TOPIC:

Hi All

Whilst on our recent holiday on the West Coast of the Cape we happened upon a small graveyard at a town called Clanwilliam. The following graves were there which I photographed. If anyone would like a copy of a particular grave please let me know.

Why these graves are in this town which was far from any action is unknown to me, maybe there was a hospital situated here? Any feedback regards this, would be greatly appreciated.

9620 DVR G. Jordan RFA 2.2.02
4626 L/CPL A. Brock 16th Lancers 23.4.02
5872 PTE W. Cole 3rd South Staf 21.6.02
16702 PTE J. Atkinson R.A.M.C. 24.6.02
C4 PTE. L. Padbury A.S.C. 15.7.02
(NO NUMBER) GUND Ferreira (l?) AT A.S.C. 28.4.02
9499 SAPPER Stallard R.E. 30.7.02
(NO NUMBER) S. Lyons 16th Lancers 20.12.01
4862 SGT G(C)atsworthy 16th Lancers 20.12.01
4028 CPL H. Orbell 10th Hussars 12.12.01
3654 L/CPL Jackson 16th Lancers 20.12.01
(NO NUMBER) Lt Thwaites R.A.M.C. 22.12.01
2060 PTE D. Edgar 16th Lancers 1.4.02
3061 PTE A. Tarling 16th Lancers 14.1.02
2397 L/CPL E. Dempsey 16th Lancers 24.12.01
3584 SGT H.J. Spencer 16th Lancers 2.1.02
4462 PTE E. Vosper 16th Lancers 28.1.02
5015 S/SMITH McGeary 17th Lancers 4.4.02
4009 TPR M.Clark 1st Gordon H/Ldrs 30.1.01
35177 TPR J.Esler I.Y. 2.1.02.

Regards
Brian

Brian

Many thanks for this post and your offer. I was particularly interested to see the Gordon Highlanders cross. While the other men buried in the cemetery all died in late 1901 or 1902, Pte Clark, GH, died in January 1901. What was this lone Highlander doing in Clanwilliam at that time? This is another Boer War puzzle to investigate.

Regards
Brett

PS I was pleased to see that the cemetery is decorated by the daisies that made Namaqualand famous.

Brett

Yes, it is a mystery regards this GH grave, I was hoping maybe Henk would have an answer? (UPDATE: Answer has been given in Davids reply below, thanks David)

I do suspect there were possibly more graves but the makers are missing as it is rather a sizeable graveyard and the military graves are in one area but with a number of gaps between graves and rows. I am now regretting not taking a general view picture.(I can always blame pressure from my better half, she was giving me "that look" from the road )

It is a very peaceful and well maintained place and the local flowers added a nice touch.

Brian

Brian,

I had a look at the casualty roll for these men. Notes appended below:

9620 DVR G. Jordan RFA 2.2.02 - DOD

4626 L/CPL A. Brock 16th Lancers 23.4.02 - DOD

5872 PTE W. Cole 3rd South Staf 21.6.02 - DOD

16702 PTE J. Atkinson R.A.M.C. 24.6.02 - DOD

C4 PTE. L. Padbury A.S.C. 15.7.02 - Enteric

(NO NUMBER) GUND Ferreira (l?) AT A.S.C. 28.4.02 Civ Conductor. Died of enteric.

9499 SAPPER Stallard R.E. 30.7.02 - DOD

(NO NUMBER) S. Lyons 16th Lancers 20.12.01 - KIA

4862 SGT G(C)atsworthy 16th Lancers 20.12.01 - cannot find this man on the roll

4028 CPL H. Orbell 10th Hussars 12.12.01 - KIA Klipfontein

3654 L/CPL Jackson 16th Lancers 20.12.01 - Initial T. KIA Doorn River. Listed on the Kroonstad monument.

(NO NUMBER) Lt Thwaites R.A.M.C. 22.12.01 - not listed on the casualty roll, nor in Dooner

2060 PTE D. Edgar 16th Lancers 1.4.02 - KIA nr Balmoral

3061 PTE A. Tarling 16th Lancers 14.1.02 - DOD

2397 L/CPL E. Dempsey 16th Lancers 24.12.01 - DOW nr Doorn River

3584 SGT H.J. Spencer 16th Lancers 2.1.02 - DOW nr Doorn River

4462 PTE E. Vosper 16th Lancers 28.1.02 - DOW nr Clanwilliam

5015 S/SMITH McGeary 17th Lancers 4.4.02 - DOD

4009 TPR M.Clark 1st Gordon H/Ldrs 30.1.01. Initial H. DOW nr Brandwin River, nr Clanwilliam

35177 TPR J.Esler I.Y. 2.1.02. - DOW nr Doorn River

For most of these men, the note mentions St John Church and an inscription therein?

Brian,

I think Lt Thwaites should be

Twigg, James Stuart, Lieutenant, RAMC. He was killed in action between Clanwilliam and Calvinia, December 22nd, 1901. He was born in October 1874, entered the Royal Army Medical Corps April 1900, and proceeded to South Africa in June serving there until his death.

Regards
David

Morning David

Thanks for this, interesting reading. I suspect Clanwilliam being the largest settlement in the area must have had a hospital?

As for 4862 SGT G(C)atsworthy 16th Lancers 20.12.01 - cannot find this man on the roll I am not sure if his surname is Gatsworthy or Catsworthy as the letter on the name plate is not that clearly defined.

Strange how some of these chaps have never been recorded as casualties in the war?

Sorry, I should have said in what graveyard they are buried, you are right they are all interned at the St John Church, half way down the main street of the town.There are also a few "unknown" graves as per plaques, one was to even named up as "Unknown 16th Lancer".

David suspect you are 100% right, I will add a close up of plate as it is recorded. Strange being an officer and they could not get the spelling right, what a shame!

Regards
Brian