TOPIC:

I'm a new member and I have attached a photograph from my family archive of what I was told is my great grandfather serving during the 2nd Boer War. I can't confirm that the photograph was taken in South Africa but the uniform and collar badge appear to be that of the Somerset Light Infantry. However not all the men are wearing insignia and its an odd collection of NCOs and a couple of Privates. I understand that the Somerset Light Infantry had Volunteer Battalions and my great grandfather was a reservist having previously enlisted in 13th Foot (Somerset 1st) in 1878. He re-enlisted in 1900 in the Royal Reserve at the age of 40. Presumably he joined the Southern Royal Reserve, but on his daughter's baptism record in May 1900 he records his rank as Private Somerset Light Infantry. So what's the explanation ?

Your Photo

From FMP.......

Could this be him???????

First name(s) Henry
Last name Townsend
Service number 27353
Rank Private
Regiment 48 (North Somerset) Company 7 Battalion Imperial Yeomanry
Year 1899-1902
Biography -
Country Great Britain
Notes
Medically unfit, 21/10/01 QSA Clasps: CC,OFS,T,SA01
Record set Anglo-Boer War Records 1899-1902
Category Military Service & Conflict
Subcategory Boer Wars
Collections from Great Britain, UK None

Thanks Mike, but I'm certain he re-enlisted in the Royal Reserve in March 1900, Service number 1783. Regiment TB.R.S.R.R, I assume that stands for Third Battalion Royal Southern Reserve Regiment but not certain. I don't know how the Reserve Regiments worked but he must have been posted to his former regiment, 1st Somerset, as there is no other explanation for the photograph. His first enlistment in 1878 at age 18 was with 13th Foot (1st Somerset) Service number 1487. Both have him correctly identified as Henry Townsend born Radstock, Somerset 1860. I do believe the photograph was taken in England despite the men wearing the Boer War slouch hat. The 2nd Battalion was posted to South Africa in 1899, so maybe Somerset men from the Royal Reserve were sent to Taunton to cover Home duties whilst the regiment was short handed. Just a theory ! Jeff Osment

Jeff

I cannot find him in FMP using his name or either number...... Maybe someone with Ancestry can look him up...... There is a possibility that the "TB" is Training Battalion??????

This is the only thing I can find......

Townsend, H. 36/1487, Private, Frontier Wars. SAGS (0)

Mike

Jeff.......

Found him.......


First name(s) Henry
Last name Townsend
Birth year 1860
Birth parish Radstock
Birth town Bath
Birth county Somerset
Birth country England
Service number 1783
Regiment -
Year 1900
Attestation date 17 Mar 1900
Attestation age years 40
Attestation age months 3
Attestation service number 1783
Attestation corps 2nd R S R R
Document type Attestation
Archive reference WO 97
Series Wo 97 - Chelsea Pensioners British Army Service Records 1760-1913
Box 6097
Box record number 115
Archive
The National Archives
Country England
Record set British Army Service Records
Category Military Service & Conflict
Subcategory Regimental & Service Records
Collections from Great Britain, England

He only served for one year and did not go to the Boer War only served in in South Africa 1877-8......

Mike