TOPIC:

Hello, I am new to this site. I am from Nanaimo, BC Canada. I am looking to research information about my Great Grandfather Henry Albert Townsend. I have determined that he served in the Railway Pioneer Regiment 3rd Battalion. His number was 3242. I am curious to learn more on his time in South Africa and the Boer War. Shortly after his time in South Africa, he ended up in Canada and served in WW1. He was originally from Reading England.

I am really looking forward to searching this site for information and learning more about my Great Grandfather. Any help or information would be greatly appreciated!

Melissa Townsend

Hello Mellisa……

He served in the Royal Canadian Regiment as 478617 Private H. Townsend, enlisted Oct. 1915 and discharged during training as Medically Unfit for Service in May 1916....

Mike

Melissa
The Railway Pioneer Regiment was a large unit and played a vital role in support of the field operations. The four battalions of the RPR were involved in repairing and protecting the railways, culverts and bridges and assisted the Corps of Royal Engineers in that task. Stirling's "Our Regiments in South Africa" contains a brief digest of the services of the RPR as a whole.
"3242 Pte. H.Townsend" of 3 RPR was awarded the Queen's South Africa medal with clasps "South Africa 1901" and "South Africa 1902". His entry is on page 291 of the 3 RPR roll. According to the roll, he served in no other unit in South Africa. According to the medal roll, there were a large number of men of 3RPR who qualified only for the date clasps or clasp;
meaning they did not serve in the defined areas of Cape Colony, Orange Free State or Transvaal. Your GGF's 3 RPR service was probably for the duration of three months and on a line in perhaps Natal.
None of which means your GGF did not earn his medal and clasps. It would have been hard work - albeit with all found and reasonable rate-of-pay.
Regards
IL.

Welcome Melissa,

There is some information on the RPR here.

If you scroll down this page, you can see his signed attestation paper for the RPR: www.angloboerwar.com/unit-information/so...r-regiment-surname-t

Kind regards
David

Hi Mike, Yes from Appendicitis apparently. Thanks for the info. Cheers Melissa

This is great, thank you so much!