TOPIC:

Hi,

My interest in this forum is seeing if anyone can help me find out more about my great grandfather and his brothers' military history in South Africa (as part of my family tree research I am creating at http://www.rootsunearthed.com ).

They are:

• Guy Archibald Forrest
• George Francis Forrest
• Charles Evelyn Forrest

They received the Queens and/or Kings South Africa medals (see medal rolls attached), however other than Charles' summary in "De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour" I can find no other information about their service in South Africa. I've searched the South Africa National Archives for every reference of "FORREST" but no luck.

I am also not sure what the rank of Guy and George Forrest means in the first medal roll image ("3/c 3pr"?)...nor what the cross with dots in the "Remarks" column means.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Many thanks,

Giles

Giles
I found the roll pages rather difficult to read; however the "3cl 3pr" sounds like 3rd Class Trooper to me. However, I cannot see where you got it from on the roll pages! The cross-with-dots is sometimes seen and clearly had a meaning to someone at some time. Usually very difficult to ascertain why at this remove. Are there any supplementary rolls of personal papers re military service?
Regarding Lt. C.E.Forrest of Oxford LI, the Palmer roll shows him as with 1st Bn and wounded at Elandsfontein on 29051900. However, the Services of Officers for the ABW shows a lot more -
Employed with MI, ops in OFS Feb to May 1900 including actions at Zand River and Vet River,Ops in Tvaal May and June 1900 incl, near Jo'berg, Ops in Cape Colony south of Orange River 99-00. Ops in Tvaal, May to July 01 and Oct 01 to May 02, Ops in ORC July to Oct 01. Despatches LG 10Sept 01 QM with 3 clasps, Kings medal two clasps and DSO.
Assuming that the above is of interest to you, I can supply a bit more bio if you like, including a poorish pic. You did know that he was Killed in Action in Mespotamia in Nov 1915?
Regards
IL.

Thanks IL!

Regarding Charles - this is the info I have on him: Charles Evelyn FORREST (you'll see I have a photo from DeRuvigny's)

If you have any more information that would be great!

I've zoomed in on the medal roll - see attached - 3rd class trooper would seem to make sense.

Is there anywhere that shows the various ranks and descriptions? I have this for British Army ranks.

Many thanks,

Giles

Giles
Looking at the blow-up; yes! Definitely 3rd Class Tpr. The SAC was a police force raised by Baden Powell and intended to control the pacified areas. In fact, it served as an operational unit and manned the blockhouse line as well as undertaking offensive patrols, etc. up to the end of the war. The SAC was a very large unit (over 7k by May 1901). There are others on this site who are far more knowledgeable re the rank structure SAC than IL. However, as I understand it, the structure was more on Police lines than military.
Apparently there is a fair bit of info on members of the SAC in archives in SA. Again, I am sure that others might assist in that direction. Or point you towards a researcher.
The pic of C.E.Forrest in the VC and DSO book is a bit better than the one you showed; but not much! Regarding further info on his SA service, you might consider looking for the Regimental history of the OxLI.
Good luch with your family "tree"
IL.

The South African Constabulary was not part of the British Army, rank and file papers for members of it's B Division are available from the National Archives of South Africa and are in Pretoria.

gilesforrest wrote: Thanks IL!

Regarding Charles - this is the info I have on him: Charles Evelyn FORREST (you'll see I have a photo from DeRuvigny's)

If you have any more information that would be great!

I've zoomed in on the medal roll - see attached - 3rd class trooper would seem to make sense.

Is there anywhere that shows the various ranks and descriptions? I have this for British Army ranks.

Many thanks,

Giles

Thanks Frank. Are the records searchable online? I've searched NAAIRN but no results for the individuals - or do I need to engage a local researcher in SA?

Regards,

Giles