TOPIC:

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (2) Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (4179. Pte. J. F. Tristam [sic]. 13/Hrs);
[ BWM ]

James Frederick Trustam was born at Enfield, Middlesex on 25 December 1879, son of Alfred and Jane Trustam and enlisted with the 13th Hussars at Aldershot on 7 November 1898. Posted to South Africa on 19 May 1900 he was present at Newcastle on 19 October of that year with the rest of his unit, the Battalion History outlines what happened next, stating:

'Boreman's Farm was burnt by General Talbot-Coke. The next morning patrols were sent out, but about 11 AM the half squadrons posted at Donga Spruit and the platelayer's hut were ordered to retire to their respective quarters, while C Squadron and headquarters returned to Newcastle.'

It was there that the order to march to Umbana reached the unit and as the march set out Trustam was severely wounded in the arm by a sniper. Invalided as a result of his wound on 10 July 1901 he became an Army Pensioner and worked as a cashier from the National Telephone Company in Hounslow.

Enlisting at Shoreditch for service in the Great War on 30 October 1915 with the 3rd Battalion, Queens (Royal West Surrey Regiment) and seeing home service with them (British War Medal 1914-20). Appointed Corporal in 1916 he was finally advanced to Orderly Room Sergeant in 1917, he was discharged on 31 March 1920.

Trustam is recorded as working as Clerk in the Civil Service and living at Banstead, Surrey. He died at Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex on 24 February 1963.

Spink say he was wounded twice but there is only evidence of a single wound on 9 September 1900.

Hi David, I was going through the Spink catalog and also couldn't locate a "double-casualty" entry for Pte Trustam, 4179, 13th Hussars.

In fact I couldn't locate him at all in my hard copy of the South African Field Force Casualty List.

I did manage to locate, on-line, a casualty to a J Trustam of the 12th Hussars with a different regiment number (4191) severely wounded on 9 September 1900 and I agree that this entry could be for him and is a double error in the casualty list.

However, the dates don't align with the description of the engagement described in the catalog so all a bit confusing.

Sturgy - James Frederick Trustam's service papers are on FMP and he is confirmed as number 4191 13th Hussars. the 12th were Lancers not Hussars. Trustam's number for his WW1 service was 6667.

He was invalided to pension and has an extensive file in the PIN 71 series at the NA. The file reference is 71/5757 and confirms his year of enlistment as 1898 and his year of death as 1963.

David

Just to add to the confusion





Probably this information pertains to Spinks double wounding?

Oops...Forgot this bit

Thanks Dave H & Dave F,

As confusing as the journey has been.....your posts have helped to clear it up for me; I agree he's probably a single casualty albeit a serious one.

Regards,
Sturgy