TOPIC:

Hi All,

This is my first post in the forum and am new to the Anglo-Boer War.

Have just discovered 2 relatives, brothers, served in the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment.

Abner Foss 3593 and his brother John William Foss 3614.

Am looking forward to researching their lives and learning as much as possible about their time in service.

Have already found their service records and medal rolls and if anyone has any tips on reading researching the regiment at this time or in the West Indies before I would be grateful.

I have researched many relatives from WW1, the Crimea and Indian Mutiny, this period is new to me so grateful for any pointers.

Many thanks

James

Hello James
Welcome to the Forum
Your relatives were in action at the battle of Talana

Foss A 3593 Private QSA (4)
Source: List of QSAs with the clasp Talana from the Talana book

Foss A 1st Battalion, Volunteer Service Company
Source: QSA and KSA medal rolls

Foss J W 3164 Private 1st Btn.
Missing - released at Dundee. 26 Oct 1899.
Source: Natal Field Force Casualty Roll, page 71 line 8

There is information on this site regarding the Leicesters .
Also www.royalleicestershireregiment.org.uk is a good site if you need to research Tigers in your family. If you have specific questions regarding the Anglo Boer War and the Leicesters, you are in the right place. There is a wealth of knowledge from members on this site. Good luck in your research.

Just a quick question, If John Foss 3164 was 'missing - released at Dundee 26th October', was he captured ?
In my (limited) reading so far I understand the Leicesters were posted to guard the camp.

JRD73 wrote: Just a quick question, If John Foss 3164 was 'missing - released at Dundee 26th October', was he captured ?
In my (limited) reading so far I understand the Leicesters were posted to guard the camp.

It is possible he was captured although the Leicester's were not in the thick of the attack on the hill. I think the 1st battalion were on the left flank of the main attack, between Glencoe and Dundee. (British Camp Dundee not the main town).However, missing could relate to a number of scenarios. The Boers occupied Dundee from 23rd of October 1899 until May 6th 1900. So if he did find himself in trouble and wandered off and was captured, he could have been released by the Boers on the 26th of October. Hopefully someone on the forum may be able to add to the story. He may have been wounded, captured or just went missing.
Are there any details on his service papers pertaining to the missing incident? And is there any mention he may have been with mounted infantry?

Thank you for the reply.
I did wonder about the mounted infantry, I know the 1st Leicesters had some. I also read that some mounted infantry were in action with the 18th Hussars which may have resulted in them being captured but having read some accounts from the Hussars they only mention the 1st Dublin and 1st KRRK Mounted no mention of any Leicesters.

Sadly nothing to indicate mounted on his record. it just notes 'missing after battle of Dundee period 20th to 26th October 1899'

I did find a newspaper cutting with his name mentioning him and 8 other 1st Leicesters missing. ill see if I can find anything relating to those guys that might give a clue.

Once again many thanks - learning lots quickly

Hi James
The 1901 census has John W Foss
At Headquarters 17th Regiment District
Glen Parva Barracks
Near Leicester.
Ancestry. Page 7 Number12 ....John W Foss - Single, aged 27 - St Margaret's Leicester.
Private Leicesters.
Regards
Dave