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Hi Tony

Unfortunately, I don't have access to UK military or other records.

A quick 'name search' on this website, though ( www.angloboerwar.com/?option=com_content&view=article&id=2318 ), brings up one 7217 Private Albert James Atkins, who served in the 16th Company of the 5th Battalion of the Imperial Yeomanry. That company was raised in Worcestershire. If that is your grandfather, then he was a mounted soldier rather than an infantryman.

Hello Tony
Paperwork pertaining to Arthur's latest post.


Dave....

Bromsgrove & Droitwich Messenger 23 June 1900



Although his head wound was slight it would seem, having only been in SA for about 6 months, that it caused him to be invalided home. Normally IY men were discharged a day or two after they returned home, but for Alfred James Atkins it was a couple of months and then he was discharged at Shorncliffe Camp, where there was a hospital, rather than Worcester. So almost certainly received some medical attention on his return but still not discharged medically unfit.

His time with the Imperial Yeomanry (IY) by no means represents his total contribution to the South African (Boer) War of 1899-1902.

After his discharge from the IY in November 1900 he returned to SA and joined Kitchener's Fighting Scouts (KFS) with regimental number 24 - the KFS Medal Roll does not give his dates with the KFS but the remarks column notes his previous service with the IY and his subsequent service in the South African Constabulary (SAC).

The SAC Medal Roll gives his service number as E 3470 and his dates with the SAC as 2 August 1901 to 31 May 1902 when he was discharged time expired.

At the other end of his life I am 99% certain I have found his March 1875 baptism record in Worcester. Also on the 1881 Census living at Timberdine Farm (which I think is the near illegible address given for his father on his service records). His father, William was a farmer and his mother was called Harriett. In 1881 Alfred was the sixth of nine children, all boys except the youngest who was named after her mother. The farm was prosperous enough to allow the employment of one domestic servant. On a Public Family Tree on Ancestry his DoB is given as St Valentine's Day 1875 but how they know that I do not know.

Tony - if he is your grandfather I would be more than happy to email you all the paperwork I have down-loaded, all you need to do is send me your email address, I would recommend using the private message facility to be found on this site. Regards, David.

Hi David
Having trouble with your email address,
Mine is tonysuperc@gmail.com
Thanks for all the info you have found, amazing.
Regards
Tony

Tony - Email just sent with 11 attachments - if it is not in your Inbox best to check your Spam/Junk Box. David.