TOPIC:

Looking for some input and clarity on the above mentioned soldier.

I'm in the early stages of researching this individual but I have found that he was from a military family. His father (George) served 15th Regiment of Foot. I believe Henry Patrick Eden was born in Fulwood Barracks, Preston.

I've found his records, it shows enlistment 31/12/89 in Sheffield at the age of 14 years 4 months. This is interesting because this man also served with the CEF in the First World War and gave a different date of birth - 1878 versus, presumably, 1875. I would therefore assume he truly enlisted at the age of 11 or 12, funnily enough, the exact age he was "Physically equivalent to" on the following page of his examination.

He transferred out of the 2nd East Yorks and moved to the Royal Highlanders "...to serve with his elder brother" - he had two brothers, his elder, George, and a younger brother, Louis - I have not been able to locate their records at the current time. His records also make note of a "Horse Guards Letter" - would this have been the document that allowed him to transfer?

His service shows that he served in Gibraltar, Egypt, Mauritius, India and South Africa. I believe I read that the Royal Highlanders kept half a battalion in India and the other in South Africa around this time.

His First World War documents are interesting, serving in a few units until ending up in the Special Guard Canadian Military Police Corps, but I would be grateful for any more details of him, his unit or family in relation to the Boer War.

Thanks!

4851 Corporal Henry Patrick Eden 1st battalion Black Watch.(Royal Highlanders)
Born April 26th 1878 ?
Henry Patrick Eden
Registration Year: 1878
Registration Quarter: Apr-May-Jun
Registration District: Preston

1881 Census at Beverly Barracks Yorkshire has Henry aged 2 years old and born in Preston Lancashire. His sister Mary was born in Aldershot Hampshire which is the location Henry used on his attestation papers. Other family members were, his father George, mother Ellen, his sisters Mary and Helena and his older brother George. Also, there was a Mary Smith aged 50 living with the family. I think Lewis/ Louis was born in 1882 in Beverley Yorkshire.

1891 Census has Henry residing in Yorkshire in Barracks- Rank - Drummer (Bandsman)

Medal roll W0100/100 records Henry as having 4 clasps for his QSA. OFS/TRANSV/ plus 2 date clasps. Interestingly under Henry’s entry there is a Lewis B Eden 7320 L/ Corp, same entitlement but his entry has been crossed out. (Roll date 26th November 1902 Edinburgh)

The Canadian connection ref WW1 also records Henry as a musician. It seems he made his home in Canada and he died in Winnipeg in 1932. ( Find a Grave has a picture of the headstone with a poignant single poppy placed by it)
Also, I found a Louis B Eden living in Canada (Christian name different) born in Yorkshire (Hull) also in 1882. However, his previous military experience has him serving 7 years in the 13th Hussars in SA not the Black Watch. More research required for sure. The papers you have provide a wealth of information for you to build up a backstory to Henry. I think it also mentions Australia regarding his father George on his next of kin section.
I wish you well in your future research into the Eden family.



Corporal Henry Eden - SA time line, 307 days. 6th December 1901 to 28th October 1902
1st Battalion Black Watch
The 1st Battalion arrived in South Africa from India about the end of December 1901, and in his despatch of 8th January 1902 Lord Kitchener remarks, "On receipt of the news of this successful attack (that is, the capture of about a battalion of Yeomanry at Tweefontein on 25th December 1901) I arranged to reinforce General Rundle by the 1st Black Watch and 4th King's Royal Rifles". General Rundle issued an order to the colonel of the 1st Black Watch stating that their expeditious march and timely arrival had saved a critical situation. The battalion was afterwards chiefly employed on the construction of the blockhouse lines, and in guarding these lines during the big driving operations which went on in the north of the Orange River Colony down to the close of the campaign. In Lord Kitchener's final despatch 7 officers and 9 non-commissioned officers of the Royal Highlanders were mentioned, but these names embraced both 1st and 2nd Battalions

Thank you once more, Dave! I appreciate your input on this!

I managed to track down his older brother "George William Eden" who enlisted into the East Yorks Regt (2195) in 1886 and transferred into the Royal Highlanders (4353) in 1890. His records note "Brother Henry (younger) serving with 1/Batt. B.W. - It appears their services overlapped and they spent time in Gibraltar, Egypt and Mauritius together before George William Eden got sent Home. Looks like he had tuberculosis and was discharged from the army and died two months later in June 1896.

I have been looking into the other brother as well, Louis, and went down the same trail as yourself. I managed to identify that he was named Louis/Lewis Benjamin Eden, and went as Benjamin upon his enlistment. His records are under 2867 East Yorks, but it states "Failed to report for bounty. Struck off". I wonder if this is his failed transfer to the Royal Highlanders from the East Yorks? Not entirely sure what "report for bounty" means. Looking at the Canadian Eden's records, his family matches up, so this must be the same man. But the 13th Hussars and 7 years in S.A. I cannot make sense of. I looked in the 13th Hussars medal rolls and found no reference.

Sans Changer

The 13 Hussars, 7 years service is certainly muddying the waters.

I found Benjamin L Eden in Bulford camp in the 1901 Census (aged 20). I searched for the 2 soldiers each side of Benjamin’s name on the census, all the names served in the 2nd Battalion Black Watch and are all on medal rolls. Two of the soldiers went on to serve in Mounted infantry Battalions (22nd).
I notice there are private members on Ancestry who have researched Benjamin / Louis. It might be worth a private e-mail to them for any possible information which may shine some light on his military service in South Africa.

Best regards
Dave