TOPIC:

Despite what it says on the Smethwick service memorial, two of those listed served in the Imperial Yeomanry - namely Ernest Hobson & William Cartwright. I have managed to download their service records from FindMyPast. They do not show which company they served in but William Cartwright, although he lived in the Ladywood area of Birmingham, attested in Worcester. Ernest Hobson who lived in Smethwick attested in Handsworth but has a service number of 37797 very close to William's which is 37790.

Smethwick wrote: Despite what it says on the Smethwick service memorial, two of those listed served in the Imperial Yeomanry - namely Ernest Hobson & William Cartwright. I have managed to download their service records from FindMyPast. They do not show which company they served in but William Cartwright, although he lived in the Ladywood area of Birmingham, attested in Worcester. Ernest Hobson who lived in Smethwick attested in Handsworth but has a service number of 37797 very close to William's which is 37790.

Hi David
Both men, served in the 27th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry. Which I think was the Devonshire 123rd Company.
Regards
Dave
PS. A warm welcome to the forum.

Thanks for the info

Were Company & Battalion at the time of the Boer War the same as at the time of WW1 (i.e. 4 or 5 companies of 200-250 men with a Captain in charge make up Battalion with a Lieutenant-Colonel in charge) or were things less standardised.

Regards, David.

Had a quick look at the QSA medal rolls for the 27th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry.
1 Major, 3 Captains, approximately 14 Lieutenants overseen by a Lieutenant Colonel.
22 rolls 400 men give or take.

Hello David
This may or may not be relevant. I purchased this cabinet card in a Smethwick junkshop around 1980. That and the Smethwick address on the back leads me to believe these may be Smethwick men. Do you have a Chapman on your list?
Regards
Paul

Paul - I do not have a Chapman in my Smethwickian Database but perhaps I should.

Looking at the 1901 Census there was a Thomas Chapman (age 81) & Mary Chapman (75) living in Great Arthur Street, Smethwick but both born in neighbouring West Bromwich. A decade before this they lived round the corner in Brasshouse Lane when the occupation of Thomas given as "General Labourer".

I am intrigued by the word "STRETCHER" printed on the back and it seems to be repeated in the red crayon writing but cannot decide what is written above and below it.

Attached is a photo of Great Arthur Street in 1959. Great Arthur St stills exists but those houses don't - demolished in 1971 and replaced by modern housing.