TOPIC:

I am researching the above man's family, who lost Arthur in the Boer war and two of his brothers in WW1. The family were living in Alconbury (where I live) throughout the period, and there is a memorial plate in the church. He is also remembered on the memorial to the Boer War dead of Huntingdonshire in Huntingdon. I know very little about Arthur, and have even yet to discover when he arrived in S. Africa, I have found that he served in the Kimberley Mounted Corps (Kimberley Light Horse), the Colonial Scouts, and the Kimberley Volunteer Regt. He was killed in action on 3 August 1900, and I believe this was at a place known as Matjavis Station. However, despite considerable on-line searching for Matjavis and trying to establish where the unit(s) he was in were in the day in question, I have drawn a blank!

I have many years of researching the dead of WW1, but this is the first time I've attempted any Boer War research, and I would be deeply grateful for any assistance that may be forthcoming.

Many thanks,
Malcolm

His entry in Watt is incomplete with only what you already know actually being shown, his place of burial is not given, I think that I would go with a careful look throughout WO126/30 and WO126/74 to see if his papers remain extant, the latter of the two might provide an answer.

malcway wrote: I am researching the above man's family, who lost Arthur in the Boer war and two of his brothers in WW1. The family were living in Alconbury (where I live) throughout the period, and there is a memorial plate in the church. He is also remembered on the memorial to the Boer War dead of Huntingdonshire in Huntingdon. I know very little about Arthur, and have even yet to discover when he arrived in S. Africa, I have found that he served in the Kimberley Mounted Corps (Kimberley Light Horse), the Colonial Scouts, and the Kimberley Volunteer Regt. He was killed in action on 3 August 1900, and I believe this was at a place known as Matjavis Station. However, despite considerable on-line searching for Matjavis and trying to establish where the unit(s) he was in were in the day in question, I have drawn a blank!

I have many years of researching the dead of WW1, but this is the first time I've attempted any Boer War research, and I would be deeply grateful for any assistance that may be forthcoming.

Many thanks,
Malcolm

Thank you so much, Frank. I have had a decent 'trawl' but will have another look concentrating on the WO series you mention. I just find it strange that I haven't been able to find any record of his departure from the UK or his arrival in S.A.. The newspapers of the time that reported his death haven't helped, managing to misspell his surname, and I suspect that is also true of the 'Matjavis Station' location. I'm trying to compose a short piece about the brass plaque in the church here for our local 'Parish Pump' magazine, and would just like to make it as informative and as factually accurate as possible! Anyway, it's quite interesting researching a pre WW1 casualty - Arthur's two brothers that were killed in that war were mounted Yeomanry volunteers before the war, and I suspect Arthur was also.
Your interest is much appreciated
PS! Not having heard of Watt until now, having discovered just what the book is about I thought I would try and get hold of a copy - but when I found out the price...!

There was a place called "Machavie Station" near Klerksdorp in the Transvaal, (these days North West Province). Maybe that is the place you are looking for Malcolm?

Elmarie

Malcolm,

Arthur joined the Colonial Scouts 9 December 1899 in Pietermaritzburg. Like many in the Scouts he served in the relief of Ladysmith before being discharged 15 March 1900. He earned the Relief of Ladysmith clasp. This diary by another member of the Colonial Scouts will fill in some of the detail of the work of the Scouts: www.angloboerwar.com/unit-information/so...onial-scouts?start=3

He was likely issued with a QSA with clasp RoL by the Colonial Scouts.

He joined the Kimberley Light Horse and served in the relief of Mafeking and in the OFS and Transvaal. A medal was issued to him by the KLH but returned to the authorities (presumably unclaimed). His initial is E on the KLH roll.

I am not sure where that place is. Stirling, describing the work of the Kimberley Mounted Corps, says: On 7th August [1900] and for some days thereafter a portion of the corps was in contact with De Wet's forces when these broke across the Vaal. At this time a portion of the corps was employed about the Kimberley - Mafeking line, and a squadron was with Lord Erroll in the Western Transvaal in August and September.

There are no enrolment papers for the Colonial Scouts in W0126 but there are papers for the KLH in WO126/74-75.

Best wishes
David

Watt, did make a note "Machavie Sta?" in the reference column for this man, so I assume he had the same thoughts as you, certainly worth pursuing anyway.

Elmarie wrote: There was a place called "Machavie Station" near Klerksdorp in the Transvaal, (these days North West Province). Maybe that is the place you are looking for Malcolm?

Elmarie