TOPIC:

Orwins service papers are not on FMP, if they have survived they will be in WO126/55-65 at Kew.
He was discharged from the Imperial Light Infantry on the 24th of April 1900, this unit did not have a "provisional battalion" it had eight squadrons and was disbanded in Pietermaritzburg on the 15th of July 1901
The ILI was raised for general service in South Africa and paid for by the imperial government as such he was entitled to be treated by this latter in respect of his injury, moreover, he was, after all, an Englishman.
The B268 proceeding on discharge form is actually in WO97 and relates to his pensionable status with the Royal Hospital and his discharge after treatment for his injury, it does, however, clear this matter up regarding his injury, but, the fact remains that he still must have returned to South Africa well before August 1902 and served again with the SAMIF to earn his clasp, I am still rather surprised that he would have done this given the nature of his injury, a brave boy!

volunteer1860 wrote: Checked Orwin's service papers on FMP - he was discharged at Thorncliffe on 30th September 1900, being unfit for further service, having served 309 days. At that time he was with Provisinal Btn Imperial Light Infantry.

On his form he states "will require passage to SA in January next when my artificial foot is fitted"

volunteer1860 wrote: Checked Orwin's service papers on FMP - he was discharged at Thorncliffe on 30th September 1900, being unfit for further service, having served 309 days. At that time he was with Provisional Btn Imperial Light Infantry.

On his form he states "will require passage to SA in January next when my artificial foot is fitted"

Very good to have found his discharge papers, they are not usually found in WO97 for men of colonial units.

He was discharged from Shorncliffe (Kent) not Thorncliffe. The Provisional Battalion was a holding unit for men from volunteer units awaiting discharge, mostly Imperial Yeomanry as the govt was required to return them to the UK if they wished.

I note the papers state he is waiting for an "artificial foot" - partial foot prosthetics existed. Orwin's use of "fore" and "above" renders his anatomical description ambiguous. And he appears to have travelled to SA in 1901 - or wished to at least.

I wonder why he travelled to Jo'burg in June 1899 - the city was in uproar. The first refugees began to leave in May, 8,000 left by the end of June. He stayed as long as possible - Diana Cammack (The Rand At War) states the last voluntary refugees left on October 18th - "the last day unregistered aliens were allowed to remain". These last to flee went to Lourenco Marques as the railways to Natal and the Cape Colony were reserved for the military.

One other oddity about his service - how does a man with a foot blown off qualify for the Tugela Heights clasp? Is this a clerical error, or was he really "employed in the operations north of an east and west line through Chieveley Station between the 14th and 27th February, 1900, both dates inclusive."

Surely he was in hospital pondering which way was above?

On eggsa.org/ you will see a picture of his parent's grave.

Regards
Meurig

Big Thank You for help with this story. Nice to see the Orwin gravestone - now I know about the website it may provide information on any other families who moved to SA.

Orwin's story has certainly thrown up a few puzzles but that's all part of the interest. There are a few errors in official records, in newspapers and in any transcribed information online.

Off to the archives shortly for more research!

Volunteer1860,

While I don't think this adds anything to your research, there is an entry for him in The Leeds Mercury, Monday, June 11, 1900 which states:

David,
This still staggers me, to actually go back and rejoin the SAMIF, quite outstanding, unfinshed business clearly!
Frank

djb wrote: Volunteer1860,

While I don't think this adds anything to your research, there is an entry for him in The Leeds Mercury, Monday, June 11, 1900 which states: