TOPIC:

In Crompton Cemetery, Lancashire (now Greater Manchester).

Private John Gilks. Died of enteric fever on 9th December 1902, aged 22. Son of Absalom and Sarah Elizabeth Gilks, Rushcroft, Crompton. His name is on Crompton's Boer War memorial plaque.

HE FOUGHT THROUGH THE WHOLE OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN
CAMPAIGNE, AND WAS SPOKEN OF BY HIS SUPERIORS,
AS AN EXCEPTIONALLY BRAVE SOLDIER.
(spelling and punctuation as inscribed)

There's another line, quite faint, which reads "Interred at .....st.. Cemetery, Natal" If someone can suggest a name I can see if that helps me decipher the inscription.

Hello Berenice,

It seems that he is buried in the Newcastle Cemetery in Natal.I have not found a memorial stone or individual grave stone with his name on it in the old Newcastle grave yard.

Birth: unknown
Death: Dec. 9, 1902
Newcastle
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Son of Absalom and Sarah Elizabeth Gilks.
Died of Enteric Fever Aged 22 years
Interred at Newcastle Cemetery NATAL (S/A)
He fought through the whole of the South African campaign and was spoken of by his superiors as an "exceptionally brave soldier".

Awarded the Queens South Africa Medal with S/A 1902 Clasp.
(Possible service number 5356, Kings Shropshire Regiment.)

Info found here:

www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gsr...Gilks ..



Regards
Adrian

Yes, Newcastle. I thought the first letter might be 'N'.

Ah well, now I don't need to post the Crompton memorial. But I might do anyway

Berenice, Adrian

Many thanks. Steve Watts' book confirms that he is buried in Newcastle and was indeed K.S.L.I.

Best wishes,

Justin