TOPIC:

I recently acquired a group as follows and would appeal to Forum members for assistance in tracking down what Burns spent 10 years of his life in Penal Servitude for.

The group comprises:

QUEENS SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL with clasps O.F.S./TVL/Laing's Nek & SA 1901: 5631 PTE. BURNS. E. SURR. REGT

1914-15 STAR: 342. PTE. B. BURNS E. SURR. R.

BRITISH WAR MEDAL 1914-20: 342. CPL. B. BURNS E. SURR. R.

VICTORY MEDAL 1914-19: 342. CPL. B. BURNS E. SURR. R.

According to the medal rolls (dated Zandspruit, September 9, 1901 and Lucknow, 16 April 1903) Burns was sent to Prison (Penal Servitude) for a period of 10 years . His medal was issued on 7 September 1905.

Where would I find out when the offence occurred, what it was and where he was incarcerated? I have trawled through FMP's newspaper archives to no avail but would very much like to know what he did time for.

He was back in action in France from 19 October 1915 until being placed on the Reserve on 16 March 1919.

Any pointers would be gratefully appreciated.

I should also like opinions on the combination of clasps - whilst not unique I do find them unusual.

Regards

Rory

Hello Rory

Both FmP & Ancestry have recordsets for criminals, never used them though. I am not sure he served 10 years though. His WW1 3 digit number looks like a Territorial Force number (from ca.1908). He couldn't have joined the TF as a prisoner, nor would he have received his medals as a prisoner. Perhaps he was freed in 1905 and then his medals were issued.

The QSA clasps indicate he probably arrived in Natal after the Relief of Ladysmith in time to join Buller's Army pushing the Boers out of Natal.

Have a look at armyservicenumbers.blogspot.com/ to learn more about his ABW & WW1 numbers.

Regards
Meurig

Thanks for the heads up Meurig

It is all rather puzzling and yet I feel I need to get to the bottom of this as there must be a story there.

Regards

Rory

Hi Rory.....

I had a quick look at the British court archives Regina vs Benjamin Burns but with no luck.....

Can you get into the news papers of the time?????

Mike

I've tried everything Mike - Old Bailey records, FMP records you name it but to no avail.

I'm wondering whether the offence committed might have been in South Africa whilst he was stationed here in which case it will be very hard to find without narrowing the dates down.

Regards

Rory