TOPIC:

Hello everyone,
Please excuse my direct message and reaching out.
Having now reviewed the information in the forum and enjoying the varied content I feel somewhat closer to achieving my goal of locating the Regiment in which my grandfather served in the South African war (Boer War) 1899 – 1902.
Sadly, I never met my grandfather who had died before i was born, however, I have always had a fascination in him and a desire to trace my Welsh roots.
My Wife and I have made several forays to Wales and the Brecon area for weekend research purposes with little or no success. Trying to trace a “Thomas” in Brecon was the original needle in the haystack and i can still picture the librarians face when i asked for access to the computer system to carry out the research!
My father (now sadly deceased) often spoke fondly about his dad and having read Sue Brooks book Ein Cynefin ii (where we belong ii) it struck a chord with his stories of hardship and growing up the son of a farm labourer (John Thomas).
I have very little to go on apart from a 1911 England Census showing him living in Eastleigh Hampshire with his wife and my uncle. My grandfather wrote his birthplace on the census as Boughrood Buit, Radnorshire. DOB 1871.01.26
My grandfather lived a colourful life and my father’s story goes that he ran away from home at sixteen to join the army although lied about his age as he was too young to sign up, so Army records could be skewed. I know he fought in the Boer war as i have the attached photo of him on Portsmouth Guildhall steps at a regimental reunion. Grandad is in the back row on the steps and second from the right with a gap either side.
I was wondering (and hoping!) that with your amazing network if any of you had any information on how i can trace my grandfather's service record from joining up to his demob. I have tried the national archives and various websites all to no avail!
Thanking you in anticipation of any help you may be able to provide and looking forward to actively participating in future forums.
Your sincerely and kindest regards,
Dave Thomas.

On Find My Past have found service records for a Private/Drummer 2536 James Thomas, south Wales Borderers. When he attested/enlisted in January 1889 he gave his parish of birth as Glasbury near Hay in the County of Brecon and said he had lived for 3 years in his father's house at Boughrood. He gave his age as 19 years 2 months. He names his mother, Mary as his next of kin and gave her address as New House, Boughrood.

He served in Aden and after 7 years active service was discharged to the Army Reserve but recalled to active service in December 1899 and served in the Boer War.

If you have membership of FMP select the military search option, enter his name and his service number and two sets of records should be selected - the first set appears incomplete but the second is complete consisting of four pages.

Alternatively if you think i have the right man happy to download and forward.

Dear Smethwick, Thank you so much! this is definitely my grandfather. I am not registered with FMP having settled on Ancestry and having put in the details you have given me they only come back with three sheets which are in my grandfathers handwriting. This has to be obtained from FOLD3 a subscription site! I would therefore be extremely grateful if you would download and email me the complete documents you discuss in your message. kindest regards, Tommo

Hello Tommo / Smethwick
Hope this helps?









Regards

Dave........

Enclosed, a copy of your Great Grandfathers medal roll.
2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers.
QSA with 2 clasps Cape Colony and Orange Free State.
Marginal note records your G Grandfather as being Invalided home.

Tommo - the email address you sent me did not work but as Dave has posted everything I have found it does not matter. I should have said he first served in the East Indies rather than Aden but the latter does get a mention on page 3 of his service record. David.