TOPIC:

I'm trying to track down some information on my great grandfather, Richard Hennessy. He served in the Royal Engineers between 1899 and 1902 in South Africa, and then appears to have stayed in SA and not finished his full 7 years. According to the records I have he would have received the Kings Medal with clasps (Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Laings Nek and Transvaal). I think he served in the 17th Company.

Where would I be able to find more information on this company, and his service? Thanks in advance!

Hello and welcome to the forum.

I have looked on the rolls and see 2373 Sapper R Hennessy serving with the 17th and 20th Companies REs. He earned the KSA (2) and QSA (6) Cape Colony, Orange Free State Transvaal, Relief of Ladysmith, Tugela Heights and Laing's Nek.

There are service papers for him:

Richard Hennessy. Born 1879. From Tremore, Cornwall, England. British Army Service Records 1914-1920.

These documents are available from the National Archives or online at FindMyPast.

Best wishes
David

Thank you for that information. There must have been two Richard Hennessy's though, as my great grandgather was born in Ireland, and the sign up papers for him definitely state that - it does have the 2373 number on it (I found these through ancestry.co.uk). I assume you mean the English National Archives - I will follow up there and with the FindMyPast information.

Once again, thank you for your help!
Fritha

Fritha,

Yes, sorry, the London-based National Archives.

Looking at FindMyPast, the 2373 Hennessy is shown as a Cornwall man.

It will be interesting to see what you unearth.

Best wishes
David

Hi David

I managed to locate the documents at FindMyPast, and that document is incorrectly annotated. I'm not sure where the Cornwall reference comes from, as it should be Lismore, Ireland, but they are the same sign up forms I located previously. Thank you for your help.
Fritha