TOPIC:

Good day, I registered because I had two grandfathers who served in the Anglo-Boer War. My maternal grandfather was Sapper Henry Softley. I am hoping to trace his medals which included the Hong Kong plague medal. I have a photo of him wearing his medals. My paternal grandfather was Trooper William McKelvin who served in the Imperial Light Horse. I am 86 and live in Perth WA.

Brian - welcome to the Forum and congratulations on having achieved five more years than I have.

Feeding Softley into the name search facility on this site comes up with three hits - the third one looks right and gives the basis (the all important regimental number) for further investigation.



Regards, David (from Pembrokeshire in Wales)

Attestation papers & service record for 26212 Sapper William Henry Softley can be found on Find My Past and they support that he was your maternal grandfather as he also served in Hong Kong.

Born: Portsea, Portsmouth.
Attested: 26/11/1891 and gave his age as 21 years 9 months making him born in early 1870.
Occupation: Bricklayer

Service dates: Hong Kong 14/12/1892 to 22/04/1899 & South Africa 12/03/1900 to 24/09/1903

Gave his father as his next of kin: William Henry Softley, 22 Telegraph Street. Southsea, Portsmouth.

If you private message me your email address (look up to right hand side of your screen) I will email the four pages to you.

Regards, David.

Brian
As I have a long standing interest in the Imperial Light Horse, on a hunch I checked the Kaplan roll of that crack unit to see if there is a match for your paternal GF; William Mckelvin.
Yes - "709 Tpr. McKelvin W, Ist Imperial LH". His QSA medal would have carried the clasps "Relief of Mafeking", "Transvaal" and "Relief of Ladysmith". The roll tells us that he was discharged 12/10/1900.
If you go to Unit Infomation on the panel at left, you might navigate your way to see the adventures the 1st ILH undertook.
Good luck!
Regards
IL.