TOPIC:

Hi Guys,
Have just this moment joined the forum! My interest in this conflict is limted to the Post Office Corps (Volunteers from the 24th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers) and Royal Engineers Telegraph Reserve - who were also mainly men drawn from the 24th Middlesex, although other experienced teleghraphists were allowed to join the reserve or voilunteer for service in SA who were not members of the 24th Middx.

Always happy to help others or simply chat on this subject.
Regards
Dave

Hello Dave.....

Welcome to the forum..... Have a few POC medals in my collection and also the First Brigade Major of the RE School of Signals..... Hope that you enjoy yourself....

Mike

Welcome aboard, Dave !

Cheers,

Mark

Hi Guys
Many thanks for the welcome.
Regards
Dave

I am hoping you will be able to answer a few general queries relating to my grandfather.

He was a telegraphist working in Glasgow at the turn of the C20th. I know that he took part in the Boer War and as he does not appear on the 1901 census I presume he was in South Africa at that time (2nd Boer War).

Presumably he would have been in the R.E.or The Post Office Reserves as a GPO employee. I have the feeling that he didn't play an active fighting role but would have been 'behind the lines' sending messages.

I have a 'Bulletin' written in Afrikaans & English dated 13.1.1900, Heidelberg. War News - Official
(Text reads:)
12 a.m. All the commandos report 'everything quiet.' The fort at Mafeking was yesterday all together destroyed, our losses one slightly wounded, the enemy has presumably lost heavily. Small skirmishes take place at Colesberg. Every time enemy being repulsed with loss.

The fact that this has been kept all this time suggests that he was there at the time or even that he sent this message.

I would be interest in your thoughts and any information that you can give to extend my understanding of his role.

Regards

Hello and welcome,
Could you tell us the name of your grandfather?
Regards Frank

Gilchrist wrote: I am hoping you will be able to answer a few general queries relating to my grandfather.

He was a telegraphist working in Glasgow at the turn of the C20th. I know that he took part in the Boer War and as he does not appear on the 1901 census I presume he was in South Africa at that time (2nd Boer War).

Presumably he would have been in the R.E.or The Post Office Reserves as a GPO employee. I have the feeling that he didn't play an active fighting role but would have been 'behind the lines' sending messages.

I have a 'Bulletin' written in Afrikaans & English dated 13.1.1900, Heidelberg. War News - Official
(Text reads:)
12 a.m. All the commandos report 'everything quiet.' The fort at Mafeking was yesterday all together destroyed, our losses one slightly wounded, the enemy has presumably lost heavily. Small skirmishes take place at Colesberg. Every time enemy being repulsed with loss.

The fact that this has been kept all this time suggests that he was there at the time or even that he sent this message.

I would be interest in your thoughts and any information that you can give to extend my understanding of his role.

Regards