TOPIC:

William Frost

Trooper, South African Constabulary – Anglo Boer War
Sergeant, 4th South African Mounted Rifles – WWI

- Queens South Africa Medal (C.C/OFS/TVL/South Africa 1901 & 1902 to 1441 Tpr. W. Frost, S.A.C.
- 1914/15 Star to Cpl. W. Frost, 4th S.A.M.R.
- British War Medal to Cpl. W. Frost, 4th S.A.M.R.
- Victory Medal to Cpl. W. Frost, 4th S.A.M.R.
- Permanent Forces of the Empire beyond the Seas Long Service and Good Conduct Medal to No. 1436 Sgt. W. Frost, (S.A.M.R.)

William Frost was born in Whickham, Durham on 11 June 1879 the son of John Frost, a Water Man and his wife Elizabeth. At the time of the 1881 England census the family lived in Dunstan, Whickham – a 1 year old William was at home along with his parents and siblings John (6) and Matthew (4). Coincidentally the house next door to theirs was headed up by a John Frost as well although most likely no relation to the family.



Ten years later at the time of the 1891 England census William was an 11 year old school boy. The family had moved to Wallsend in Northumberland where they occupied premises at 4 West View. Mr Frost was still a Water Man and his eldest son, his namesake, had followed suit. As was commonplace in Victorian times the family had now become an extensive one with the addition of siblings Anne (9), Margaret (7), Thomas (5), George (3) and baby Alfred (10 months).

Small wonder then that the advent of the Anglo Boer War at the turn of the century provided William the opportunity to flee the coop and journey to South Africa where his services could be put to use. The Boer War was more than just a regional skirmish although many could have been forgiven for believing the claim made by some that the “war would be over by Christmas”. Starting as it did in October 1899 between the two Boer Republics of the Orange Free State and the Transvaal and the might of Great Britain, it had developed into a guerrilla-type scuffle with fast moving and highly mobile Boer Commandos harassing isolated and stretched-out British lines of communication.

It was into this period of the conflict that a 21 year old Frost stepped, joining the ranks of the South African Constabulary at Krugersdorp in the Transvaal on 20 April 1901. The S.A.C. owed its existence, in the main, to Robert Baden-Powell who realised the need for a strong para-military force, modelled along police lines, to assist the regular army as they attempted to defeat the remnants of the Boer forces. This body of men would fight alongside the army as well as fulfil a policing role in the areas and territory under British control.

Frost was appointed as a Trooper with no. 1441 and attached to the “A” or Western Division. Physically he was described as being 5 feet 7 ½ inches in height with blue eyes and a fresh complexion. He was a member of the Church of England. Little is known about his activities during the war as his personnel file is missing but he went on to earn the Queens Medal with clasps to the Cape Colony, Orange Free State and the Transvaal indicating that he was active in all those territories at some stage. His medal was issued off the roll dated September 1903.

After the Boer War had drawn to a close Frost appears to have elected to remain in South Africa joining the ranks of the Transvaal Police in about 1907 when the S.A.C. had run its course as an effective force. Returning to England for a brief period he joined the Wallsend Chapter of the Free Masons on 18 March 1909 continuing with them as a member until 7 September 1911. He was listed as a Trooper on their books.

Having returned to the Union (as South Africa became in 1910) Frost resumed his policing duties. 1913 was a momentous year in the history of the uniformed forces in South Africa – all the disparate police forces were amalgamated into four regiments of South African Mounted Riflemen whilst the militia regiments were remodelled as well. Frost found himself with the 4th S.A.M.R. and was in their employ when the Great War commenced on 4 August 1914. South Africa’s entry into the war was initially delayed by an internal rebellion by disaffected remnants of the Boer Commandos who couldn’t see their way clear to coming out in support of an Imperial regime with whom they had been in combat. They took to their horses in their thousands in the Western Transvaal and parts of the Orange Free State in a move that forced General Smuts, one of their erstwhile leaders, to mobilise the army in order to suppress them.

In many instances brother was pitted against brother – both being on opposite ends of the divide. Frost and the S.A.M.R. played their part in the affair and it was only after the rebellion was quashed in December of 1914 that a serious effort to penetrate German South West Africa could be made. Frost was one of those called upon to do duty in that territory where the enemy was more the conditions than the Germans. As the Germans retreated they pulled up the railway line and poisoned the water wells leaving South African troops to battle along in the sandy desert with nowhere to replenish their supplies and nourish their horses.

The campaign in German South West ended with a South African victory in Otavi on 9 July 1915 and the majority of men were returned home. Frost, by now a Corporal was awarded the normal three WWI medals and went about his duties once more. Nothing was heard from him until May in 1919 when, on the 16th of that month, a request was made “in the case of No. 1436 Sergeant William Frost”, for the award of the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. This request was granted on 7 August 1919 after his eligibility for the award had been determined.

23 April 1923 dawned with an application by Frost to be re-engaged – this required a medical report to be completed which showed that he required dental work (a common problem in those days). A Medical Board Report completed on 3 June 1922 also mentioned that he had suffered from Malaria whilst in Ovamboland (South West Africa) which was unusual as that medical complaint was most prevalent among the troops sent to German East Africa. As far as his Nervous System was concerned it was found that he had “tremors of the hands and eyelids” and that he had been operated on for Haemorrhoids in 1916. His general condition was found to be “very soft and flabby” – a remedy of was suggested - “with hardening exercises will probably improve greatly.”

The upshot of all of this was that Frost was found to be Fit for re-engagement but that he should be advised to be “inoculated against enteric fever.”

On 23 September 1923 he took passage to London aboard the S.S. “Gascon”. He was described as a Soldier (Pensioner). His destination? 4 West View in Wallsend-on- Tyne, the very house he had left to begin his great adventure all those years ago. Upon his return he resumed his police duties.

Frost never married. He passed away, described as an ex-Policeman, at the age of 65 on 5 June 1944 at his residence – 16 Jessie Avenue, Norwood, Johannesburg. His nephew, Alfred Frost of 49 Ginsburg Street, Flemington, W.1., Victoria, Australia was his sole beneficiary. At the time he effected his last will and testament on 2 May 1939 he was, in the words of the solicitor, “Owing to physical infirmity the Testator is unable to speak but he is able to write with his left hand and he indicated his desires by writing after questions had been put to him in which it was clear he fully understood.”

Soft and Flabby.... ???? Lol......
I guess that's one mans opinion LOL......
We had a man in our unit who was Runner Up in the Mr. Calgary contest and yet he failed his BMI test......

Another great piece..... Thank You Rory.......

Mike

I was fortunate to source a period photo of Frost in uniform, along with his death particulars. Both have been added to the original post.

Rory

Hi,
Thank you for another great research article and great that you sourced a photo of Frost.

I had to smile at the phrase used to describe him, in today's day we would have all the forces of "wokedom" come down on everyone.....