TOPIC:

Although he says very little about Driscoll's Scouts, Tylden notes:

Starting as a small unit serving with the Colonial Division - there were 56 of the unit at the Siege of Wepener, the Scouts served with the Eighth Division for a time and then saw service in many areas. In 1901 they were 422 strong. They were distinguished by a green pagri and flash with a feather hackle.

Davies suggests a total of 55 and I have 56 on the Wepener roll with one man being suspected as a roll error.

The attestation papers for local soldiers often include the occupation or trade of the person. This list shows the frequency and range of occupations of over 500 of the men who were present at Wepener.

Accountant. 3
Amalgamator. 10
Attorney. 1
Attorney at law. 1
Attorney's clerk. 1
Author. 1
Baker. 6
Bank clerk. 2
Bar boy. 1
Barber. 1
Barman. 3
Battery (?) Manager. 1
Battery amalgamator. 1
Biscuit baker. 1
Blacksmith. 9
Blacksmith's striker. 1
Boarding House Keeper. 1
Bookkeeper. 8
Brewer. 1
Brick moulder. 1
Bricklayer. 7
Brickmaker. 1
Broker. 3
Bushman. 1
Butcher. 8
Carpenter. 24
Carpenter / amalgamator. 1
Carriage painter. 1
Carriage painter and trimmer. 1
Carrier. 1
Civil engineer. 1
Cleaner. 2
Cleaner, Queenstown Railway. 1
Clerk. 45
Clerk and bookkeeper. 1
Coachman. 1
Coachman dealer. 1
Commercial engraver. 1
Commercial traveller. 3
Compositor. 3
Conductor. 1
Confectioner. 1
Cook. 1
Cook and steward. 1
Cowboy. 2
Cyanide worker. 1
Cyanider. 2
Dentist. 1
Digger. 1
Draper. 2
Drill instructor. 1
Drill sharpener. 2
Electrical engineer. 3
Engine driver. 6
Engineer. 17
Engraver. 1
Explorer and Surveyor. 1
Farm hand. 1
Farm servant. 1
Farmer. 53
Farmer's son. 1
Farrier. 5
Field Officer, Public Department. 1
Fireman. 7
Fish merchant. 1
Fitter. 9
Flour miller. 1
Ganger. 1
Gardener. 2
General dealer. 1
General hand. 1
'Gent'. 1
Groom. 3
Hairdresser. 2
Horse breaker. 1
Horse dealer. 1
Horse trainer. 2
Horseman. 1
Horseman trainer and jockey. 1
Hosier. 1
Hospital servant. 1
Independent. 1
Jockey. 1
Joiner. 2
Journalist. 1
Kaffir Trading. 1
Labour agent. 1
Labourer. 9
Law student. 1
Lawyer's clerk. 1
Litho artist. 1
Manufacturer. 1
Mason. 9
Mechanic. 2
Mechanical engineer. 1
Mercantile clerk. 1
Mercer. 1
Miller. 3
Mine Captain. 1
Mine engineer. 1
Miner. 24
Mineral water manufacturer. 1
Mining speculator. 2
Mining surveyor. 1
Moulder. 1
Novelist. 1
Painter. 10
Painter and decorator. 1
Pastry cook. 1
Photographer. 1
Platelayer. 6
Policeman. 2
Postman. 1
Printer. 6
Printing. 1
Prospector. 1
Pump driver. 1
Railway contracts. 1
Railway man. 1
Ranching. 1
Rangeman. 1
Ranger. 1
Reporter. 1
Rigger. 2
Rigger and wire splicer. 1
Saddler. 6
Sailor. 13
Salesman. 3
Sawyer. 1
School teacher. 1
Seaman. 3
Shipwright. 1
Shoemaker. 4
Shopkeeper. 1
Shunter. 3
Solicitor. 1
Spirit vendor. 1
Standard Bank employee in Johannesburg. 1
Station Foreman. 1
Stationer. 1
Stevedore. 1
Steward. 4
Stockbroker. 1
Stockman. 1
Stoker. 1
Stone cutter. 3
Stone mason. 1
Store keeper. 1
Store manager. 1
Storekeeper. 3
Storeman. 1
Student of science. 1
Surgeon dentist. 1
Surveyor. 3
Tailor. 4
Teacher. 1
Telegraphist. 6
Timekeeper. 1
Timekeeper and clerk. 1
Tinsmith. 2
Town Clerk. 1
Trader. 6
Transport rider. 2
Upholsterer. 1
Valet. 1
Veterinary surgeon. 1
Wagon conductor. 1
Wagon driver. 1
Wagon maker. 1
Wagon master. 1
Wheelwright and wagon builder. 1
Wine and spirits merchant. 1

The group to CSM Field, RE, just sold for a hammer price of £2,400 so that over £3,000 with commission and VAT. Wow!

From the next DNW sale


Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (4) (661 Pte. G. B. Roberts. Kaffrn: Rifles)

Out of 1,939 Wepener men, there are only 11 with no biographical details. This man is one of those 11.

Korporal H G Olivier served in the Wepener Commando so do I presume he was at Wepener, as this was his home district, despite him not listing this in his application? Perhaps like the British issuing clasps for the QSA, he highlighted the successes?

Hi
Which Boer commandos fought at Wepener in the 16 days ,that it lasted?
Chris