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Research in Other Countries => South Africa => Topic started by: Dragoman on Saturday 31 August 24 14:32 BST (UK)

Title: EDGAR ETCHES - SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTANBULARY
Post by: Dragoman on Saturday 31 August 24 14:32 BST (UK)
I an researching the life of a great-uncle of mine, Edgar Etches, who was born on New Year's Day in 1870 at Burghley Park, Lincolnshire where his father was clerk of works. Edgar had always wanted to become a soldier and at the age of 18 he joined the 4th Hussars as Private 5130. Later he transferred to the 13th Hussars and embarked to South Africa where he fought in the Boer War. He was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal which included clasps for Natal, Orange Free State and the Transvaal. On leaving the Army at the end of the war, he stayed on, became a policeman and served with two divisions of the South African Constabulary -1006B and 54 Reserve Divisions. On returning to England in 1905 he committed suicide by drowning. I am very keen to discover what records of his military and police career exist in South African archives, especially police records. Can anyone help me please? 
Title: Re: EDGAR ETCHES - SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTANBULARY
Post by: ShaunJ on Saturday 31 August 24 15:09 BST (UK)
There is a record

http://www.national.archsrch.gov.za/sm300cv/smws/sm30ddf0?20240831160624F60E3F40&DN=00000001

"TAB" is "National Archives Repository (Public Records of former Transvaal Province and its predecessors as well as of magistrates and local authorities)"
Title: Re: EDGAR ETCHES - SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTANBULARY
Post by: ShaunJ on Saturday 31 August 24 15:18 BST (UK)
Quote
On returning to England in 1905 he committed suicide by drowning.

Per newspaper reports the inquest verdict was "found drowned" There was room for doubt about it being suicide.
Title: Re: EDGAR ETCHES - SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTANBULARY
Post by: pampoen on Sunday 01 September 24 13:19 BST (UK)
From the link ShaunJ provided is this file located in the Johannesburg archives. To view the file you need to hire someone to go to the archives to copy it for you.
Document 1 of 1
DEPOT     TAB                                                                   
SOURCE    SAC                                                                   
TYPE      LEER                                                                 
VOLUME_NO 66                                                                   
SYSTEM    01                                                                   
REFERENCE B1006                                                                 
PART      1                                                                     
DESCRIPTION          RECORD OF CONDUCT AND SERVICE OF SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTABULARY EDGAR     
           ETCHES.                                                             
STARTING  1900                                                                 
ENDING    1905.                                                             
Title: Re: EDGAR ETCHES - SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTANBULARY
Post by: pampoen on Sunday 01 September 24 13:22 BST (UK)
Did he have a brother?
Document 1 of 5
DEPOT     TAB                                                                   
SOURCE    SAC                                                                   
TYPE      LEER                                                                 
VOLUME_NO 66                                                                   
SYSTEM    01                                                                   
REFERENCE A2221                                                                 
PART      1                                                                     
DESCRIPTION          RECORD OF CONDUCT AND SERVICE OF SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTABULARY CHARLES   
           WILLIAM ETCHES.                                                     
STARTING  1902                                                                 
ENDING    1904                                                                 
Title: Re: EDGAR ETCHES - SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTANBULARY
Post by: pampoen on Sunday 01 September 24 13:29 BST (UK)
Dragoman have you read this http://samilitaryhistory.org/diaries/etches.html
Title: Re: EDGAR ETCHES - SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTANBULARY
Post by: Dragoman on Wednesday 11 September 24 09:05 BST (UK)
Quote from: pampoen on Sunday 01 September 24 13:29 BST (UK)
Dragoman have you read this http://samilitaryhistory.org/diaries/etches.html
 

Yes, that is an article that I wrote about my great uncle in 2011. At that time I remember having difficulty in finding records about his time in the South African Constabulary.