TOPIC:

Private 3858 Ralph Dredge, 19th Hussars – unjustified defamation of character?

I am currently checking through what I suspect will be the final version of my Smethwickian Database which now contains 206 names of those who militarily served in the Boer War of 1899 to 1902. One of my checks is to see if they appear on the ABW Forum Name Search – I am halfway through this exercise and have already found 26 new candidates. It is also proving useful as in a few cases it has pointed me to something I have overlooked. When I checked Private Dredge, born in Smethwick late 1866/early 1867, I received a surprise.



I have found his QSA Medal Roll and there is no mention on it of him being imprisoned. It does agree with the four clasps. A KSA medal roll shows he also received the KSA medal because he was in South Africa from slightly after the start of the war to after the end. The latter information comes from his service records which show he embarked in India for South Africa three days before the war started.

One cannot say he had an entirely exemplary military career – he enlisted in July 1892 and received his first GC pay rise two years later. Two years after that he forfeited it, but it was restored a year later. In March 1899 he received his second GC pay rise but on 27th October 1899, which must have been shortly after he arrived in South Africa, he forfeited it. It was restored exactly a year later on 27th October 1900 two days before he was allegedly a prisoner or about to become one. His service records make no mention of him being court martialled or imprisoned.

Can anybody resolve this apparent contradictory evidence for me in what appears to be a case of unjustified defamation of character?

Hi Smethwick,

I've just read the post above and I believe that the event that you are referring to and the attachment that you have provided which refers to 3858 Private R. Dredge is of an event that unfolded at Helvetia on the 29th December 1900 when the Boers attacked in the early morning capturing the town with British soldiers and an artillery piece before being repulsed.

I have located a few articles which outlays some more information of this incident -










The last article talks about 21 Hussars (of the 19th Hussars) which are still missing, considered Prisoners of War, which I believe where Pte. Ralph Dredge may play a part as per your attachment under Notes. I hope that I'm on the right track, otherwise I would be happy if another forum member can also attribute further information.

Trev

Very many thanks Trev.

I think this ancient brain needs a re-bore. Firstly I originally read Helvetia as St Helena - original post now corrected. Then I once again forgot that the Boers did take prisoners. If anybody was guilty of defamation of character it was me!

Hi Smethwick,

I'm glad that you are happy with the information that I was able to provide. As you mentioned, even though Pte. Dredge might have not of had an exemplary military career, I would hate to see him doing any more unnecessary hard time. It's also good to hear that you have now located 206 soldiers of the Boer War and you are on the final version of your Smethwickian Database. Congrats.

Trev.