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Hallo all,
I'm working on a history of the Franschhoek Valley. A rather big black hole in the manuscript relates to the Anglo Boer War period. About all we know is that there was a training camp of the Western Province Mounted Rifles in the village and that they manned a number of forts at the mountain crossings.
Does anybody know where we can get hold of the regimental records? Any suggestions as to how to go about finding information on what happened here during that period will also be appreciated - unfortunately there was no local paper at the time.
I've not had any luck on NAAIRS.
Thanks
Siegfried Schafer

Hello Siegfried and welcome to the forum. It sounds like you have set yourself quite a task.

I am not sure what regimental records will exist for the WPMR. What there are would, I guess, be stored in Cape Town as I know of nothing here in the UK.

Perhaps Adrian will be better acquainted with what is available?

Have you used the search to look for your keywords as there may be references embedded in some of the PDF files.

Best wishes with your work
David

Hello Siegfried,
Welcome, from memory, you will find a small number of attestations in WO126/164 at the TNA Kew London, for members of this unit.
Kind regards Frank

Hello Siegfried,

I can tell you that NAAIRS will not really help you at all. None of the military attestation papers or defaulter books etc are on NAAIRS. In the Cape Archives I have never come across attestation papers to the WPMR or for that mater most of the Cape Regiments. Those that are represented are the Cape Police (Attestation Papers and Enrollment Registers), the Cape Mounted Rifles (Defaults Registers)and the Cape Peninsula Garrison Regiment WW1 (Attestation Papers)FAMP (enlistment Register). There are many other files and refs etc for the award of Colonial LSGC medals, Cape of Good Hope General Service Medal and a few QSA rolls.Also many refs pertaining to standing orders, pay issues etc etc.

Having said all this, theses are what I have found and I am still surprised from time to time.

Natie Greeff the curator at the Castle might be better placed to assist you as he has a large library of reference material at the Castle and might just have something on the WPMR. His details are:

+27 21 787 1153 and [email protected]

Regards
Adrian

Thanks Frank. I'll get a friend in the UK to go have a look.

Hello Adrian
Thanks for the pointers. I'll be sure to contact Mr Greeff.
Kind regards
siegfried