TOPIC:

Hello,

This is my first tussle with the Boer War - and I'm floundering!

Although I've researched family history for years, my current research project - to find out more about all those who fought during WW1 from our village - is the most challenging yet. Among the characters that we've lost sight of is Captain Alexander Cecil GRAHAM latterly of the RND Hood Bn and 1st Bn Grenadier Guards who died on the Somme in September 1916, but seems to have played his part in the Boer War as well.

His biography, contained in a list of old Harrovians and on a website about former students of Christ's College Oxford, states that he went to South Africa as a war correspondant for Central News Agency and joined General French's scouts. Allegedly, he was injured and taken prisoner at Lindley. However, the list of French's Scouts on this website does not contain his name which makes me suspicious - although I have no reason to doubt the truth of the tale. His surviving WW1 records make no mention of his experiences during the Boer War.

I am wondering if anyone can steer me towards places that I could research (a) his time as a war correspondant (b) whether he actually joined French's Scouts and (c) how he was captured/escaped/freed. Any suggestions or hints would be greatly appreciated.

Regards
Annie

Hello Annie,

I have a small bit of info for you. It would seem that Graham did serve in SA during the Boer War as a journalist.

According to the medal roll for the award of the Queen's South Africa medal without clasp, Ref WO100/371 (War Correspondents)Page 18, there is a chap A.Graham who worked for the Central News and was awarded the medal for his services in SA on the 10/06/1903.

There are no further remarks on the page mentioning service with French's Scouts.

If you would like a copy of this page please reply with an email address.

Regards

Adrian

Adrian,

That is absolutely amazing news! Better than I could have ever hoped for ... this chap is a bit illusive. Thank you so much for looking out the information for me, it was most kind.

Yes, I'd love a copy and will try to message you privately with my email address.

Many, many thanks - and kind regards,
Annie

Annie,

I have checked the Medal roll and the Supplementary Medal roll for French's Scouts. Your man is not listed on either. I have also looked at the casualty rolls for French's Scouts and he is not listed there.
I would then say that he did not serve with French's Scouts at all!!!!

Regards

Adrian

Adrian,

Well, well, well ... clearly he was a journalist with ideas above his station! Although surely to get a medal, he must have been involved in military activitives - it's bizarre.

Kind regards ... and thanks again,
Annie

Annie,

The Journalists were obviously officially sanctioned and therefore would have qualified without doubt for the medal.Many civilians were awarded the medal for example men that served with the ASC, the Cape Government Railways and the Natal Government Railways to name but a few.

However, I would not be able to comment on whether your chap was in the "Front Lines" so to speak or wrote articles for the news papers based on what he was told by the men involved?

Regards

Adrian

P/S email sent with roll page attached