TOPIC:

Hi, I'm hoping that someone can help me please.

I'm with the WFA and am researching a Major Frederick Hardress Chaplin of the 154 Hampshire Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery who died in action at Ypres in 1916. I have the brief De Ruvigny entry for him (attached) in which it says that he "obtained a commission in the Hampshire Garrison Artillery (T.F.) and, in 1901, went to South Africa with the Wemyss' Horse" . The expression "Wemyss' Horse" is ringing a very distant bell in my mind but I can't find anything about it online.

I'm hoping that someone on this forum might be able to shed some light on this so that I can try and flesh out that period of his service.

Very many thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

Cheers,
Simon




..

Hello Simon,

He served as a lieutenant in the 39th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry, arriving in South Africa after the end of hostilities, and therefore did not qualify for a S. African War Medal.

A Captain R.E. Wemyss served with the 39th Battalion, so I imagine either commanded the entire battalion or a company within it.

Neville

I left my response too late and have been soundly beaten by Neville, but nonetheless:

Chaplin was seconded for service with the Imperial Yeomanry on 11 February 1902 (London Gazette 27417 p.1890). While he was a captain in the 1st Hampshire Volunteer Artillery, on the same day he was appointed a lieutenant in the army (London Gazette 27415 p.1734).

Chaplin served in the 39th Battalion, which contained the 171st, 172nd, 173rd, and 174th Companies. One of the battalion’s captains was Captain R. E. Wemyss; that’ll be your man (Army List October 1902, p.141 3p-q).

The battalion left for South Africa in May 1902, 560 men strong – 50 were left behind with scarlet fever. Departing on the “Britannic”, the battalion returned in October, this time on the “Dilwara”.

Hi Neville,

Wow, that was quick! I was just about to switch off for the evening so thanks for the information. I'm far less familiar with sources for the ABW than I am for WW1 so would you mind me asking where you got the information please?

Great stuff, thanks.

Have a great Christmas,

Simon

Good grief, this is a great forum! Thanks for the info P-C, much appreciated.

I really do need to switch off for the evening now but thanks again for replying.

A great Christmas to all.

Simon

Source: "The Roll of the Imperial Yeomanry, Scottish Horse & Lovats Scouts, Second Boer War 1899-1902", compiled by Keven J. Asplin (self-published, Salisbury 2000).