TOPIC:

I am researching the part my G/Dad had during the boer war. His reg.No is 1131 10th coy In your records there is a william templeton with no reg.No is this the same person.His horse No was 1172.Rank Trooper.He volunteered on the 19/03/1900 and was discharged about the 17/07/1902. can you give me any details of his actions or service record he served with the 4th contingent.

Good Evening Dorothy.......

I have found two William Templeton's in the Imperial Yeomanry lists......

Templeton, William 751, Trooper 1st Scottish Horse
Templeton, William John 3659, Sergeant 29th Coy., 9th Bn. I.Y.

They are also both listed in Find My Past.......

Mike

Hi Dorothy,

I guessed by your surname you were probably a kiwi, and the mention of 4th Contingent suggested perhaps he served with the New Zealand Mounted Rifles. I see now that he did, sailing with the contingent on board the Monowai on 24/3/1900. His service file is available online here: www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullIte...20523829&digital=yes

The file doesn't tell you anything about his service in the field, which is usual for these records unfortunately. You can assume he served the full period of time the contingent was in South Africa, and he is confirmed as receiving the Queen's South Africa Medal w/clasps 'Cape Colony', 'Transvaal', 'Rhodesia', 'South Africa 1901'. This medal was in the Wyndham Museum at one stage, but I don't know if it's still there now.

The histories of New Zealand's involvement in South Africa are patchy at best, but have a read of:

D.O.W. Hall (1949). The New Zealanders in South Africa 1899‐1902.
John Crawford with Ellen Ellis (1999). To Fight for the Empire: An Illustrated History of New
Zealand and the South African War, 1899‐1902.
Richard Stowers (2002). Rough Riders at War

Happy to help further if required. Do you have a photograph of your grandfather at all? I only have the one that appeared in the 4th Contingent commemorative booklet, which is not great quality regretably.

Kind regards
Phil

Good Morning Dorothy.......

Sorry for going down the wrong path...... When I saw 10th coy and Rank Trooper, I jumped to the conclusion of Imperial Yeomanry.......

Phil's reply solves the problem I am sure......

Mike

Hi Dorothy,

I would concur with that assessment by Phil regarding Private William Owen Templeton 1139 4th NZMR. It would appear his brother George Stewart Templeton also served in the Boer War, 8089 NZMR 9th Cont. Both NOK being listed as Thomas Templeton (Father) from Fortrose, Otago. Both (Brothers) are buried in the Wyndham Cemetery, SI.

Fortrose & Wyndham are not big places, well weren't when I was last there. Maybe be worth digging around in that general area for other descendants of the Templeton's and the family history.

Goodluck with your research.