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Hello to all. I am researching the activities of the Army Ordnance Department and Army Ordnance Corps and in particular, any awards for gallantry. I have already explored their role in WW1 and now wish to understand their contribution in South Africa. I have accessed several files at Kew but was delighted to find this site and the forum. I am also interested in discovering if any of my family ancestors (surname Nation) served in this conflict.

Regards, John

Welcome to the forum John. I wish you well with your AOD and AOC research.

There were a few men with your surname in the Boer War. From Ancestry and incouding duplicated, the list is:

A T Nation 42nd Company Royal Engineers
Aj Nation 42nd Company Royal Engineers
F H Nation 25th Division Iy
F H Nation 25th Company Imperial Yeomanry
G Nation 2nd Battalion The P A Somersetshire Light Infantry
G Nation 2nd Battalion Gloucestershire
G Nation 2nd Battalion P A Somersetshire Light Infantry
G Nation Volunteer Service Company 2nd Battalion Somerset Light Infantry
G Nation 2nd Battalion Gloucestershire
H Nation 2nd Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen
H Nation 2nd Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen
H A Nation De Lisles South Australian (5th & gth I B C)
H A Nation 5th South Australian Imperial Bushmen
I I H Nation Royal Engineers
J B Nation Australian Army Medical Corps
J J H Nation 12th Company Royal Engineers
P Nation 7th New Zealand Mounted Rifles
P Nation 7th New Zealand Mounted Rifles
P E Nation De Lisles South Australian (5th & gth I B C)
P E Nation 5th South Australian Imperial Bushmen
R Nation 1st Battalion Gloucester
R Nation 7th Battery Royal Field Artillery
R Nation 7' B/R F A
R Nation 7th Battery Royal Field Artillery
R Nation 7th Battery Royal Field Artillery
T Nation Volunteer Service Company P A Somerset Light Infantry
W Nation Prince Alfred's Guards Mounted Infantry
W Nation 7th Battery Royal Field Artillery
W Nation 7th B Rfa
W Nation 2nd Volunteer Service Company R Warwickshire
W Nation South Australian Imperial Bushmen 4th Contingent
W H Nation 2nd Volunteer Service Company R Warwickshire

Best wishes
David

Hi David and many thanks for your encouragement and for the list of names.

I discovered a few years ago that my great grandfather had fought and died in WW1 and my research uncovered 7 other relatives who had fought in that conflict. Hopefully that research my lead me back to this period.

I note with interest that some Nations served with the Somersets, Glosters and Warwicks, all local regiments associated with our family history. Thanks again, JB

Dear John,

Having only recently joined the forum, I noted your interest on the role of the AOC in the Boer war. I also have a similar interest as I am looking to discover my great grandfather's activity within the AOC during the Boer war. My great grandfather, Captain Alfred Henry Willson, Assistant Inspector of Ordinance Machinery (1873 - 1931) joined the AOC in 1896 as a trooper and was by the time of the Boer war a Staff Sergeant in the AOC. He retired in 1928, having served in West Africa in 1914/15 and France 1916 - 18. I have his medals which include the QSAM; with bars Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transval, as well as the KSAM with bars for 1901 &1902. My great grandfather went on to serve as part of the occupying forces as three of his children were born at Roberts Hospital. Happy to see whether I can assist you in your research as there might well be mutual benefit. Regards Douglas