Boer War Information

[JustineBeer]

Hi - I am trying to find some information on my great grandfather who served in the 6th Dragoon Guards during the Second Boer War from 1899 to 1902 I think it is.

Is there any sites or somewhere I can find out what battles etc. he was in, and if he received any medals. I do have some enlistment papers, but they don't have any other information.

Also I can't locate a 1901 census record for him. Would this be normal if he was serving in the Army during this time?

Any information would be very much appreciated.

cheers
Justine

 

[thecelticbard]

Hi, The 6th Dragoon Guards were also known as the 'Carabiniers'. They were amalgamated in 1922 with the 3rd Dragoon Guards. I've typed into the system both, and then there are sites for the British Army Museum as well as there are records at the National Archives at Kew. Whether any of these will have the information you require is debateable, but it is always worth looking into all of them and sending an email. One of the problems with military research going back to those days is that so many Cavalry and Infantry Regiments have been amalgamated or disbanded, and it is not always easy to find out where any archives of that era are now stored. Good luck with your research, wish I could be more helpful.
Brian

 

[davelambert271]

If you give his details perhaps someone will be able find something

dace

 

[davelambert271]

?

UK, Military Campaign Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1949

Name:
F Beer

Campaign or Service:
South Africa - Second Boer War

Service Date:
1899-1902

Service Location:
South Africa

Regiment or Unit Name:
6th Dragoon Guards

Regimental Number:
4186

Clasps to South African medal - Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901 and 1902

 

[JustineBeer]

Sorry - details of name etc. would help.

William Clark
B 1879 in Clifton, Bedfordshire

Enlisted approximately 1897...I have photos of him in South Africa with his regiment (not in uniform though).

He was also a Farrier Quartermaster I believe it was called.

Again any help would be appreciated. Can you look up the National Archives and download records if they are available? I know in Australia you can if you pay for them, but not sure if the UK records are the same.

cheers
Justine

 

[gortonboy]

Hi,,,if he was in South Africa in 1901,,he will not appear in the uk census.


First name(s)
W

Last name
Clark

Service number
2117

Rank
Farrier Quartermaster Sergeant

Regiment
6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers)

Notes
The Queen's South Africa (QSA) Medal Clasps: Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Relief of Kimberley, Orange Free State

Units
Unit: 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers), Rank: Farrier Quartermaster Sergeant, Number: 2117

 

[gortonboy]

http://www.angloboerwar.com/unit-information/imperial-units/526-6th-dragoon-guards

 

[JustineBeer]

Thanks so much for the information. Is there anyway to find out his records etc. from the National Archives, or any of his military records?

thanks again.

Justine

 

[gortonboy]

Hi,,,his service record for the period 1884-1905,,,,and 1914-1919 both survive. They are available on the Findmypast website.

He served 21 years from 1884-1905,,, Serving in India,South Africa and at home. He then enlisted again in 1914,,serving at home till 1919.
Apart from his South Africa medals,,he received a long service and good conduct medal.
He should also have a medal card from his service during the WW1 period,,i will check.
The records state he was born in Louth,,,not Clifton,bedfordshire ?

next of kin father James Clark of Witham,Alford.

married Betsy Carroll in York on the 29th June 1891.

 

[gortonboy]

as he only served at home during WW1,,It appears he was not entitled to the British war or Victory medal,,so does not appear on the medal card list.

 

[gortonboy]

the records also give a birth year of c 1864,,,so do we have the correct man? by that I mean,,,do you think this is still your William ?

 

[JustineBeer]

Hi - no that isn't the right William Clark. He was definitely born in 1879 in Clifton Bedfordshire. He joined the army in about 1897 as an 18 year old and served at least 12 years, when he left the army in 1909 or thereabouts.

He wasn't in WW1 as he died in 1912 in Bedfordshire.

His wife was Lilla Clark married her in 1908. His father was John Clark.

Thanks again for all your help though.
cheers
Justine

 

[gortonboy]

in that case,,,the Boer war record posted earlier is not for your man.It would also have helped us if you had mentioned his year of death.

 

[horse]

Hi

Something to ponder...

Arlesey is about 5 miles SE of Clifton and about 2 miles W of Stotfold.

1901 - census
Civil Parish: Hornsey
Ecclesiastical parish: Hornsey St Mary
County: Middlesex
RD: Edmonton
Sub-RD: Hornsey
ED: 32; RG13; Piece: 1242; Folio: 9; Page: 10

Samuel Cooper 31
Margaret Cooper 30
Archie Cooper 7
Lillie Cooper 6
Samuel Cooper 1
William Clark 22 [b. Arlesey. General labourer]

Note:
There is one birth for a William Clark in the reg dist that would fit, 1879 Biggleswade. One in 1881 Biggleswade and a William Benjamin Clark 1881 Biggleswade.

Geoff