Did James Lindsay Robertson serve in the Boer War?

[Forfarian]

James Lindsay Robertson was born in Brechin in 1850. He became a hairdresser, married Jane Clark in 1876, and moved to Edinburgh by 1891, when he and Jane are recorded in the census together. In 1901 Jane is recorded as a widow. I have failed to find any death record, either before or after 1901, in Scotland, England or Wales.

I did find, however, the record of the service of a James Lindsay Robertson in the 2 Volunteer Service Company The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) during the Boer War. Number 7584.

It seems unlikely that an almost 50-years-old hairdresser would sign up for service in South Africa, but could it be?

There are two more James Lindsay Robertsons, one born in 1879 in Perth and one in 1880 in Glasgow, either of whom seems a more likely candidate to be the one in the Boer War records.

The Perth one joined the Cameron Highlanders in 1914. He was married to Jessie Mitchell and had 3 children. He was demobilised in 1920 and died in Edinburgh in 1950.

No idea what became of the one born in Glasgow.

Ideas, anyone?

[hanes teulu]

FindMyPast has a Monumental Inscription - Barry, Forfarshire (Angus) for

"In memory of David L Robertson d. Moffat 4.5.1886, age 34y and James L Robertson d. at Chillan, Chile 19.12.1900 age 50y"

[hanes teulu]

The Perthshire Courier, 20 Jan 1900

[hanes teulu]

FindMyPast has a Monumental Inscription - Barry, Forfarshire (Angus) for

"In memory of David L Robertson d. Moffat 4.5.1886, age 34y and James L Robertson d. at Chillan, Chile 19.12.1900 age 50y"

Likely 1886 death is a David Lowson Robertson?

[alan o]

I think it very very unlikely that a 50 year old hairdresser would be accepted as a Boer war volunteer.  The men in your article were already serving in the Volunteer Battalion (think Territorial Army) before volunteering.  I think it very unlikely your man was in the VB at his age unless he was a long serving officer or SNCO.

[Forfarian]

FindMyPast has a Monumental Inscription - Barry, Forfarshire (Angus) for
"In memory of David L Robertson d. Moffat 4.5.1886, age 34y and James L Robertson d. at Chillan, Chile 19.12.1900 age 50y"

Likely 1886 death is a David Lowson Robertson?

Thank you, yes, I had looked into that one.

The death is indexed as David Lawson Robertson. He was born in Barry in 1852/3, parents John Robertson, born Barry or Montrose, depending which census you believe, and Mary Lawson. They also had a son James, born 1850/1851 in Montrose, so I took it that it was this James R who had died in Chile.

 'My' James Lindsay R was the son of James Robertson, born in Brechin, and Jean Rodger. They had a son David, born and died 1856 in Brechin.

[Forfarian]

I think it very very unlikely that a 50 year old hairdresser would be accepted as a Boer war volunteer.

Thank you.