TOPIC:

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen. I spent some time today with an elderly relative who knew I had a great interest in WW1 so he showed me the medals of his late wife's Grandfather who had fought in WW1. I was amazed to see, attached to the three WW1 medals, two medals from the Boer War. One was the QSA medal with three clasps: Transvaal, Cape Colony and Orange Free State. The other had 1901/02 on it and both had his name and number engraved around the edge. I am now trying to find any information relating to this man, however insignificant, but have been unable to trace a connection with the Boer War.

I would be grateful for any suggestions. He was in the Royal Irish Rifles and the number on his medals is 2540. Any assistance would be appreciated.
Kind regards,
Annie

Hi Annie

Pte William Smith was taken prisoner at Stormberg on 10 Dec 1899. He was released in Pretoria on 6 June 1900.

Henk

Thank you so much Henk. I will now try to find any information on what happened on 10 December 1899 and any details available on the POW camp during that time. Again, thank you and much appreciated.
Kind regards,
Annie

Hello Annie

His Anglo-Boer War service papers are on Ancestry in the WW1 Pension Papers (search using his number 2540).

He then appears to have served in the Royal Garrison Regiment, number 7372 - papers on Ancestry in the WW1 Pension Papers.

And he if he was number 11745 Royal Irish Rifles in WW1 then there are 30 pages covering his WW1 service on Ancestry in the WW1 Service Records section.

Regards
Meurig

SWB - Wow, I had looked on National Archives for information but drew a blank, and yes he was in the RIR in WW1 but I only had a quick search for him today using the number 11746 which I had made a note of from his three WW1 medals - I probably got the last digit wrong so thank you for this.

Wonderful information, many thanks.
Regards
Annie

Many thanks again to Meurig, and as a result of the information he kindly posted now have the man's papers from Ancestry. I have also been able to find his MIC on Ancestry relating to WW1 but have not been able to access his name on a medal roll during the Anglo-Boer War. Can anyone kindly tell me if it is possible to find this, or if it even exists?

Thank you in anticipation.
Annie