TOPIC:

Mr.Alexander William Gower Hunter,is mentioned "Under fire at Talana being payclerk at
Railhead"(WO 100/279)He married-Kate Hodson.In documentation of communication between Post Master General and Mr.J.M.Hunter.Assistant General Manager, Requesting the name of the Station Master succeeding Mr.Hunter at Glencoe Junction.Documention mentions that Mr.J.Johnstone will be succeeding Mr.Hunter who is present Station Master at Wessels Nek.Letter continues to request appointment letters for Mr.J.Johnstone and Mr.A Hunter. Interesting to note that Mr J.Johnstone was appointed as Postmaster Glencoe Junction at a salary of 12 Pound per annum and Mr A.Hunter at a salary of 21 Pounds per annum at Wessels Nek.

Elandslaagte,

As part of my Talana research, I have a report written by Peter Littlejohn, the District Superintendent in Newcastle about his time at Dundee, Pretoria and then Ladysmith. At the end of his report he gives the names of those from the district who stayed on to serve in Ladysmith while others "left for down country":

Campbell, M Station Master Charlestown

Porter, F Clerk Charlestown

Mills, J Guard Charlestown

Miller, W G Guard Charlestown

Hilder, J E J Guard Charlestown

Mason, M Guard Newcastle. Killed by a shell in Ladysmith Station yard

Mason, A Guard Joined the Natal Carbineers at Ladysmith

Mason, W Checker Joined the Natal Carbineers at Ladysmith

Moody Locomotive Department Charlestown. Joined the Natal Carbineers at Ladysmith

Creswell, H T Checker Newcastle

Gardiner, R Engine Driver Charlestown

Strachan, J Engine Driver Charlestown

Jackson, W Engine Driver Charlestown

Hibberd, C Engine Driver Charlestown

Axtelius, A F Passed Fireman Charlestown

Fletcher, J C Passed Fireman Charlestown

Richards, S Passed Fireman Charlestown

Jackson, C Passed Fireman Charlestown

Hay, C Fitter Charlestown

Grieveson, W A Fitter Charlestown

Parker, A Fireman Charlestown

Neil, R A Fireman Charlestown

Massey, W H Fireman Charlestown

Whitley, T E Cleaner Charlestown

Abbott, E Cleaner Charlestown

Emond, F J Cleaner Newcastle

Michaelson, C Cleaner Charlestown

Waublad, A A Examiner Charlestown

Hodgkinson, F Examiner Charlestown

Rayner, H Examiner Charlestown

Ritson, J H Engine Driver Newcastle

Angus, M Fireman Newcastle

Littlejohn does not mention anyone from Dundee or (or Elandslaagte for that matter) so presumably Dundee was a separate sub district of the NGR?

Regards
David

David

That long list of names gives some idea of the size and importance of the Natal Government Railways in what was a relatively small and under-populated Colony.

I have a presentation copy of the book 'The Battle-Fields of Natal Re-Visited', which was produced by, or on behalf of the NGR. Apart from being a valuable contemporary photographic record of the battlefields, it includes a section entitled 'The Natal Government Railways and the War.

There are some remarkable statistics. For example:
"The Indian contingent, consisting of 8,311 officers and men, 2,792 horses, 29 guns, 1,500 native attendants, stores, ammunition and equipment, requiring the employment of 27 transport ships, commenced to arrive at Port Natal on the 3rd October, 1899, continuing until 27th October. To illustrate the despatch given to these troops, it should be mentioned that from the time of the first five ships being berthed at the wharf (at and after 12 noon)the troops were all landed at Ladysmith - 192 miles distant - in less than 24 hours."

The total number of men transported by the NGR by the end of August 1900 was 166 195 (excluding women, children, Natives and Indians).

I think it is true to say that the NGR played a very significant role in the success of the Natal campaign.

Regards
Brett

Dear David (Biggins)

I happened upon this old post when researching a QSA NGR recipient whose medals I have.

John Onley Fletcher from Charlestown is mentioned above in your excerpt from Peter Littlejohn's report. My question is thus - is any other mention made of him or his comrades?

Regards

Rory

Thought you might to add this...…

Mike