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Although the caption above relates to an incident in WWI Ware had prior service in the Boer War with the Imperial Yeomanry. Here is his story.

George Lawrence Ware

Trooper, 6th Coy., 4th Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry – Anglo Boer War
Regimental Sergeant Major, 6th South African Horse
Lieutenant, Cape Corps – WWI

- Queens South Africa Medal with clasps Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 & 1902 to 35725 Pte. G. L. Ware, 6th Coy. Imp. Yeo
- British War Medal to 2nd Lt. G. L. Ware
- Victory Medal to 2nd Lt. G. L. Ware

George Ware was born into a lower middle class Victorian family in Ipswich in the County of Suffolk on 9 December 1882. He was the son of William Ware, a Watchmaker, and his wife Susannah, born Pierce.

The 1891 England census revealed that the family were living at 3 Old Meetings Street in West Bromwich. Mrs Ware would appear to have been married before because the eldest child in the house was Gertrude Matt, her daughter and a Pupil School Teacher aged 20. Next came 14 year old William who was a Post Office Boy followed by Maude (11), Lily Mabel (10), George (8) and Herbert Stacey (1). To complete the picture Susannah Pierce, Mrs Ward’s mother was in residence and most likely helping to keep an eye on the brood.

George wasn’t to see another England census on account of the Boer War rudely interrupting the natural order of things. Tensions had been simmering for quite some time between the two Boer Republics of the Orange Free State and the Transvaal on the one hand and the might of the British Empire on the other. That rude, crude old Dutchman Paul Kruger was proving to be recalcitrant and stubborn and was refusing to allow the “Uitlanders” – the term employed for people of normally British descent – the right to vote or any civic powers at all for that matter although he was content to take their taxes and revel in the prowess that they bought to the gold mines and commerce of his small country.

Things came to a head in October 1899 leading to the declaration of war between the protagonists early in that month. Initially popular thinking was that the war would be “over by Christmas” but a number of reverses known as Black Week disabused the public and the government at home in England of this notion.

Ware was only 19 years and 4 months old when he completed the Short Service Attestation forms (One Year with the Colours) at 9 Pall Mall, London on 5 March 1901, and he probably had no idea, other than a vague sense of patriotism and a sense of adventure, of what lay ahead in far away South Africa. Confirming that he was still resident in his father’s house at 112 Glenarm Road, Lower Clapton he was awarded no. 35725 (this later changed to 1986) and the rank of Private.

Physically he was 5 feet 6 inches in height with a fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. Proving just how extensive the medical examination was he was found to have a “slight scar on his left buttock”

Despatch to the “front” was almost immediate and Ware found himself on African soil on 24 March 1901. The movements of most Companies of the Imperial Yeomanry are not well documented and it is largely left to guess work as to where they found themselves during the war. This, combined with the clasps earned by each chap and what they were awarded for, allows us to join the dots as it were with regard to their service. In Ware’s case he was awarded the Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal clasps indicating that he was part of the sweeping drives undertaken by the Imperial forces in what was known as the guerrilla or second phase of the war throughout these colonies.

What also assists us in knowing more about the man and where he was is the most comprehensive set of medical papers I have ever seen in respect of a Boer war man, these form part of Ware’s file at Kew. They show that Ware was suffering with the effects of Enteric Fever, an ailment common to men in the war. A Medical Certificate number 558 completed at the temporary hospital at Bethlehem in the Orange Free State on 7 May 1902 revealed that he had been “ill for 5 days” with “back and head ache”. He was admitted to hospital (Hammock 2) on 26 April 1902 and transferred to 19th Stationary Hospital at Harrismith on 7 May. The Doctor’s comments were that he had a “rising temperature for last 7 days not above 100. Normal last 3 days”

The Medical Certificate recording his stay in Harrismith (Hammock 1) showed that he was suffering from Enteric and that he had not been inoculated. On 19 May 1902 he was again transferred, this time to No. 4 General Hospital at Mooi River. The Doctor’s finding on this occasion was that he “has had an attack of Enteric Fever and is rather week”

Having arrived in Moor River it was found that Ware had contracted Enteric Fever whilst on active service in the Orange Free State in April 1902. His condition was described as “Moderately severe, source of infection not traced” and the remedy proposed was “Rest and liberal diet and extras during convalescence. Much debilitated and anaemic. Transferred to England per transport “S.S. Assayi” – 8 June 1902.”

In a Detailed Medical History of an Invalid (Army Form B 179) completed at Mooi River, Natal at the same time Ware was described as 21 years of age and a Jeweller by trade. The date of origin of his condition was given as 12 April 1902 contracted on active service with the South African Field Force at Bethlehem, Orange River Colony “where Enteric Fever was very prevalent” The Board “concurred in the above report and recommends change to England” So there it was – Ware’s war was over! It wasn’t as if he was missing much, the war itself had ground to a halt three days previously with the signing of the Treaty of Vereeniging on 31 May 1902.

Embarking at Durban on 14 June Ware was returned to hospital in Shorncliffe where he was released after further treatment. His Proceedings on Discharge papers completed on 9 August 1902 initially provided his intended place of residence as 20 Black Horse Road, Walthamstow, Essex but this was amended to read “Public Works Department, Oudtshoorn, Cape Colony. His conduct was described as Very Good and he was credited with service of 1 year 158 days.

As alluded to above Ware had his sights set on returning to South Africa which he intended to make his home. To this end he boarded the “Gothic” on 22 October 1902 bound for Cape Town. We lose track of him until, 14 years later he entered World War One as a combatant but more of that anon – his family, back in England, continued to flourish where, according to the 1911 census, his father was still a Watch Maker but for his own account and the family now had a servant girl all living at 106 Downs Bank Road, Clapton.

Ware was slow to enter the Great War, waiting until 3 April 1916 which is when he completed the Attestation forms for service with the “6de Z.A. Ruiters” – 6th South African Horse – part of the 2nd Mounted Brigade for service in German East Africa at Roberts Heights outside Pretoria.

Confirming that he had been in the Anglo Boer War he was also married, to Mary Agnes Ware and resident ay 19 Kruger Street (he still couldn’t escape the old war horse completely) Langlaagte, Transvaal. Describing himself as a Storekeeper by occupation he was 34 years of age, 5 feet 7 ½ inches in height and had a fresh complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. Interestingly he had a gunshot wound on his right thigh and scars on his left forearm. Could it be that he was wounded in the Boer War? The casualty lists abound with errors so there is every chance that he was.

Having been assigned no. 2858 Ware became the newest member of the 6th S.A. Horse and embarked for East Africa from Durban aboard H.M.S. “Laconia” on 18 May 1916, disembarking at Kilindini on 24 May. Promotion was rapid, no doubt because of his experienced years, and he became first a Staff Sergeant on 17 September 1916 and then Regimental Sergeant Major on 20 December 1916. The East African conflict was not; as Smuts put it “a white man’s war” troops of European descent were unsuited to the tropical climate which oozed disease with every mosquito and fly that plagued the men. Black water fever and Malaria were the order of the day and accounted for more casualties than the German sand their Askaris ever could. Smuts took a decision to repatriate to the Union all European troops and this was effected, by and large, by the end of December 1916. Ware was one of these and disembarked at Cape Town ex H.M.T. “Ingoma” on 19 December 1916. After hospital treatment at Wynberg he was discharged on 1 March 1917. His Discharge papers rated his Military Character as Very Good and he was credited with service of 335 days.

This could so very easily have been the end of the road for Ware but he was made of sterner stuff and on 17 July 1917, now fully recovered from his earlier ill health, was commissioned into the 1st Battalion of the Cape Corps for service in German East Africa as a 2nd Lieutenant. Taken on strength of the overseas depot on 23 July 1917 he was all set for action again entraining at Woltemade station on 25 August and embarking at Durban on arrival in Natal aboard the H.M.T “Princess”.

Ware was almost immediately involved in the operations in the Lindi area which took place from October to December 1917. By the beginning of October the 1st Cape Corps had re-built its strength to over 1200 men and the battalion was ordered to join the British troops fighting in the Lindi area in south-east German East Africa. The heaviest and most intensive and costly fighting of the campaign had recently occurred in the Mahiwa-Nyangao area, and the strong, fit Cape Corps soldiers provided a welcome boost to the battle-weary British columns advancing westwards. Ware was sent from Morogoro to complete the establishment.

The story is taken up by the Story of the 1st Cape Corps by Captain I.D. Difford. In it Ware plays quite a prominent role:

In the advance from Njangao on November 5th, Lieutenant Ware's platoon ("D" Company) was detailed as bodyguard to the Brigadier. The column halted for the night at Chinemena and carried on before dawn next day. The Cape Corps were leading," B” Company in advance. At 4 a.m. they flushed a strong enemy outpost and just at dawn encountered an enemy patrol returning to their camp and captured three porters who gave useful information.

In the afternoon the enemy worked round to attack the left flank of the column whilst maintaining pressure in front. "D" Company, which had been held at Column Headquarters, was at once brought up to reinforce the left flank, linking up with "C" Company's left. Severe fighting took place and Captain Michau sent for our Stokes Mortars. Lieutenant Abbott was immediately killed whilst mounting a gun. Lieutenant J. McNeil and his platoon ("D" Company) were sent up to reinforce "B" Company, but McNeil was immediately wounded (he died next day). "A" Company on the right flank did not meet with quite such determined opposition, but one platoon under Lieutenant Colson, supporting “B " Company got it hot, Colson being severely wounded.

"D" Company from the commencement were in a very warm corner. Lieutenants Power and Ware were ordered by the Brigadier to take a certain ridge. They did so, but Power lost his life. Captain Michau and Lieutenant Samuelson were both wounded and Captain Edwards took over the Company, he and Lieutenant Ware being the only unwounded officers of "D" Company before midday. The enemy fought desperately on our left flank, charged with the bayonet three times and got within thirty yards of our line, and it was only the steadiness and coolness of " D " Company which prevented them from enveloping us on that side.

At about 3 p.m. the enemy brought up their 4.7 inch naval gun and 4.1 inch howitzer and opened on us, and about the same time the heavy fire of the enemy who were trying to outflank us caused a panic amongst our porters who bolted into the thick bush and dropped their loads. The majority of them turned up during the night without their loads at the column's and line transport camp located about three miles back under our Quartermaster. This caused us heavy loss in ammunition, not to mention rations, water, officers' kits, etc. Fortunately the porters recovered their nerve somewhat when out of range of shell fire and next day most of them were induced to return to the front with such of their loads as it had been possible to recover.

Heavy fighting continued all the afternoon (November 6th) without decisive result and at dark our advance was withdrawn about fifty yards to occupy a ridge for the night. Our wires to the rear had been cut by an enemy patrol during the afternoon. Lieutenants Wigman, Ware and Girdwood were also slightly wounded, but as they did not return to the dressing station they did not appear in the
official casualty list.

This was the severest day's fighting the battalion had experienced to date, and the magnificent conduct of the men under heavy shell and machine gun fire at close range was a source of much gratification to all concerned. Desultory fighting continued until 3 a.m. on the 7th and, after a couple of hours break, began again and continued all day. The enemy had failed to surround us as they had apparently hoped, and for the next thirty-six hours appeared to be irresolute whether to attack again vigorously or to retire. Their searching shell fire was, however, very accurate, dropping into our trenches on both right and left flanks. Shelling continued all day and two attacks from the west were beaten off.

Towards evening the column formed a perimeter, with the K.A.R. in front and Cape Corps in the rear and bivouacked for the night. The enemy were dug in only one hundred and fifty yards from us.

During the day the 2 /2nd K.A.R. had had very heavy casualties, the 2nd in command and eight other officers and about one hundred and fifty other ranks being killed or wounded.

During the night of the 15th the enemy retired about a mile and a half. Next morning at dawn we were at them again, Cape Corps in advance, " D " Company in front, Captain Edwards on the right flank and Lieutenant Ware on the left. Captain Arnott and Lieutenant Hayton had been temporarily
posted to “D " Company to replace casualties on the 6th instant. The enemy continued to retire fighting all the way and inflicted some casualties on us, including Lieutenant Girdwood, wounded (for the second time within ten days). One porter (machine gun) was killed and several wounded. A sniper who was a crack shot troubled us for a while, but during the morning Lieutenant Ware severely wounded and captured him.

During the afternoon Lieut. -Colonel Morris took "A" and "C" Companies round on the left flank and nearly brought off a coup. The enemy saw him just in time to save themselves by breaking off the engagement and clearing through the bush. The column thereupon continued to advance and pushed on about a mile where we again became heavily engaged and fought on until Towards evening the column formed a perimeter, with the K.A.R. in front and Cape Corps in the rear, and bivouacked for the night. The enemy were dug in only one hundred and fifty yards from us. During the day the 2 /2nd K.A.R. had had very heavy casualties, the 2nd in command and eight other officers and about one hundred and fifty other ranks being killed or wounded. During the night of the 15th the enemy retired about a mile and a half.

As it can be seen this stretch of Ware’s service was far from the experiences he had hitherto encountered. Here he was under constant enemy fire and behaved magnificently accordingly. Ill health now began to take its toll on him and, on 20 December 1917 he embarked at Dar-es-Salam per the “Caronia” disembarking at Durban on 20 December where he was accommodated at Jacobs Camp under canvas from 25 December until 8 January 1918. He was supplied with “light, fuel and rations in kind”.

On 12 February 1918 he was admitted to the Wanderers V.A.D. in Johannesburg with Malaria and on 5 March 1918 he was medically boarded at Johannesburg and released from service on that date as being permanently unfit for tropical service for six months. He relinquished his commission on account of ill health on the same day and was granted the honorary rank of 2nd Lieutenant. A pension of £150 was granted to him from 11 March 1918 reducing to 70% of this amount after December of that year.

For his considerable efforts Ware was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal these were despatched to him on 16 March 1922.

Post war Ward took up the occupation of Clerk and was next heard from again when he passed away at the age of 68 years and 8 months at the Princess Nursing Home in Johannesburg. His place of residence was 81 Sandhurst, 40 De Villiers Street, Johannesburg and he was survived by his wife and a younger brother Herbert Stacey Ware. He had no children of his own.

Some years prior to his death, in November 1922 to be exact, he had been living at Tonetti Siding in the town of Barberton in the eastern Transvaal which is where he completed his last will and testament.