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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: kanburi on Wednesday 11 August 10 13:27 BST (UK)

Title: The Boer War
Post by: kanburi on Wednesday 11 August 10 13:27 BST (UK)

I believe my great grandfather may have been in the Boer War.  Where would I access his army record, and can this be accessed on line.

Best wishes, Pat

Title: Re: The Boer War
Post by: neil1821 on Thursday 12 August 10 19:45 BST (UK)

Can you give us a bit more Pat?
- his name
- age/date of birth
- where was he from?
- did he survive the war?
- any idea, any clue at all, to his regiment?

I'd start by checking pension records.
http://www.findmypast.co.uk/chelsea-pensioners-service-records-collection-search-start.action

Title: Re: The Boer War
Post by: kanburi on Friday 13 August 10 13:45 BST (UK)

Hi Neil

Thanks for your help.  I do not know the regiment my great grandfather was in but I do know the following:
name:   Henry Knight
dob:      12th September 1878
born:     Romford, Essex
Yes he did survive the war

I have a vague recollection as a child that my grandmother said he was in the cavalry.  My grandmother said he was in the Boer War and his name is missing from the 1901 census which could substantiate this.

Best wishes, Pat

Title: Re: The Boer War
Post by: neil1821 on Friday 13 August 10 14:36 BST (UK)

Quote

I have a vague recollection as a child that my grandmother said he was in the cavalry.

There were 7 H.Knight's in the regular cavalry in the Boer War. One died in 1900 so 6 possibles assuming your grandmother was right.

2966 Private, 14th Hussars
3651 Private, 18th Hussars
4834 Private, 18th Hussars
4748 Private, 19th Hussars
2886 Private, 8th Hussars
3099 Private, 9th Lancers

Something to work with.....

Title: Re: The Boer War
Post by: leanora on Saturday 14 August 10 18:10 BST (UK)

this site about   the Hussars may interest you

http://www.hussards-photos.com/UK_home.htm#Knot

Title: Re: The Boer War
Post by: km1971 on Saturday 14 August 10 19:15 BST (UK)

If he was in the Boer War Findmypast will not be publishing his record until September. They started by saying 'by 2011'' then 'June 2010', then 'July 2010' now it's 'September 2010', so don't be surprised if it changes again.

Ken

Title: Re: The Boer War
Post by: kanburi on Sunday 15 August 10 18:10 BST (UK)

Thanks for your help.  What a very smart uniform.  I wonder whether the Boer War records can be accessed at TNA or the Imperial War Museum.  Any suggestions as to other sources apart from Findmypast.  Best wishes, Pat