TOPIC:

Good morning.
You need to do a proper writeup about Mr Barnshaw!
I found a photograph.
RobM

David, Thank you for confirming that this is the same gentleman.

I am also always interested in detailed information about people from this period and these areas and am happy to be able to contribute something.

Your great research about AEL Barnshowe, who was involved as a protagonist in the processes at the BNR / GEA border 1914-1918, is also very
interesting for me. I wasn't aware of the existence of the LIS (Lubombo Intelligence Scouts) either.

Do you know whether Barnshowe was directly involved in the fighting for the Saisi fortification in June and July 1915?
Is there a photo of him?

Cheers Holger

Thanks for your continuing interest in this post. I have very little information on the Lubombo Intelligence Scouts other than that which was posted In the Journal for Army Historical Research. I attach for your interest.

As for his WWI service, I am given to understand that he entered GEA in the first month of the war to cut telegraph lines to hamper German comunications. He is variously described as a farmer, big game hunter, transporter & telegraphist. Hence his position as "scout" & being selected to cut the telegraph lines.I have no knowlege of his possible participation in the fight at Saisi. However from below you can see that is where his farm was situated & I presume he had knowledge of the area.

“The garrison of Abercorn was a mere 12 district police under the District Commissioner, C.P. Chesnaye. On hearing of the outbreak of war, Mr Chesnaye promptly arranged the evacuation of European women and children, and sent out patrols of settler volunteers and natives to watch the movements of the enemy. The news of the war took several days to reach the German post near the border. There was no enemy action until late August 1914 when sporadic raids were commenced by native auxiliaries who cut the telegraph line between Abercorn and Fife. On 1 September a telegraphist went out escorted by 6 African police but found the line intact as far as Saisi”.

AEL Barnshaw farmed in the Abercorn Area of North-Eastern Rhodesia on a farm “Itimbwe” in the Saisi Valley before then war. The farm was used to hold cattle that were moved south to avoid Rinderpest at the start of the war. . The farm was bought by Maxwell after Barnshaw had died complete with valuable cattle “for a mere song”. Barnshaw ran a transport business ferrying stores from Kasama by ox-wagon with a span of eighteen oxen. The conveys would be made up of five wagons.

& yes thanks to RobCT, I now have a picture of the man.

As an aside I have this medal, since repaired, also to a "scout" I presume a collegue of Barnshaw. Unfortunatly 2 of the same rank & name.

Hello David

From the SA Military History Journal

www.samilitaryhistory.org/vol126hj.html

Regards

That is most kind - thank you.