TOPIC:

I am trying to research the history of my grandfather. Thomas Lawson Carruthers.
I know he was enrolled in the 2nd Brabants Horse from 01/05/00 - 24/12/00 - can someone confirm that he would have been recruited locally, was he already in South Africa ?
He then went on to serve in the Cape Colony Cyclists Corps from the 04/01/01 - 28/01/01 when it says he was no longer required.
How can I find out where he went from there?
Any hints/help would be much appreciated

Hello Selina
Welcome to the forum.
Is it possible that your G Grandfather was a Geordie? & possibly a carpenter by trade?
If you could share any additional details on Thomas, it may help in the research.
If you have Ancestry or FMP there are details on passengers who left for South Africa.
It is feasible he was working in S A and joined a regiment. His medal rolls and regimental numbers are available pertaining to Brabants and the CCCC.

Regards

Dave.......

He is listed in Find My Past......

First name(s) Thomas Lawson
Biography -
Last name Carruthers
Country Great Britain
Service number 23760
Literary references The National Archives WO127. Nominal rolls colonial units.
Rank Private
Record set Anglo-Boer War Records 1899-1902
Regiment Cape Colony Cyclist Corps
Category Military, armed forces & conflict
Rolls WO100/239
Subcategory Boer Wars
Year 1899-1902
Collections from Great Britain, UK None

Selina

Following on from Mike's post ref Cape Colony Cyclist Corps.

Trooper T L Carruthers 7046 2nd Brabants Horse.

QSA medal entitlement, Belfast, Orange Free State and Cape Colony clasp.

I did find some shipping details pertaining to a Mrs M L Carruthers aged 28 a housewife returning from Natal with her daughter Iris aged 1 yr . They arrived back in Southampton in Oct 1907.
There was also a Thomas Carruthers who also sailed back from Natal in 1920 he was aged 42.
As I previously mentioned if it is possible to share any additional data with the forum, we may be able to help you in your research of your G Grandfather.

Regards


Dave.........

Thank you all for your help
My grandfather was indeed a Geordie Carpenter
He was born in Gateshead in 1877 and joined the carpenters union in 1898, so he must have been in UK then.
I then lose track of him until he joins the 2nd Brabants in May 1900 - I don't why or how he came to be in South Africa.
After the Cape Colony Cyclists Corp I lose track of him again until he appears in Auckland New Zealand marrying Sarah Maria Cotterill in 1805
In 1911 he is back in the UK living with his mother, but his 2.1/2 month old illegitimate son (my uncle) is living with his mother a couple of streets away.
All his children were born illegitimately , including my mother. I suspect this is why his history wasn't spoken about much, although my older siblings remember him talking about his horse, and my cousin has a bullet which purports to be the one that shot his horse.
I think he must have been a fascinating man but I was only 3 when he died and have just vague memories of him.

A fascinating man indeed. I couldn't find a link reference his travel to South Africa. I wondered if he may have worked his passage by working on a ship? I do understand how frustrating it can be when there are gaps in the story. You mentioned his travel to New Zealand and marriage in 1905. There are documents which have your Grandfather working as a joiner in 1902 & 1903 at Wakatane in the region of Bay of Plenty. So, after his time in South Africa he may have just decided to ship out to New Zealand.