TOPIC:

As I am a rather keen researcher on the Cape Police, I thought I would show a group that I have just completed researching.

Regards

Adrian


988 Pte C. Rudolph Cape Police and FID

Pte Carl Rudolph was born on the 17/03/1878 in Stutterheim in the Cape. He attested into the Cape Police District 1 on the 31/10/1895 at the age of 17 years and 7 months. His Christian name at the time of attestation was given as Carl (CGHGS and QSA are engraved and impressed respectively with "C" as the only initial and is as such on the roll pages). He was time expired on the 31/10/1901(confirmed on the QSA roll) and then joined the FID as Charles William Rudolph (KSA impressed with "C.W" as the initials and is as such on the KSA roll page which also confirms his service in the Cape Police District 1 as 988 Pte C.Rudolph) He served with the FID fron the 1/11/1901 until the 30/04/1902. On the 11/03/1903 he again attested into the Cape Police(confirmed on KSA roll page) as 1272 Pte First Class now calling himself Charles William Franz Rudolph.He attested again in 1906 and again in 1909 this time calling himself Charles William Frank Rudolph.

On the 18th August 1910 he was severely assulted in the course of detecting illicit liquor selling and received serious injuries to his head, jaw, shoulders, ribs and hands. He was granted 3 months sick leave.

Rudolph was eventually discharged on the 29/02/1912.

He was fluent in English, German, Dutch and Kaffir.

Interestingly, his medical sheet is signed by Colonel E.B.Hartley who was awarded the VC in 1879 for gallantry during the unsuccesful attack on Moirosi's Mountain in Basutoland.

The Bechuanaland clasp was awarded to the troops for operations which spanned the 24/12/1896 to 30/07/1897. The uprising stemmed from the edict to slaughter natives livestock to prevent the spread of virulent cattle disease. The revolt rapidly gained momentum and the local troops under Lt Col Dalgety were hard pressed to contain it. A large force was required to subdue the fighting and troops with volunteers were mobilized for the Bechuanaland Field Force. Actions were fought at Gamasep Kloof, Riet Kloof and finally Langberg on the 30/07/1897.


Rudolph passed away on the 3rd March 1945 in Stutterheim in the Cape.
Cause of death, Suicide

Below are the transcribed copies of the Death Notices as found in the Cape Archives


DEATH CERTIFICATE

Entry number –

Christian name(s); Carl Wilhelm Franz

Surname; Rudolph

Sex; Male

Age; 66 years

Race; European

Birthplace; Cape Province

Marital status; Married

Occupation; Messenger of Magistrate’s Court

Pensioner or dependant of pensioner; Receiving Police Pension

Date of death; 3 March 1945

Place of death; Stutterheim

Usual place of residence; Stutterheim

Intended place of burial; Stutterheim

Cause of death; Asphyxia due to hanging. The evidence points to
suicide.

Duration of disease or last illness ;

Name of medical practitioner; Dr N H K….. [illegible]

Informant; N Genis

Magistrate holding inquest;

Date registered; 20 March 1945

Place registered; Stutterheim


MOOC 6/9/11664 Ref 98074


DEATH NOTICE

Name of deceased; Carl Wilhelm Franz Rudolph

Birthplace; Stutterheim

Parents; Herman Rudolph

Mother’s name; unknown

Age; 66 years 11 months 15 days

Condition in life (occupation); Messenger to Resident Magistrate’s Court

Ordinary place of residence; Stutterheim

Marital status; Married

Name of surviving spouse; Lizzie Rudolph born Soll

Name & date of death of previous
Spouse;

Place of last marriage;

Day of the decease; 3 March 1945

Where the person died; Er No 7, Block J, Stutterheim

Children;

1) Ismay Ivy Pike born Rudolph

2) Edgar Charles John Rudolph

3) Doreen Anna Weiman born Rudolph

4) Thora Rose Roughead born Rudolph

5) Baden Rudolph

6) Sylvia Coetzee born Rudolph

Whether the deceased left
property and of what kind; Movable property

Has the deceased left a will? Yes

Signed at Stutterheim

Date 7 March 1945

Signed by I Pike
In what capacity; Daughter

INVENTORY



Furniture and household effects, £11 5s
Cash found in estate, £5 19s 3d

Adrian,

That's an excellent post - thank you! It just goes to show the benefit of research into the men and women behind the names on the rims of medals.

Many thanks
David

Thanks David,

Yes, it provided many hours of fun indeed. The real suprise was that he ended up commiting suicide!!!!

Regards

Adrian

Thank you Adrian. My grandmother Ismay Ivy Pike was his daughter. I did not know about this aspect of PTE Rudolph's life much less of his suicide. Thank you for all your efforts in researching this personally valuable piece of family history.
Rgds
Allan

Hello Allan,

My pleasure, glad to have been able to help you in some small way.

Regards
Adrian