TOPIC:

In the "Woman dressed in IY uniform" thread here, EFV posted a picture of a woman in Hout Bay, connected to a "Captain Strong". I thought I'd give a slight go at discovering who this captain might be.

Searching the medal rolls for the war comes back with two captains, but there will probably be more:
- Charles Walton Strong, Kitchener's Fighting Scouts
- Edgar Hugh Strong, Southern Rhodesia Volunteers

I reproduce the picture of Captain Strong provided by EFV, only for the purposes of identification for which it was originally provided:

Charles Walton Strong
Captain Charles Walton Strong was adjutant of the 1st Kitchener's Fighting Scouts. He was captured in a commando ambush on 26 February 1901 which has previously been discussed on this forum. By May 1902 he was reported in various British newspapers to be seriously ill with enteric fever. He appears to have survived, receiving his QSA with clasps CC, OFS, T, and SA01, and depending on the handwriting on the medal roll, he retired on 11 December 1901 or 1906.

I have been unable to quickly locate any image of C. W. Strong, but can provide one of other officers from 1st Kitchener's Fighting Scouts:

(from Bosleys)

Comparing Captain Strong's uniform with the eclectic mix found in this photograph, there are clear similarities in the style of breast pocket, (occasional) wearing of ties and shirts, uniform without Sam Browne, spurs, and medal ribbons.

Edgar Hugh Strong
Captain Edgar Hugh Strong (born 8 February 1867) was the surgeon captain commanding the Medical Staff Corps of the Southern Rhodesia Volunteers. He received his QSA with clasps for RoM and Rhodesia.

Here he is in all his (leopard print?) finery:

(from Window on Rhodesia/Colin Weyer)

The uniform is very different, from the lapels to the colour, although one must not discount the possibility of informal/formal dress! That said, there are similarities in the moustache and again the medals. I cannot decide whether his facial features (ears, nose, eyes, especially) are a match.

With my initial bit of research over, any suggestions or comments much appreciated!

The officer in EFV’s photo is a matinee idol, I don’t think Rhodesian men were ever as well groomed, in my day or before… and also I don’t think he resembles Edgar Hugh much at all.