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Mikky wrote: Hi Dave thanks for reply. I will ask. I've been looking a bit further into his life but no definite hit on military service.

John Cummings a 21 year old gardener Rumford, Falkirk, married Mary McNeil age 20 of Craigend, Maddiston, on the 31st of December 1880 at Muiravonside Parish Church.

A colliery engineman, he died aged 68 on November the 26th, 1927

Mike

Mike, I cannot make a Boer War connection at present.
The 1901 Scottish census has John 41 and Mary 39 living with their 2 sons and 4 daughters.
I am hoping your friend may have a little more info for us? There are numerous Cummings and Cummins to check out. Any additional clues would be most welcomed. The photograph fits the timeframe, however how sure is your friend that the image is of John?

Regards

Dave.

Thanks for your efforts Dave. Have asked them if they're sure it's him but no reply yet.

Mike

Hi all. Yes that's definitely him. They have a photo of him and his wife. I think his service must have been before the Boer War. By 1900 he had a young family. I suppose the uniform would have been similar from 1880-1900?

Mike

Dave F wrote: The 1901 Scottish census has John 41 and Mary 39 living with their 2 sons and 4 daughters.

The December 1899 War Office Terms of Service for serving in the Imperial Yeomanry were that you had to be 20 to 35 years of age. So if he did serve in the IY he would have had to lie about his age.