TOPIC:

I am tracing the veracity of a story that the postmaster at the siege of Mafikeng, a Mr Quinlan, fought 'on both sides'; that he was a spy for the Boers, found out, and executed during the siege. I read this long ago in a short article (an SAA magazine if i recollect correctly). I would be grateful for direction to the relevant records to check this story.

A second interest is to see if there is any record of an ancestor, Charles? Barrington, reputedly, in family history, a 'black sheep, who ended up in Natal during 1830-40s -perhaps later, got into a militia force, and was involved in frontier wars of the time. I checked at Natal museum some years ago and could find no record of the name. I would appreciate any information on the names of the various militia/irregular regiments or companies that were formed and operating in Natal during that time
Tim Quinlan

Tim
Welcome to the Forum.
The "Mafeking Siege Register" by Colin Walker has one James Quinlan, Station Master, who was rumoured, along with another person, of being a Fenian and plotting to blow up part of the town. Was arrested on High Treason and was remanded. Colin Walker comments that one source has it that he was to be sent home after the Siege - but he (Walker) had been unable to find out what happened to Quinlan.
You did not give a fore name to your Quinlan; however there is no other Quinlan in Colin's Register.
Regards
IL.

The story about Quinlan was raised in the House of Commons on 1st February 1900. "It has appeared in all the Cape papers."

newspapers.library.wales/view/3467411/3467415/61/

Apologies fro delayed reply. Thank you very much. Bernice's reply suggests that James Quinlan may have been executed. Are there records of formal executions?

Bernice, Thank you for that record and the lead to the Cape papers.