TOPIC:

By 1880 the various small corps in the county had been consolidated into three battalion-sized units, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Monmouthshire Rifle Volunteer Corps. In the following year the Childers Reforms of line infantry saw the three Monmouthshire corps becoming volunteer battalions of the regular South Wales Borderers. In 1885 they were redesignated as the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Volunteer battalions of the South Wales Borderers (the 1st Volunteer Battalion being formed at the same time from the 1st Brecknockshire Rifle Volunteers).

Although the volunteer battalions saw no active service as units, during the Second Boer War they provided volunteer Active Service Companies to serve in South Africa, all of which were attached to the regular 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers, and they received the battle honour "South Africa 1900-02".

The Army Enlistment Act

In 1870 Parliament passed a law that helped to make the regular army more attractive to potential recruits. The Army Enlistment Act, introduced by Gladstone's war minister, Edward Cardwell, allowed short-term enlistments.

This meant men could sign on for a maximum of twelve years, but serve usually six years with the regular army, and the remainder as part of a reserve force.   Service in the reserves would involve only part-time training, but with a commitment to serve wherever necessary if called up.

Having had a quick count of QSA medal rolls to the 3rd Battalion SWB ( As per Ancestry) there are over 40 rolls, average 21 names to a roll give or take.


Example of 3rd Battalion QSA roll.

Hi Dave,
Thanks again Dave. I am going to go with him being a 2nd Batt. Regular doing his 12 years 1890 to 1902.
I don't know if you are interested but the only other S.A I have is quite interesting. James Harries no. 5181 att. 21/1/96. Only received CC and OFS. I assume with 2nd Batt?
1901 Census back in Aldershot. 1911 Colour Sgt. With 3rd Batt. In Brecon. 1/7/14 received L.S.G was CSM. Discharged 25/9/14.
1881 and 1891 Census in Llandissilio. Married Narbeth 1905.
Hope this of interest.
Dave

Hello Dave,

Always interested in soldiers back stories. I try to research all my QSA recipients if the details are available.

James David Thomas Harries born in 1877 Clunderwen / Clynderwyn
5181 Lance Corporal
2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers.
QSA 2 clasps as you mentioned (CC & OFS)  Margin notes record him as being Invalided. See roll paperwork. Location Klerksdorp 10th of October 1901

His father was John Bowen Harries, a schoolmaster. Mother was Annie Jane Harries. 3 brothers, 1 sister.

You mentioned his marriage in 1905. Not sure who he married?
Either Elizabeth Devonald or Sarah Jane Davies.

However in 1951 he died aged 74 and resided at Brynheulog Login.
Estate left to his wife Elsie Muriel Harries.

Many thanks for sharing.


Medal roll


Pension card.

Hi Dave,
What can I say? You are amazing.
Dad was bornin Llanycefn c1853. Mam: Cardigan c.1856. Married Cardigan c. 1876.
Grandad James Harries was a clog maker! b. c1813 in Llanycefn.
1901 Census in Aldershot: barracks in Harrow Road.
1905 married Sarah Jane Davies registered Narbeth. She came from Whitland.
1909 She gave birth to a son Garfield john Harries in Llandissilio.
1911 All three in married quarters in the Barracks at St. Mary`s Brecon.
1916 He was awarded Silver War Badge ( Nov. 2nd ) but that`s pushing it given discharge date.

Are you confident about death?
I couldn`t find them on 1939 Register. A James of the right age was died in Carmarthen in 1927. There is a Sarah Jane of the right age died in Narbeth in 1928.
1939 Reg has Garfield living with a Gwendoline Harries born 1901 so not wife in ( cousin?) in Clynderwen. No sign of his parents.
Once again I am very grateful for your time and patience
Dave

Hi Dave. Its me again.
Sorry you were right about death. To compensate I have found his second marriage. He married Elsie Muriel Curtis or Woodward in Reading in the second quarter of 1946 He was 69. What was he doing there? Still can`t see him on 1939Reg.
dave

Hi Dave,,
Looks like James moved down to London.
1931 to 1939 he is moving around boarding houses. 1939 entry , see document. He is living with Elsie. But not married to her at that point. She looks like the house owner, perhaps he boarded with her whilst working in London. It looks like he got on very well with Elsie and married her 7 years later.





Now we have to find what he got up to in London?

1947 has James & Elsie living in Reading.