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....From a letter home by 8182 Private E. Smeeton, Royal Army Medical Corps, which appeared in The Derbyshire Times, Saturday 6th January 1900 - "We had a very nice voyage out.....We had one death on board ship, and he was thrown overboard. I felt sorry for him. He leaves a wife and two children in England."

….Lance-Corpl. A. Bennett, 7271, 3rd Essex Regt., died from apoplexy, at sea on board the s.s. Oratava, on April 1.

Chelmsford Chronicle, Friday 25th April 1902

C. J. G. Weston appears in Elmarie's list of 'died at sea,' but with no known date of death. According to a newspaper report he died on Monday 29th October 1900.

Reporting on the return of the City of London Imperial Volunteers to England, the Essex County Chronicle [Friday 2nd November 1900] said: - "London suffered a bitter disappointment on Saturday...….word passed round that the Aurania could not possibly arrive at Southampton until too later in the day for the official programme to be carried out. The troop ship was docked twenty-four hours late......The Aurania left her anchorage off Netley Hospital before eight o'clock on Monday morning and was berthed in Southampton Dock at 7.50......As the disembarkation proceeded the sad tidings were announced that Private C. J. G. Weston, who was reported on Saturday night as dangerously ill from enteric fever, died at 4.30 that morning. Pt. Weston was a member of the 2nd Vol. Batt. West Surrey Regt., and he had become very popular among his comrades in the C.I.V."

Later in the same article: - "The funeral of Private Weston, of Godalming, the member of the C.I.V. whose death is recorded above, took place yesterday afternoon at Busbridge, near Godalming, with full military honours. Many C.I.V.'s were present."

So he died at sea, but his body was brought ashore for burial.

Full name was Charles John Greene Weston, and he was aged 26.

Very good, thanks Berenice. I had Weston's death as 29-10-1900 At sea SS Aurania, this came from the premier CIV collector and researcher, Jack Webb.

Interesting to note his body was bought ashore. He is commemorated in St Peter & St Paul, Godalming, not St. John the Baptist in Busbridge.

Presumably there is a gravestone for him? As this is within striking distance of where I live I would be able to visit it.

The homeward voyage of the Canada, which has arrived at Southampton with troops from the Cape, was so unusually full of sorrowful incidents that a complete damper was put on the spirits of all on board.

The ship left Table Bay on July 18, and the following day Gunner Findley of the Hants Militia Artillery, jumped overboard, and was drowned. It is believed that his mind was affected.

Some days afterwards Lieutenant Poole, a Yeomanry officer, died of dysentery, and was buried at sea. Among those who were nearest to that part of the deck from which the body was committed to the deep was Captain Shaw-Stewart, of the 17th Lancers, son of Sir Michael and Lady Octavia Shaw-Stewart, of Fonthill Abbey, Wilts. Just after the service had commenced he fell overboard.

Again, as in the case of Findley, every possible attempt was made at rescue. The boats remained out for fully an hour, but though some of the lifebuoys thrown over immediately the cry of "Man overboard!" was raised, were recovered, nothing was seen of Captain Shaw-Stewart from the moment he touched the water.

The date of this tragic occurrence was Sunday, July 28th, when the ship was three days the other side of Las Palmas. The explanation which finds most general acceptance is that the ill-fated officer, being desirous of taking a snapshot of a funeral at sea, climbed on to the rail to make a more effective use of his kodak, and then, suddenly overbalancing himself, fell headlong into the sea.

The Western Gazette, Friday 9th August 1901

"The news was received at Rye on Wednesday afternoon that Trooper Lewis Lewns, of the East Kent Imperial Yeomanry, had died on board ship coming home from South Africa. Deceased, who was a nephew of the late Mr. Carlton Lewns, a well-known Hastings man, was formerly a cyclist of the "E" Company, 1st C.P.R.V., and throughout the campaign in South Africa had suffered no mishaps beyond being thrown from his horse. On the way down country to Capetown he contracted malaria, from which he succumbed when the ship was only a few days out. He was much respected at Rye, and quite a gloom was cast over the whole town.

The Hastings and St. Leonards Observer, Saturday 15th June 1901

His birth was registered at Rye, as Frederick Louis Lewns, in the fourth quarter of 1878.

BereniceUK wrote: "The news was received at Rye on Wednesday afternoon that Trooper Lewis Lewns, of the East Kent Imperial Yeomanry, had died on board ship coming home from South Africa. Deceased, who was a nephew of the late Mr. Carlton Lewns, a well-known Hastings man, was formerly a cyclist of the "E" Company, 1st C.P.R.V., and throughout the campaign in South Africa had suffered no mishaps beyond being thrown from his horse. On the way down country to Capetown he contracted malaria, from which he succumbed when the ship was only a few days out. He was much respected at Rye, and quite a gloom was cast over the whole town.

The Hastings and St. Leonards Observer, Saturday 15th June 1901

His birth was registered at Rye, as Frederick Louis Lewns, in the fourth quarter of 1878.

Deaths At Sea (FmP) shows the cause as enteric.

His parents placed a memorial in St Mary the Virgin, Rye detailing his sad demise:

"TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN MEMORY OF
FREDERICK LOUIS LEWNS
TROOPER 33rd COMPANY EAST KENT IMPERIAL YEOMANRY
(PRIVATE E Coy 1st CINQUE PORT RIFLE VOLUNTEERS)
YOUNGEST SON OF EDWARD KITCHEN AND MARY ANN LEWNS
WHO DIED AT SEA JUNE 4th 1901
ON BOARD THE SS TINTAGEL CASTLE WHILST ON
HIS HOMEWARD VOYAGE FROM THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA
AGED 22 YEARS
"UNTIL THE DAY DAWNS"
THIS TABLET ERECTED AS A TRIBUTE OF AFFECTION BY HIS SORROWING PARENTS"