TOPIC:

I'm doing family research, I have ancestor who was a carpenter working in South Africa with the South Africa Field Force. 1900 - 1907 possibly before..

Could someone please explain to me, what the "South Africa Field Force" was. Was it part of the British Army?

Cheers

Welcome to this forum.
'South African Field Force' refers to that part of the British Army that was in South Africa during the Boer War. It included all the units on the British side, including ones raised specifically for this war, from the local Colonies (Natal and Cape Colony), and from elsewhere in the Empire (e.g. Canada, Australia).
Regards
Brett

Welcome to the forum...... It might help if you provided us with a name...... And what information you have now that can help us with tracking him down.....

Mike

His name is Edward Thomas Wilson, born Malta 1869.

His Parents:
Malta
BELLA, Fillomina, 19 years, spinster, born Corfu, daughter of John Bella, married 14th January 1865 to
WILSON, John, 29 years, bachelor, born Bristol, Staff-Sergeant, son of John Wilson,

History
English Census 1871 - Family living at Colewort Barracks - John Wilson 36 yrs 3 Class Staff Clerk - Edward aged 2

English Census 1881 - Family living at 60 Malins Road Portsmouth - John Wilson 45 yr Staff Clerk - Edward aged 12

English Censes 1901 - Family living at 56 or 58 Montgomerie Road Porthsmouth - John Wilson 66 yr Army Pensioner ex Warrant Officer Garrison Staff - no record of Edward on this census

Trade Union Member Register for Amalgamated Society of Carpenters & Joiners dated 1900 & 1906 indicated that he was serving in South Africa Field Force

Any assistance with finding information on him would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

Here is some information from FMP......

First name(s) Thomas Edward
Last name Wilson
Service number(s) 1508
Rank Private
Regiment The Gloucestershire Regiment
Literary references The National Archives WO97. Regular army service papers.

or

First name(s) E T
Last name Wilson
Service number(s) 12916
Rank Private
Regiment Royal Army Medical Corps

Looks like you will have to go to Kew to look at original papers to find out which one.....

Mike

Thomas Edward Wilson was born in Bristol and Edward Taylor Wilson was born in Newcastle Upon Tyne, a labourer and a chemist, certainly not a carpenter and neither born in Malta.

QSAMIKE wrote: Here is some information from FMP......

First name(s) Thomas Edward
Last name Wilson
Service number(s) 1508
Rank Private
Regiment The Gloucestershire Regiment
Literary references The National Archives WO97. Regular army service papers.

or

First name(s) E T
Last name Wilson
Service number(s) 12916
Rank Private
Regiment Royal Army Medical Corps

Looks like you will have to go to Kew to look at original papers to find out which one.....

Mike