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Hello Frank

A good question and one that I hope Forum contributor Elmarie sees and responds to for it is thanks to her that I was able to show this photograph. Elmarie was able to identify Hartman and, possibly, the others as well.

Apropos the age of the photo - I agree 100% that it predates the Boer War. Hartman's marriage certificate (1894) has him as a "Rijtende Dienst Macht" man based in Bloemfontein. The R.D.M. chaps were the Mounted Police Force and, from the research I've done thusfar, were together with the O.V.S. Artillerie as one unit at the time.

Regards

Rory

Rory,

What an interesting man you Sersant is proving to be. Excellent thread!

I have to agree with David......

Fascinating thread and great pictures.......

Mike

Thanks chaps - it gets better!! A chance "search" led me to a letter Hartman wrote from his POW camp in India in early 1903 to his "Tannie Poppie" - I haven't had a chance to translate it yet but it is a commiseration with her on the loss of her brother. (thanks again Elmarie)

I append it for those who are au fait with Dutch.





Regards

Rory

I thought members might like to see what an O.V.S Artillery Corps promotion document looked like. This one is courtesy of the renowned expert on the O.V.S. Artillery, M.C. Heunis and refers to a chap who was promoted to the rank of "Onder Offisier" or "Non Com" as we know it in English.

Major Albrecht's (this one's for Frank!) signature is clearly visible on the document. My man Hartman's would have been dated the same day.



Regards

Rory

Very nice indeed, Rory, I certainly was not questioning this particular gentleman and his state of literacy, whilst he may be regarded by some, including me, as Attila , there can be absolutely no possible doubt whatsoever, that the wretched Hun, he most certainly was.