TOPIC:

Yockley007!
The Imperial Yeomanry enlisted for twelve months and service before discharge could be terminated by death, wounds or sickness. The casualty rolls have no entry for either of the Stokes brothers. The endorsement on the 44th Coy's medal roll (p295) clearly states that Frank Stokes served 193 days (about six and a half months) and Harry Stokes 186 days. The marginal note in both cases is "inefficient". At this remove, it is difficult to say just what caused that official remark to be put on the rolls. If you wish to pursue that thread, perhaps you might look on one of the commercial sites for any personal papers that may exist.
Regards
IL.

Thanks again, very useful and valued family information.
John

Sorry to keep bothering you but any idea where I could find out when and where they enlisted? I can’t seem to see any dates on the documents from the archives apart from where and when the forms were filled out.
Thanks in advance, John

They would have enlisted somewhere in Norwich in January 1900. If you can access any Norwich newspapers, or any that covered the whole county, for January 1900, you might find out more. Do you know which town or village the Stokes brothers lived in?

…. "Capt. Harvey, who is acting adjutant, issued an order at the direction of Lieut.-Col. Cruickshank that all members of the Duke of York's Own Loyal Suffolk Hussars who had volunteered for active service in South Africa, and all civilians who wished to enrol themselves in the regiment with a view of proceeding on active service, should attend at the Maid's Head Hotel, Norwich, on Tuesday [2.1.1900], for the purpose of being medically inspected and otherwise examined as to their general fitness. Mr. H. L. Clark, the proprietor of the hotel, kindly placed at the disposal of Col. Cruickshank and of the officers, free of charge, two rooms, which were used vas an orderly room and a medical inspection room, and from a very early hour the approaches of the hotel were crowded with troopers and with volunteers...……...Altogether the names of about 320 volunteers had been sent in, of whom 80 were members of the Loyal Suffolk Hussars, and the remainder civilians...………"

Ipswich Journal, Saturday 6th January 1900

…."The enrolment of the Suffolk Imperial Yeomanry has been actively proceeded with at Norwich this week. Up to Wednesday 159 civilians had been enrolled, and 153 members of the regiment. The men went through the usual routine of medical inspection, riding, and shooting tests, etc. They underwent their shooting tests at the ranges on the North Denes, Yarmouth, and instead of the inefficient and out-dated Martini-Enfields served out to the men at last week's tests, Lee Metford rifles were used, with the result that the shooting was of a far more satisfactory character."

Ipswich Journal, Saturday 13th January 1900

…."Orders have been given for the 44th Company Imperial Yeomanry (Loyal Suffolk Hussars), now at Norwich, to sail with the 1st or 43rd Company, also raised in Norwich, from Southampton on Wednesday next. The point of embarkation will be reached some time some time the following morning, and the men will leave England the same day in the Valencia. Since the orders were issued it has been rumoured that there has been a hitch in the transport arrangements, which will delay the departure of the troops until the 3rd of next month. The men have been supplied with khaki-coloured tunics and breeches, with puttees to match, and highlows. The hat is a New South Wales Lancer's hat, without the plume and buckle. There are no bright facings in the uniform."

Ipswich Journal, Saturday 27th January 1900

…."The 44th Company of Imperial Yeomanry will leave Norwich on Saturday morning for the Albert Docks, where they will embark for South Africa on the Cornwall."

Ipswich Journal, Saturday 3rd March 1900

…."The 44th Company of Imperial Yeomanry left Norwich for the front early on Saturday morning. Their "send-off," in enthusiasm more than equalled that which marked the farewells to their predecessors. After breakfast at the Maid's Head, a procession of torchlight bearers and flag-bearers formed, together with the band of the Norwich Artillery Volunteers, and large numbers of citizens joined in the march to the station. As the train moved out of Thorpe Station, hearty cheers were raised, which all but drowned the strains of "Auld Lang Syne," played by the band."

Ipswich Journal, Saturday 10th March 1900

….A couple of letters printed in a September issue of the Ipswich Journal described various incidents that the 44th was involved in, but no mention of either of the Stokes.

that is an amazing amount of information. Thank you.
They lived in Dunmow, Essex although looking into it Stokes was a common name in that village.
Best regards and thanks again,
John stokes

One other quick thing, if they left for SA in the early months of 1900 and I believe they only served for approximately 190 would they still be entitled to the 1901 medal and orange state clasp Although they weren’t there in 1901 or would they have got a later boat meaning they were actually there during 1901? Sorry if this is an obvious silly question. John