TOPIC:

Hi

I am researching my Grandfather, Herbert Graham, who was at school in South Africa in 1899. His step father, Henry Stewart, was serving with the 5th Lncers at Maritzburg. I have a school report for Herbert dated 24 August 1899 from the Inspector of Army Schools, Cavelry Barracks. Would any of the school records for his brothers have survived, do you think and would they have been educated in the Barracks itself or attended a local school.

Any information would be really helpful

Thank you

Hi Diane,

Can you post a copy of the school report? I'd understood that the 5th Lancers went from India to South Africa in 1898 without their families, but I may be wrong.

Best wishes,

Justin

Hi Justin

Struggling to get attachment to you. It seems to be in the wrong format. I will try again tomorrow

Diane

Hi Jusin

This is the school report Of my grandfather Herbert Graham. Can you tell me how he ended up at a school in South Africa. His father had died in 1893 in India and his mother had married again within a year of his death. Her new husband was transferred out of India to South Africa but as you observed he did not take his family with him. He actually died in South Africa in 1900. My grandfather was 13 years old when this school report was written.

Both men were in 5th Lancers.

Any ideas ?


Diane

Hi Diane,

It's definitely Maritzburg, Natal where the 5th Lancers were based before the outbreak of the Boer War. The officer who signed the report, R. G. Hooper, was a Second Lieutenant in the 5th Lancers.

I've checked the regimental history. The 5th Lancers made a permanent move from India to South Africa in 1898, so it is possible that families accompanied them, in which case it is normal that the children would have been educated at the Army School at the barracks. Unfortunately, I do not know of any records for these schools surviving. Did Herbert Graham subsequently join the 5th Lancers?

Best wishes,

Justin

Diane wrote: Hi Jusin

This is the school report Of my grandfather Herbert Graham. Can you tell me how he ended up at a school in South Africa. His father had died in 1893 in India and his mother had married again within a year of his death. Her new husband was transferred out of India to South Africa but as you observed he did not take his family with him. He actually died in South Africa in 1900. My grandfather was 13 years old when this school report was written.

Both men were in 5th Lancers.

Any ideas ?


Diane

No, he want on to join the Middlesex Regiment 4th Battalion. He was killed aged 26 in Mons in August 1914. He left a wife and 5 children and my Mum was one of those children. I have got some of the postcards he sent to his wife whilst serving in the First World War in fact one card was written a couple of days before he was killed and he tells his wife on that one 'kiss the kiddies for me'. So poignant .

I only have the school report because it was kept in the family and passed down, which was very lucky

Thanks for the information.

Diane