Author Topic: Anglo-Sudanese War/Cameron Highlanders  (Read 2132 times)

Offline Londinium

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Anglo-Sudanese War/Cameron Highlanders
« on: Monday 30 August 10 22:53 BST (UK) »
Hey all, I'm trying to research my great great grandfather's (James Farrar, 1863-1952) military history in a bit more detail to get an idea of his life. I've managed to make great strides in tracing him during World War One from Egypt to the Western Front via Gallipoli. However there is evidence of a previous service in the Cameron Highlander's during the early 1880s in his WW1 service records.

From what I understand the Cameron Highlanders were unusual in having only one infantry battalion instead of the usual two. He served with them from 1884 to an unknown date although he's claiming reserve pay from the regiment in 1895 in Leeds, Yorkshire. So common sense tells me he that must have been in Egypt and Sudan with the regiment.

What I'm wondering is whether there is a medal roll for this campaign or any records that might be able to help me confirm whether he did indeed serve in Egypt and the Sudan. Also whether applying to the MOD for his service records would throw up anything interesting or are these records usually confined to more modern soldiers? It'd be very interesting to see if he had indeed served in Egypt-Sudan, considering he returned to Egypt in WW1 during 1914 and 1915.

Offline km1971

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Re: Anglo-Sudanese War/Cameron Highlanders
« Reply #1 on: Tuesday 31 August 10 05:57 BST (UK) »
In reverse order the MOD only retains the records of men still serving in 1921 or later. The papers for his first period does not appear to be on Findmypast, although they still haven't published records of men discharged 1900 to 1913. Where did you get the information that he enlisted 1884? If correct he would have been discharged from the Army Reserve in 1896. So maybe his papers have been lost.

The Queen's Own (Cameron Highlanders) did have a single regular battalion from 1881 to 1897. They served in Eygpt/Sudan in 1882 to1887. They were also there in 1897 to 1900. Have you found him in any census (as an adult) and did he have any children in this period?

Ken

Offline Londinium

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Re: Anglo-Sudanese War/Cameron Highlanders
« Reply #2 on: Monday 13 September 10 18:17 BST (UK) »
In reverse order the MOD only retains the records of men still serving in 1921 or later. The papers for his first period does not appear to be on Findmypast, although they still haven't published records of men discharged 1900 to 1913. Where did you get the information that he enlisted 1884? If correct he would have been discharged from the Army Reserve in 1896. So maybe his papers have been lost.

The Queen's Own (Cameron Highlanders) did have a single regular battalion from 1881 to 1897. They served in Eygpt/Sudan in 1882 to1887. They were also there in 1897 to 1900. Have you found him in any census (as an adult) and did he have any children in this period?

Ken

Sorry about the very very late reply. I discovered he served in the Queen's Own Cameron's through his WW1 service papers. The very first paper in that set details him enlisting in the Cameron's in 1884. He got married and had a number of children however he was married before the enlistment date and all his children were born in a time period that doesn't conflict with his supposed service in the regular Cameron's (the births are 1892 onwards).

Heres a copy of that document: http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/7096/jamesfarrarcameronhighl.jpg

and also something about his reserve payments which interestingly end in 1896 as you suggested: http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/7397/jamesfarrararmyreserve.jpg

Offline FamilyBear

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Re: Anglo-Sudanese War/Cameron Highlanders
« Reply #3 on: Sunday 08 June 14 02:48 BST (UK) »
Hi

Did you get anywhere with your search? My great-grand uncle also served in that campaign and I am wondering how best to obtain any further information that might be available.

Thanks.