TOPIC:

Hi, I am new to this site and am researching my family tree. Before my mother passed away a few years ago she told me that my grandfather had fought in the Boer War and I was hoping that I could find out a bit more about him. His name was John William Percy Everett, and my genealogy research with the British National Archive tells me he was a trooper in the Imperial Light Horse - I believe there were 2 battalions but I'm not sure which one he was in. (I have contradictory information about his military number, in one record it appears to be 1921, and in another 2276). My mother told me he had received a medal although I can't find information to corroborate that, although I understand that everyone who served in the war received a QSA, but I can't find any record of him having received that either.

I am interested to know when he came to SA, when he joined the ILH, was he involved in any notable battles, was he injured, when he went back to the UK, etc.

Hope someone can help?

Many thanks

Hi Paul

1st Imperial Light Horse

Everett John 2276 & 34115 Tpr. 1st

Everett John W.P. 1921 & 1849 Tpr. 1st

So 2276 is not likely the same man. Looks like 1921 & 1849 is correct ?

Also look up Everett in NAME search on this site. Shows JWP Everett in Cape Forces too.

I will look further in Rolls.

Regards
Adrian

Hi Adrian

Many thanks. Can you tell me why there are 2 numbers for him - 1921 and 1849?

Rgds, Paul

Surviving rank and file ILH papers are in WO126/55-65 at Kew and the first thing to do, is to take a very careful look through them to see if his have survived, his service with the 1st ILH is clearly shown in WO100/250 along with his entitlement to his medal and clasps for that particular service.

PaulMcK wrote: Hi, I am new to this site and am researching my family tree. Before my mother passed away a few years ago she told me that my grandfather had fought in the Boer War and I was hoping that I could find out a bit more about him. His name was John William Percy Everett, and my genealogy research with the British National Archive tells me he was a trooper in the Imperial Light Horse - I believe there were 2 battalions but I'm not sure which one he was in. (I have contradictory information about his military number, in one record it appears to be 1921, and in another 2276). My mother told me he had received a medal although I can't find information to corroborate that, although I understand that everyone who served in the war received a QSA, but I can't find any record of him having received that either.

I am interested to know when he came to SA, when he joined the ILH, was he involved in any notable battles, was he injured, when he went back to the UK, etc.

Hope someone can help?

Many thanks

Paul
Others have contributed most generously re your query. As the ILH is one of my favourite Regiments, I could not resist digging out the rolls - hope I am not stepping on anyone else's toes here Anyway, Tpr J.W.P Everett earned the clasps "Transvaal" and "South Africa 1901" on his QSA with the 1st ILH and the roll was endorsed "Discharged 5/8/01". The roll indicates he also served with the Cape Infantry. You would have to check the roll for that unit to see if he qualified for another date clasp. There is no indication on the QSA roll as to where the medal was forwarded; however the SA1901 roll page says it was sent to Inverness Rd., Hounslow. I have frequently seen ILH QSA medals bearing only the clasp "Transvaal" and checking the roll shows at least one date clasp was also awarded for that particular medal. Often, the qualifying medal and clasps were sent separately.
Frank's suggestion regarding your GF's papers could well indicate to you the actual period the man served with 1st ILH. Looking between those dates with reference to Stirling's "The Colonials in South Africa" will give you an idea of what the unit did and how hard they worked. To conclude, the notation of two numbers on the roll (1594 and 1921) is a bit strange. There would be no point putting a man's number for another unit on the 1st ILH roll. His papers might show that he enlisted twice in ILH; with a gap between enlistments.
Good luck in your quest.
IL.

Paul,

The Colonials book that IL mentions appears throughout the site. Here is the link to the ILH page: angloboerwar.com/unit-information/south-...imperial-light-horse