TOPIC:

Hopefully tomorrow I am going to the local library to start researching the 2nd Boer War and if there are any more Cockermouth casualtys.
So I am wondering when would be the best date to start searching the first day when the war broke out or would it be better to start before ?

Regards Mike.

Mike
I think you have to consider the Regiment you may be researching; when did they leave for SA and when did they get back. If you expand the search a bit either way you might be rewarded by a para of "Cockermouth lads off to the front" or similar. Otherwise, if you consider the IY or lads off on their own account, the search parameters might be closer. I think you really have little choice to spread you net as wide as possible; to try and catch your local lads with post ABW stories of obituaries.
It is a type of search I have not yet done myself; I did have a researcher do one for me and it did get some results.
Good luck
IL.

Any regiment in general but I may be looking more towards the Border regiment so I'll have a look when the Borders first went to SA, I do have the book on the history of the Border regiment so will have a quick look before I set off cheers.

Mike

Mike,

The 1st Battalion sailed from Malta on 27th September 1899 so I imagine that any casualty after this date could be considered a Bowr War casualty.

Good luck with your research
David

Thankyou David I will start from September cheers.
Whatever I find I will post onto the forum.

Regards Mike

Mike
The 1st Bn., Border Regt is listed as being in SA from October 1899 (sailed from Malta 27091899) and were active to the end of the war. So I think you might be looking a couple of months prior to 10/99 to begin. Don't forget that drafts would have been sent as they had quite a few casualties in the earlier stages of the conflict.
Please keep us updated as to the progress of your quest
Regards
IL.