The British South Africa Company Medal Roll - Free lookups offered

[neil1821]

Hi Neil could you check the following for me? To Neil 1821-I have in my possession a medal awarded to a Trooper RC Luxford NT as a member of the BSAC 1896 campaign.Could you give me any further information such as was he originally from the UK,did he die in action etc?Any information would be gratefully appreciated.

The only thing the roll can add is his first name:
Tpr Reginald C Luxford, Natal Troop
Not the most common name I imagine. A search of UK census may find possible candidates.

[Phil Goater]

Hi Neil,

Could you check out Benjamin Goater for me please?  He was a professional soldier and served in the Army Medical corps. He was born in 1854 and a staff sergeant by 1881 and eventually became a quartermaster, retiring with the honorary rank of Major.

Regards,
Phil

[pampoen]

Neil thanks for that.I just did a quick search and found out that his full name was Reginald cottenham luxford and that he served in Steinaeckers horse from 6/4/1901 to 11/6/1901 when he died of disease at Fort Mpisane. His service number according to the nominal rolls WO127 was 1341.Will look to see if there is a monument erected for these troops.Do you think he may have come over from England before 1896 to fight in the 1st boer war?

[neil1821]

Do you think he may have come over from England before 1896 to fight in the 1st boer war?

1st Boer War was 16 years previous so it's a bit of a leap to make! Every chance he came over from England at some point I guess.

EDIT - There's a Reginald C Luxford on the 1881 England census, age 10, born Natal living with his grandfather in Sussex. Sounds about right! So no to the 1st Boer War in that case.
Search for the entry here if you want to see it:
http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Search/frameset_search.asp

[RegP]

Hi Geoff.t

I have just joined this chat forum and seen your posting on BSA Co. medal issued to John Austen. Sorry for the delay in responding to it.

This is very interesting to me because John Austen was my Great Grandfather and for the last 30 years I have been researching the family history and his descendants. He was a pioneer in the then Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. Settled in Que Que, now Kwe Kwe. Became the first Mayor of the town. Fought in the Matabele wars, of 1893 and 1896 so I am guessing the medal was awarded thought those events.

I would like to take up some communictions with you over it but don't know how to do that, other than postings here.

Thanks for your posting

Regards

RegP

[geodale]

Am I too late to request a look up for Alexander Edward Macpherson and Balfour Robertson Mathieson please?
Thanks
geodale

[neil1821]

Am I too late to request a look up for Alexander Edward Macpherson and Balfour Robertson Mathieson please?
Thanks
geodale

Trooper A.E. MacPherson, Matabeleland Relief Force
Trooper R.B. Mathieson, Gwelo Field Force
both have the 1896 medal, Mathieson listed apparently as KIA (but no further details)

[geodale]

Many thanks.  I discovered RB Mathieson was killed at Bezwy Hills in 1897.  I wonder who has his medal as was not married -  he had a brother in Durban at the time who did not know he had a medal at all.
I appreciate your reply.
Geodale

[Redroger]

I am trying to trace the whereabouts of my relative Bertrand Evelyn Luffman who was born in India in 1877. I know that he took part in campaigns around 1900 in South Africa serving with the South African Light Horse, Jo'berg Mounted Rifles, Walden's? Scouts and Steinaeckers special squadron. He subsequently moved to Australia, volunteered for further service in WW1 and was killed at Gallipoli. But, what I would like to know is where was he prior to and immediately after his known service in South Africa? I have a gap for his first 23 years until he appears c1900. Did he have any service in Rhodesia in the late 1890s?