TOPIC:

It is getting close to my trip to South Africa. Can anyone give me any information on this soldier as to where he may have seen action, etc.


Ron Wainwright ( Grandson living in New Zealand

ELLYDOG wrote: It is getting close to my trip to South Africa. Can anyone give me any information on this soldier as to where he may have seen action, etc.


Ron Wainwright ( Grandson living in New Zealand

Ron
Welcome to the Forum. Your GF obviously had a long and hopefully fruitful life and it is commendable that you remember him all these years later.
My CD roll of the Imperial Yeomanry has your GF as "36363 Private Sydney Golding" of the 94th Coy; a component to the 24th Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry. The 24th Bn. I. Y. was made up of four squadrons each titled "Metropolitan Mounted Rifles". One source indicated they were mostly recruited from the Volunteer Force and came from London.
The Medal roll for the 24th Coy., I.Y. shows your GF as being entitled to clasps "Cape Colony", "Orange Free State", "Transvaal" and "South Africa 1901"on his QSA medal. His roll entry margin says he was apparently discharged as his own request on 11/12/1901.
It is difficult to say exactly which actions your GF took part in. The 94th Coy appears in the Casualty lists from 5/01 until the conclusion of the campaign. As your GF took discharge before 4/02, that does at least limit things a bit. Generally, the IY had an arduous and generally thankless task of counter-guerrilla work, convoy escort and the like. There is no doubt that he earned his medal.
Are you aware if he saw further service?
Regards
IL.

Sincere thanks for your prompt reply Linneyl. Sadly Sydney was injured in a fall down a ships hold prior to WW1. This factor left him with a long term leg ailment and rendered him unfit for active service. he however lived to the age of 101 years. not a bad innings!!!! I have attached a further press article on them occasion of his 100th birthday. Are there any specific war memorials/monuments that I could visit while in South Africa in July?

Kind regards Ron W