TOPIC:

I am researching the military career of my grandfather who served in the South African war and I am hoping you can help me with a few details.
I would like to know when his service in the Horseguards started and finished and when they returned from S.A.
I also have a photo on the back of which it says B Squad (16 soldiers) taken about the time of the Boer War by Russell& co, Olympia House.
Are there any records kept of official photos? as I would like to confirm which one is Herbert Daw.
I would greatly appreciate any help you can give.

Terry Park

Park wrote:
Are there any records kept of official photos? as I would like to confirm which one is Herbert Daw.

Terry Park

Hello and Welcome Terry.....

Wish I could find this myself.......

Here is his Find my Past entry.......


First name(s) - H
Last name - Daw
Service number(s) - 593
Rank - Trooper
Regiment - Royal Horse Guards (The Blues)
Notes - Still Signalling Staff.
The Queen's South Africa (QSA) Medal Clasps: Paardeberg, Dreifontein, Relief of Kimberley, Transvaal


Mike

Daw joined the Household Cavalry on the 12th of September 1896, posted to the Blues on the 15th, he initially served in South Africa from the 4th of December 1899 to the 28th of November 1900 and then again from the 19th of January 1901 to the 13th of May 1902.
He was discharged on the 3rd of April 1903 after paying £18 to do so, copies of his papers are in WO400 at Kew, the originals will be retained by the HC themselves and would be available for your inspection at Combermere, so you should talk to them, in particular, with regard to photographs.
Very exceptional soldiers and really amongst the very best within the cavalry deployed on the western front.

Thank you for welcoming me to your site and for your very informative replies.
Can I ask you what 'Still Signalling Staff ' means and was it a specific duty for H.Daw?
There is a photogragh on the Household Cavalry web site of them prior to departure to S.A.
Do you know how many sailed?
I have no idea how many men were in the Household Cavalry.
Thanks again for your replies.
Terry Park

The Signalling Staff were merely that, their rank and file were signal specialists who were members of Signal Sections, posted at various Signal Stations and skilled in military signalling with the heliograph and flag, Daw was a member of such, as very clearly noted in WO100/112, "Still (on) Signalling Staff"
The Household Cavalry, from the second half of the nineteenth century, until late 1914 only fought on campaign as a composite regiment, squadrons from all three regiments, so really few and far between when compared to the Cavalry in the British Army, however, as you will doubtless be aware, they had their other duties to perform at home, a brief look at WO100/112 gives their strength, as you know Daw served twice in South Africa, initially with the Composite Regiment and subsequently after the Composite Regiment had returned, the Kings South Africa medal is very rare indeed to any member of the regiment, again, his service with the Signalling Staff comes to the fore.