
Died of disease at the Military Hospital, Lindley, Orange Free State 26 December 1900 and interred at Lindley Cemetery.
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil record

WALLACE Albert
Private 6311 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony & Orange Free State clasps
Died of disease. Winburg, 13 June 1900
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil record

WARD Harry
Private 1063 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Witteberg & Cape Colony Clasps
Died of disease at Bloemfontein on 21 May 1900
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil record

WARD John
Private 3807 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Witteberg & Cape Colony Clasps
Died of disease. Winburg, 26 June 1900
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
Not yet positively identified in civil record

WESTBROOK Ernest Charles
Private 5709 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony & Orange Free State clasps
Born 15th February 1879 at Queenstown Road, Battersea, London, the youngest of ten children of George Thomas WESTBROOK (1840–1902), a whitesmith, & Rachel WESTBROOK nee GOBY (1837–1893).
In 1891 a 12 year old errand boy living with his parents and his older sister Emily at Lord Street, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire.
Died of disease at. Jagersfontein on 14 April 1900
Interred Jagersfontein cemetery
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford.

WHITE William
Private 6607 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony
Enlisted 30th September 1899
The son of William White
A labourer
Killed in action at Britstown, Northern Cape, on 6 March 1901
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford.
Not yet positively identified in civil record

WILSHER John
Private 6558 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony & Transvaal clasps
Born in the summer of 1879 in Kempston, Bedfordfordshire, the second of seven children of William WILSHER (1852) a bricklayer’s labourer & Sophia WILSHER (1858).
In 1891 a 12 year old agricultural labourer living with his parents and five siblings at Bedford Road, Kempston
Died of disease. Mafeking, 22 February 1901
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford.

WILSON William Walter
Private 3689 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony & Orange Free State clasps
Born in the first quarter of 1873 in Tempsford, Bedfordshire,The son of George WILSON (1848) & Hannah WILSON nee LOVELL (1849) of Tempsford’
In 1891 an apprenticed blacksmith to William GOODSHIP of Langford Road, Tempsford
Died of disease at Bloemfontein Hospital 12th July 1901
Aged 28
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford, and a memorial on the north wall of Tempsford Parish Church.

WRIGHT William Arthur
Private 3088 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment 6th Mounted Infantry
Queens South Africa Medal ~ 1895 India Medal with Relief of Chitral 1895 clasp
Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen & Relief of Kimberley clasps
Born Watton, Hertfordshire the son of Alfred WRIGHT (1844 ) a labourer, & Mary Ann WRIGHT nee BROWN (1849) of Watton.
Married Sarah Jane HILLS (1878 -1905) in the winter of 1899
Enlisted 4th March 1889, previous occupation shown as ‘blacksmith’
Killed in action near Hartbeesfontein / Reitz, 6 June 1901
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford, and on his wife’s gravestone at St Peter Churchyard, Benington, Hertfordshire
“IN LOVING MEMORY OF SARAH JANE WRIGHT
WHO DIED July 31st 1905 AGED 27 YEARS
AND OF HER HUSBAND
WILLIAM ARTHUR WRIGHT
2nd BATT. BEDFORDSHIRE REGT
WHO WAS KILLED IN ACTION
JUNE 6th 1901
AT REITZ SOUTH AFRICA”

YOUNG Herbert
Private 3548 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment 6th Mounted Infantry.
Queens South Africa Medal ~ 1895 India Medal with Relief of Chitral 1895 clasp
Queens South Africa Medal ~ Cape Colony & Orange Free State clasps
Born January 1873 the son Joseph YOUNG (1832–1899) a coachman, & Sofia YOUNG nee HAINES (1843–1907)
In 1881 an eighth year old schoolboy living with his parents and seven siblings at Church End, Hatfield.
Enlisted Hatfield 12th March 1890
In 1891 a ‘Soldier Infantry’ at Warley Barracks, Little Warley, Brentwood, Essex.
Killed in action on 6th Jun 1901 at Reitz near Graspan.
Interred Reitz Garden of Remembrance, Reitz, Free State.
Also remembered on the memorial panel at St. Paul’s Church, Bedford,

This report on a skirmish on 16th November 1900 at Thaga N’Chu, between a patrol of the 2nd Bedfordshire Mounted Infantry led by 2nd Lt Llewellyn Paxton, and a larger patrol of Boers under General Philip Rudolph Botha, was initially filed by a correspondent of the Bristol Times and Mirror, and reprinted in several Bedfordshire newspapers.
Lt. Paxton's patrol consisted of himself, L/Corp. Horner, Privates. Young, Gardiner, Trowell, Gosden, Harvey & Duffin.
Lt Paxton, Privates Young, Gardine, Trowell were killed in the action and are commemorated on the Bedford Memorial and the plaque in St Paul's Church, Bedford.
Horner had his horse shot under him and was captured,
Gosden went to the aid of the stricken Gardiner and was captured.
Harvey & Duffin posted to a nearby kopje, witnessing the action, attempted to get back to the main body at Thabanchu but were fired on, Harvey was injured and unhorsed. Duffin got back to camp on foot. Harvey was subsequently recovered and at the time of the report was in Thabanchu Hospital. . The fallen were buried the next day in Thabanchu Cemetery.