TOPIC:

Does anyone have information about chaplains in the Boer War?

My great grandfather, Charles Crisp, was a chaplain in the 2nd Boer War, according to family oral history. He was originally from South Australia, but he and 2 brothers were in the Kalgoorlie/Coolgardie gold fields and it is thought he embarked from there, however, he is nowhere to be found in any records.

He definitely was there as my great grandmother disembarked from the SS Commonwealth in Durban on 5th July 1903 and they were married in the Baptist church office the following day, the 6th July 1903. He worked on the railways for the Kimberly Diamond mines and their two daughters were born at Glencoe Junction. With the unrest in Natal, his wife and daughters were sent home with Charles returning on 15th December 1908.

Recently, I found a beautifully illustrated book of the battlefields of the Boer War and tucked inside its pages was a photograph of a group of Chaplains in different uniforms, one of whom I believe to be my grandfather. The photograph is taken in India at the Belgaum Soldiers Home.

The only Charles Crisp I found was a member of the Norfolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Private Service No. 4909. His family emigrated to Australia from Norwich, Norfolk, so I wondered if he joined the Norfolk regiment.

Does anyone have information that may enlighten me on how he could have arrived in Africa and who he was attached to? Did he go to India for training prior to arriving in South Africa?

He was also a saddler by trade.

Thanks
Sharon

Hello Sharon

As per your previous request for information pertaining to Charles Crisp.

angloboerwar.com/forum/2-introductions/3...iers-home-in-belgaum

I have checked the medal rolls for Chaplains who served during the conflict. Alas, I did not manage to locate a Charles Crisp in the records. You mentioned a Charles Crisp serving in the Norfolk regiment. 4609 Private C Crisp was born in Lowestoft, he was a gas cleaner by trade. He spent over 3 years in South Africa. His father was called Anthony, a brother called Herbert is also mentioned. He did not serve in India. I have looked at other records for Charles/ Chas and C Crisp with no joy unfortunately. There were Australian and New Zealand Crisp candidates but nothing to link to your man reference saddler or chaplain. Are the family sure he served as a chaplain during the ABW? Sometimes history passed down from generations can be misinterpreted. Have you tried the Family search website? There maybe reference to Charles Crisp regarding his time in South Africa and his service with the railways and Kimberley. Immigration records are also available on that site I believe.

I wish you well in your quest.

Regards


Dave.....

Thank you so much for this information. We know he was there as his fiance went to Durban to marry him. I have their marriage record and my grandmother and her sister were born there.

Croweater wrote: Thank you so much for this information. We know he was there as his fiance went to Durban to marry him. I have their marriage record and my grandmother and her sister were born there.

Hi Sharon

I was not questioning him not being in South Africa with his family.
I was trying to ascertain the family history behind his supposed service as a chaplain in the war. It could be possible he was connected through the Wesleyan church and worked with the chaplains department. It is frustrating regarding the lack of immigration documents regarding his journey to South Africa and the time frame in which he arrived. Was it during the conflict or after?

Best wishes

Dave......

PS. I was unsuccessful in locating any paperwork regarding a possible India connection to Mr Crisp. However, there was certainly a Wesleyan connection .

Sharon,
he may well have been very closely associated with the war and the fighting men - many, if not most, South Africans were closely associated - but your and Dave's searches merely indicate he wasn't directly employed by the army. So the oral history of his service and the lack of military records do not contradict each other. There's also the possibility he was a chaplain to the Boers!
Rob