TOPIC:

Hi,
On both sides of my family, great grandfather's and Uncles served in the Boer War. I am researching the following people and welcome any references or suggestions. I need most help with regard to the Natal Government Railways as I can find little about their work.

About Me: I grew up in Durban from a South African family but emigrated to the US after marrying a man from Seattle, USA. We now live abroad with our family but visit Durban and CT regularly where many family members remain.

My Boer War Interest:

Arthur Spence Adams (1899-1900 (or later). Natal Naval Volunteers. Manned a 4.7 Gun. Was with Buller's Relief Column. I have his complete 180 page diary of the war written in tiny longhand on carbon paper. It mentions various men in the NNV in Lt Andertons 'group'. I would love to pass on a few anecdotes to the families of a Bill Antony and a Burford in the NNV.

Charlie Adams - Natal Mounted Rifles? (My great-grandfather's cousin's)
Besieged at Ladysmith. Met up with AS ADams during the relief carrying "looted butter and honey". Ate a great meal at the N.C.O Mess on the 5th March, 1900.

Leo Adams - NMR with Charlie? Besieged at Ladysmith with NMR. Sergeant?

Leonard Brereton - Great Grandfather on my mother's side. Was with the Natal Govt Railways. I have NO information on his involvement other than my mother was told he was besieged at Ladysmith after working in the war as an engineer. From a search of this site I found this information: Brereton L Source: WO100/279 Natal Government Railways

What does the source WO100/279 mean and where can I find any further information?

Thanks for any and all help. I am new at the military history game and my first goal is to finish the work of transcribing the diary.

Regards and best wishes to all in their quests.

Shannon

Dear Shannon

Welcome from a fellow ex Durbanite!

WO 100 refers to the medal rolls in the NA at Kew in the UK.

The one to the NGR wherein Brereton appears has him as a Maintenance Engineer during the Boer War with the comment "At Intombi Camp dring the Siege" - this was the base camp for the British soldiers at Ladysmith and also the place where the sick and wounded were treated.

Regards

Rory

Hi Shannon, welcome aboard. WO 100/279 is a reference to the Queen's South Africa Medal (QSA) roll. 279 being Natal Government Railways in Colonial Officials. Maintenance Engineer L Brereton is listed in WO 100/279 on page 208 as entitled to the QSA. The page is dated 24 June 1904 in Durban. The official that signed it appears to be a Da? Hunter. And under remarks for Brereton is noted "At Intombi Camp during siege." If you need a copy of the page send me a PM with your e-mail address and I'll send it to you.

WO 100/261 pg 213 lists 137 Seaman Arthur Spence, Adams Natal Naval Volunteers as QSA with Tugela Heights and Relief of Ladysmith clasps.

There are LC Adams and CS Adams listed on the rolls for the Natal Mounted Rifles. Both are listed as entitled to the QSA on WO 100/260 pg 13. CS Adams is listed as a Lieut and it is noted he served as a Capt in the Volunteer Composite Regiment. The page is badly damaged so clasps are difficult to see clearly but it appears he got Laing's Nek, Defence of Ladysmith, Elandslaagte, OFS and Transvaal clasps. LC Adams is listed as a Lieut and it is noted he also served as a Capt in the VCR. His QSA clasp entitlements seem to be Laing's Nek, Defence of Ladysmith and Elandslaagte. Both men are listed on WO 100/363 pg 183 as being entitled to the King's South Africa Medal (KSA) with South Africa 1901 and 1902 clasps.

Cheers,

Mark