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Hi there, I am researching my GGG Grandfather John Neeson.

John Neeson was born in Randalstown, Drummond, Antrim between 1817 and 1818.
He was a labourer until he was 17 years old. He then joined the Army serving in the 64th Rgt of Foot in Jamaica, Canada and India. He was discharged and settled in Scotland in 1857. I know that he was a Police Constable in Stirling, Scotland in 1861.
He married a woman named Catherine Atkins between 1843 and 1848.

Does anyone have any information on the Neeson family in Randalstown, Antrim?

Thanks so much for your help,

Best regards
Robbie Neeson
New Zealand

I know that he served in the Boer War as well
His full service history was:

Matabeleland 1896
China 1900 and the
Boer War 1901-1902

I know that he was in 1 Battalion Kitcheners Fighting Scouts from 1901 as he is on the nominal roll as John William Neeson, and he then enlisted in the Transport Corp in 1902 once the 1KFS was disbanded. I have his ribbon bar with the BSA company medal ribbon and he wrote down that he did serve at Matabeleland in 1896.

I have just read that the Rhodesia Field Force was a corp of 5000 soldiers under the command of Lt General Sir Frederick Carrington established by the BSA Company formed in 1900.

So you are right the RFF post-dates Matabele. So he must have been in a different unit at Matabele.

I just thought, would it be possible to check if there was a
John Dorries or John Dorris who was awarded that medal in 1896?

Thank you so much, best regards
Rob

Hi there, I would love to find out if my Grand Grandfather is on the British South Africa Company Medal Roll.
I know he was awarded the medal.

His name was John William Neeson.
I know that he served in the Second Matabele War 1896
He may have been in the Rhodesian Field Force.
He was Scottish.

Thank you for your help, any information would be greatly appreciated.

Rob Neeson