TOPIC:

Thanks Dave
Superb to find that so quickly.
Alan

Hello Alan,

Not sure if you have seen his SAC papers? If not here they are.













Regards
Adrian

Hi Adrian
Thank you for these files.
I did not know these documents existed.

A lot of personal info in there such as his height/weight/hair and eyes colours which builds a picture of my great grandfather.
As I don't have a photograph of him it all creates an image in the mind.
It also mentions his wife and the details of his children including mentioning my 4 year old grandmother (to be) and their address so some census 1901 work to be done.

It mentions that he had prior military service experience and that he had served in the 3rd Volunteer Battalion Highland Light Infantry so again great news and all new to me.

I guess the crazy part of the papers is the answer to the question -
"If accepted - Do you propose settling in South Africa after completing service in the S.A.C." and he had answered YES.
The reason perhaps why he left his young wife and kids to start a new life for them in the future.

Of course his death in 1902 wrecked that dream.

Mind you if that happened his 4 year daughter would have grown up in South Africa and would never have met my Grandfather (in Scotland) Denis Daly and their children and therefore their grandchildren ... including me ... would not exist !!

Many many thanks
Alan

Hello Alan,

My pleasure, I thought that you would have enjoyed these pages.

All the best with your research.

P/S I grew up just south of you in the little village of Hoton off Loughborough Rd.

Regards
Adrian

Can I ask a question about the Record of Conduct and Service form that is shown above.

It shows that my great grandfather Alexander McNaughton was promoted from 3rd Class Trooper to 2nd Class Trooper by divisional order on 20th October 1901.

Yet the Boer medal I have for him states on it 3rd Class Trooper.

When was the Boer war medals issued ? After the close in 1902 ?

My Grandfather fought in WW1 and his medals were supplied to him after the war in 1919.

The Boer war medal has various clasps on it including a 1902 clasp.
Does that mean it was indeed actually issued in 1902, perhaps after his death early in that year ?

If so why did it not say 2nd Class Trooper on it ?
Unless he was "demoted back to 3rd Class Trooper in the interim ?

If the medal was issued early in 1901 before his promotion that would make some sense and as and when campaigns etc were completed clasps were given out to attach to the medal.

That however doesn't really make sense to me but as a beginner happy to learn.
It seems very messy and unlikely given that the war was still going on.

If the medal was issued in 1902 was it simply a mistake re his military rank ?
Any thought would be most welcome.

Alan

Hello Alan,

As can be seen by the dates on the QSA and Supplementary Roll pages they were drawn up at different times. The QSA Roll in November 1901 and the Supp Roll in 1903.

He is listed as a 3rd class Tpr on both and as the medals would have been issued off these rolls them the rank on the medal is as given to those who named them up. These medals (other than medals issued to Strathcona's Horse on their way home to Canada for which I stand to be corrected) would have been issued from approx 1906 onwards.

Hope this helps