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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Hoochie on Thursday 14 September 06 18:35 BST (UK)
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A recent visit to Ladysmith in SA has reignited my determination to trace my Great Grandfather's part in the Boer War. I don't have much to go on at present other than the surname Beasley, the fact he was born and lived in Berkshire and the possibility that he served with the Royal Berkshire Rifles. My late Grandfather left me what I believe to be his father's gold campaign ring 'alledgedly' presented by Queen Victoria - it has the following inscription engraved on the inside, "With Windsor's thanks S.Africa 1901".
Any advice on how to begin the search would be much appreciated - with thanks.
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Hi Hoochie, and Welcome to Rootschat!!
I think you'd benefit in the first instance by gathering a bit more basic information about him, ie his full name, date of birth, place of birth. Could be there are several men called Beasley in the Berkshires, and you need a bit more.
Also, did he survive the war? Do you have any later references to him?
If he was indeed in the Royal Berkshire Regiment in the Boer War, it would have been the 2nd Battalion (1st Bn wasn't in South Africa).
I'm interested to hear about the ring. Not come across one before. Presumably he had some connection to the town of Windsor?
Neil
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Neil,
Thanks for your message - I will indeed be trying to gather some of the basics about my Great Grandfather via surviving family members although this may take some time; will keep you posted.
The rumoured connection with the town of Windsor is that my Great Grandfather was born & bred there and as such Queen Victoria presented the ring to the men of Windsor who served in the campaign - this has yet to be confirmed. With thanks.
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Hi Hoochie
I have found the following:
Thursday 13 June 1901
The Mayor of Windsor presided, last night, at a dinner in the guildhall in honour of Major EWEN and the service section of the Windsor Volunteers and Yeomanry who have just returned from South Africa ..................... During the evening the mayor presented each of those who had served at the front with a gold signet ring engraved with the borough arms and inscribed "With Windsor's Thanks South Africa 1901" .............................. . (The Times)
There is also an article (12 Jun 1901) which mentions the return (after 15 months) of the active service section of the 1st V(olunteer) B(attalion) Royal Berkshire Regiment at Windsor accompanied by Major EWEN. They were met at the Great Western Railway Station by the mayor etc. and marched to the guildhall for refreshments and a service at the church before being dismissed to return to their families.
Also found mention of the queen due to inspect the service company of the Berkshire Volunteers under Major EWEN at Windsor Castle on Wednesday 28 Feb 1900 - they being due to go to South Africa.
I can't be certain that there was only the one "regiment" that received this honour so I would suggest contacting the local studies department at Windsor to see if they have any lists or any other information relating to the presentation and/or recipients of the rings or local newspaper report(s) which might give more information
http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/library_local_history.htm
Casalguidi
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Hi
If he was in the Yeomanry it would be the Imperial Yeomanry, 10th Battalion, 39th Company(Berkshire).
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Themonsstar and Casalguidi,
Just read your kind replies, really helpful - many thanks. I now need to get more basic information about my Great Grandfather from surviving family members to trace his exact movements and involvement in the campaign.
Kind regards.
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Have a look at http://www.thewardrobe.org.uk
They may be able to help you.
Good luck!
Jackie
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Jackie - many thanks for the advice, I will check out The Wardrobe in the next few days. Please accept my late response to you but I have been out of the country on business for several weeks.
Kind regards.
Simon
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Hi Simon ! welcome home !! :D
I know you said you've been away ::) ..... but I wondered if you had been able to find out anymore personal details regarding your Great Grandfather ??
Give us what you can ..... and lets see if anybody can help !!
Annie :)
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Hi Annie - yes, I have made a little progress. My Great Grandfather was Edgar Roland Beasley and probably served with the Royal Berkshire Rifles tbc. My Aunt - i.e. his Grandaughter has 3 medals of his with each of the monarch's head under whom he served on the reverse. George V - reverse reads 'for faithful service', Edward VII - reverse reads 'for long service in the volunteer force' and Victoria - reverse reads 'South Africa', this last one has 5 metal strips on the ribbon - South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902, Transvaal, Orange Free State and Cape Colony.
I am beginning to track down other relatives and hope to have some more detail soon - many thanks for your help. Simon
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Hi Simon !!
Did Edgar come home ?? I wondered if he was in WW1 - as there's a medal card that looks promising !!
Medal card of Beasley, Edgar
4th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment
323
Company Quarter Master Serjeant
Date
1914-1920
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0yp/
Annie
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Annie - we're both working late tonight. Yes - Edgar did come home from South Africa as my Aunt talks about visiting him with her father (my Grandad) noting that he didn't meet and marry her Grandmother until he was past 40. As for WWI service I simply don't know but will pose the question to members of the family.
Many thanks again - it has really captured my imagination trying to trace him down.
Will be in touch again soon.
Simon
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Simon,
The 'For Faithfull Service' one is the Imperial Service Medal. It was gazetted 29 July 1930:
His Majesty The KING has been pleased to award the Imperial Service Medal to the following officers:— HOME CIVIL SERVICE.
Beasley, Edgar Rowland, Postman, Windsor.
The others are the Volunteer Force Long Service Medal and the Queen's South Africa Medal with 5 clasps.
Steve
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Hi Simon
No doubt you have the 1881 for the family RG11/1323 F118 P 12
Living 4 Victoria St
New Windsor
Beasley Joseph hd m m 37 Whitchurch Bucks cooper& Turner
Cecile E.D wi m f 35 Uxbridge
Joseph Hen so u m 14 Clewer drapers ass
Leonard Antony so u m 12 Clewer scholar
EDGAR ROWLAND so u m 10 Clewer scholar
Frederick Motague so u m 9 Clewer scholar
Caroline Mary da u f 6 Windsor scholar
Florence Cecile da u f 4 Windsor scholar.
As you can see his father was born in Whitchurch Bucks they were the only family there in 1851 but other Beasley's can be found in Stewkley just down the road....in fact we have Beasley's in our family!
Just thought this may help.
Tazzie
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Hi Simon !
I wonder if a letter to Windsor Castle archives would yield any results ?? as he was a postman in Windsor ... they might have some further information !! :)
http://www.geocities.com/mchardyofordachoy/Resources/WindsorCastle.htm
might be worth a try !!
Annie :)
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Annie, Tazzie and Steve,
Many thanks for all this information and help - I'm quite overwhelmed and very excited.
One question - probably for Steve due to his military knowledge - how or where do I identify what Regiment Edgar Roland Beasley served in? Is the Volunteer Force a regiment in its own right or could he have volunteered to be in the Royal Berkshire Rifles?
Kind regards - Simon
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Simon,
To confirm his regiment, go back to those medals your aunt has.
The one with 5 clasps is the Queens South Africa medal for the Boer War
His name, rank, regiment and number will he written around the medal rim :)
Neil
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Neil,
Many thanks for this tip - the medal reads:
6824 Cor E.R. Beasley 2: RL Berks Reg
I assume Cor = Corporal and he served in the 2nd Battallion of The Royal Berkshire Regiment
From this I hope to be able to trace his service in the Boer War.
Best regards - Simon
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Annie,
Going back to your message reference Edgar Beasley's Medal Card - my Aunt sent me an e-mail saying that she remembers being told that he rose to the rank of Quartermaster and we now believe he served with The Royal Berkshire Regiment - so it is likely this record could refer to my Great Grandfather.
How / where do I get access to the Medal Card Record to verify details?
With thanks again - Simon
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6824 Cor E.R. Beasley 2: RL Berks Reg
I assume Cor = Corporal and he served in the 2nd Battallion of The Royal Berkshire Regiment
Absolutely right. His service number 6824 is also useful to know when searching for his service record.
Neil
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Hi Simon, I've been following this fascinating post with interest
How / where do I get access to the Medal Card Record to verify details?
The Record entries are detailed on the Medal Card by the long number next to the medal, sadly these are not online, if you are not able to go to Kew yourself there are researchers - some of them advertise on (I think it) the Sales board of Rootschat.
But don't ever pay out dosh until you get the info you have agreed to paid for ;)
Wendi :)
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A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED TRACE MY GREATGRANDFATHER!
Starting with only a gold sovereign ring I now know he was Edgar Rowland Beasley birn 23/07/1870 in Clewer in the Parish of Windsor.
He was a member of the Volunteer Force but called up for Regular Service on 31st January 1900 with the 2nd Battallion Royal Berkshire Regiment as 6824 Corporal Beasley for an 18 month Tour of Duty to serve in the Boer War - after this his was discharged from The Regulars on 16th June 1901 along with other members of the Volunteer Force.
He fought at the Battle of Silkaatsnek on 2nd Aug 1900 in the Transvaal just outside Pretoria. I have a Regimental History book with photos and on Friday received a photograph of him in uniform from a previously unknown relative in Oregon USA. It's been a fascinating voyage of discovery for me and it will continue as I strive to uncover more detail of his 18 months of the campaign in South Africa.
None of this would have been achieved without the kind contributions and advice from all who responded to my postings - my sincere thanks and gratitude to each and every one of you.
A very Merry Christmas and Wonderful 2007!
Simon
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That's terrific Simon !!
I'm so very glad you were able to find all that wonderful information ...... and find a relative to boot !! :D :D :D
You have a great Christmas also ........ !!
Annie :) :) :)
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Good news... ;D Thats what we like Simon.
That what makes RC one of the best sites around someone somewhere will find an answer for you.
Best wishes for Christmas
Tazzie :) :)
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And Thank you Simon ;D
Without your query I would not know so much about Boer War Gold Campaign Rings!
Happy Holidays :D
Wendi