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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Duckies on Saturday 20 November 10 18:40 GMT (UK)

Title: Life Guards South African war/ Royal Artillery
Post by: Duckies on Saturday 20 November 10 18:40 GMT (UK)
I'm trying to track down information on 2nd Trooper 1509 Thomas Williams Burford ( 1867-1940), who serviced in the South African war & was apparently awarded 2 medals.
I also have a photo which is supposed to be of him but the uniform is all wrong & shows a sergeant of the Royal Artillery, so am wondering whether he may have transferred between regiments at sometime. Hopefully if there were any records out there it may confirm this.
There is also an Acting Corp T W Burford in WW1 medal cards, its unlikely its the same man but I do have a relative who was in France & well over 40, so i guess its possible that a career army man could still have been playing a small part.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: Life Guards South African war/ Royal Artillery
Post by: gortonboy on Saturday 20 November 10 18:42 GMT (UK)
hi,,when and where was he born? ;)
Title: Re: Life Guards South African war/ Royal Artillery
Post by: gortonboy on Saturday 20 November 10 18:56 GMT (UK)
its ok,,he was born in Bethnal green  ;),,,,he was in the 2nd life guards. served in South Africa
Awarded South Africa medal with clasps for  Johannasburg,Diamond Hill.Relief of Kimberley,Orange Free State ,,,awarded Silver medal for long service and good conduct.
Looks like he was always in the life guards,,or household cavalry.
Title: Re: Life Guards South African war/ Royal Artillery
Post by: Duckies on Saturday 20 November 10 18:58 GMT (UK)
Hi,
Sorry , yes it was Bethnall Green . Thanks for the information . How can you tell he was always in the lifeguards/household cavalry , rather than just during the SA War ?? Are you able to tell when he joined up & left ?? & whether he left due to retirement  ??
Title: Re: Life Guards South African war/ Royal Artillery
Post by: gortonboy on Saturday 20 November 10 19:05 GMT (UK)
he joined in 1886 age 19,,,,did his 21 years,,,then  left in 1907,,,,,his service record is available on the findmypast website  ;)
Title: Re: Life Guards South African war/ Royal Artillery
Post by: ladysmith on Sunday 21 November 10 09:39 GMT (UK)
He was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps Relief of Kimberley, Orange Free State, Johannesburg & Diamond Hill. I haven't got the King's South Africa Medal roll but it's odds on his second medal was the KSA with clasps South Africa 1901 & South Africa 1902.

Coincidentally the cavalry QSA roll shows another T.W. Burford with the 5th Lancers. He died of disease in Natal 24/12/1899.

David
Title: Re: Life Guards South African war/ Royal Artillery
Post by: Duckies on Sunday 21 November 10 12:44 GMT (UK)
Hi, thanks for the additional information . It builds up a great picture of why my dad remembers his great uncle as being a figure of authority & no messing !