TOPIC:

Hi everyone

The question I want to pose is as above. On it's way to me this week will be a QSA to a F. Wannenburgh named to Warren's Mounted Infantry.

When I asked Kevin Asplin for the attestation papers I was sent those iro the same chap but to Western Province Mounted Rifles. According to Kevin the papers to both units are in the same box at Kew.

Nowhere on either the medal rolls or the nominal rolls does a F Wannenburgh appear for the WPMR - he is there for Warren's M.I. and the Johannesburg M.R. - his other unit.

Does anyone have an answer for this?

Regards

Rory

AFAIK they were two separate units. Both were formed in response to the OFS invasion of Cape Colony in December 1900.

Warren's MI was commanded by Lt Col F.J. Warren. It served in the west coast districts but, according to Stirling, "the corps do not seem to have been in any satisfactory stand-up fight."

WPMR was commanded by Maj Richard Chester-Master and later by Capt C.H. Rankin. It also served in the west coast districts, and saw lots of action. The unit was disbanded in August 1902.

Thanks Arthur - that is also my understanding - how then does one explain the attached?

An inter-unit transfer perhaps? Or, after his three-month attestation in the WPMR expired in April 1901, he re-attested with WMI?

Are his papers from the Johannesburg MR available? They might contain dates of previous service with other units.

The nominal roll is available - his attestation papers I will hopefully get from Kew over the weekend and will let readers know.

Herewith his JMR nominal roll. He's the one at the very bottom of the page.

He certainly got around. Enlisted in the WPMR on 14 January, and ten months later discharged from the JMR, having possibly served in WMI in between. A 3-month enlistment in each, perhaps?