TOPIC:

My grandad was never given money from British government i have his letters written on his behalf by his officers he didn't get Boer war medals 2 of them we wrote but told were too late its sad because he is buried in a paupers grave at home such sadness for a brave man.
He and family lived in poverty . Dorothy

Dorothy,
It is saddening to hear of your grandfather's family suffering hardships after his service in the military.
I will take a look at the medal rolls for DLI.
Perhaps you could please let us know a little more about the circumstances and date of his death in case there is more information available out there.
Steve

Hi Steve joseph crawford died 1940 in Dundee , his number was 6671 pte Crawford , I think he was in 2 regiments in Africa as one ended and he stayed their to join another regiment. The old letters written on hi s behalf are hard to read but I'm just able to read them . It reads .
This man at that time this man has no evidence of his former service. I'm not good at writing on the forum as I'm an old lady now of 84 years so would like it solved before I'm gone .
Thanks

Hello Dorothy

The last time you raised the matter of your late relative was more than a year ago - on that occasion an Alexander Ireland was writing on your behalf. Is he or she in someway related to you? Apropos the matter of a pension for Boer War service. The way I see it, if J Crawford was a volunteer, as opposed to a Regular Army enlisted man, then there would be a 5 pound war gratuity paid to him and that would be the end of it.

I don't know why there would be an expectation of more money. Was he wounded in the war? I see he died in 1940 - the military authorities can hardly be held accountable for the circumstances of his death and the manner in which he was buried, some 38 years after the war. Did he serve in WWI? That might place things into a different perspective.

Regards

Rory

Hello Dorothy,
I have checked the medal rolls for the Durban Light Infantry and found your grandfather's entitlement as follows:
890 Private J. Crawford. Queens South Africa medal with clasps; NATAL/CAPE COLONY/ORANGE FREE STATE
There is nothing to suggest that he was not awarded this medal, so maybe it is still out there somewhere. A pity that it has left the family.
Also, there is no record of Joseph being a casualty.

I have yet to find evidence of any involvement in the First World War which may affect any gratuity owed, so I agree with Rory that it is unlikely to be the case.

I hope that you find this information helpful.
Steve

Dorothy,

It is always very saddening when stories like this appear on the forum. We know that many ex-servicemen returned from the Boer War and other conflicts to difficult lives in challenging circumstances. The authorities appear to have discharged their responsibilities in the majority of cases but we do read letters and petitions asking for greater pensions or restitution of one kind or another.

A small proportion of the medal issued for the Boer War that we see today bear the marks of pawnbrokers which remind us of the histories of the men and women who earned them and the lives they lived after the war.

Your grievance sounds to be long standing and hard felt but of the evidence we can see today does not, I am sorry to say, appear to be a strong case for any restitution.

Best wishes
David