TOPIC:

Edward W. Molyneaux was born in 1877 in York, England.
In 1891 at the age of 14, he was living at North View, Holgate, York, East Riding of Yorkshire with his father William, a 39 year old Locomotive Engine Driver (York was a hub of locomotive activity in Victorian times), mother Mary A (also 39), and sisters; Lizzie E (16), Evelyn (12), Ethel M (10), Edith E (3) and brothers Joseph R (5) and Cecil S (1).

At some point Edward found himself in South Africa, I have tried to identify service with any imperial units to check if he transferred out while in country. The only man I could find was a 4521 E W Molyneaux of the 9th Lancers, but there is no entry in the Remarks column to suggest this, so inconclusive!

Edward served as a 3rd Class Trooper with 'E' Division of the South African Constabulary with the service number 1012.
It was on 16th July 1901, that he was killed in action at Kalklaagte at the age of 24.
His death was reported in the UK press by a Cardiff newspaper as follows:

From the "EVENING EXPRESS," dated 24th July 1901; page 3:
"S. A. Police Ambushed"
"TWENTY BRITISH CASUALTIES"
"The casualty lists published by the War Office on Saturday evening go to indicate that a party of the 'E' Division of the SAC were ambushed at Kalklaagte, near Petrusberg, west of Bloemfontein, on Tuesday last. The return states that Corporal Colin Campbell and Constable Molyneaux were killed. Constable Laing dangerously wounded, and 17 others missing, believed to be prisoners."


Queen's South Africa medal awarded posthumously to Trooper Molyneaux with clasps; Cape Colony, Orange Free State and South Africa 1901.


Clasps confirmed on Medal Roll WO100/273.



Watt (2000) informs us that Edward's remains were interred at Paardeberg, Gruisbank and is commemorated on Monument 120.

Edward is further remembered on the York Boer War Memorial located near York Minster, Duncombe Place, York.
He is honoured on the gravestone of his father William with the following inscription:

"ALSO EDWARD SON OF ABOVE KILLED AT KALKLAAGTE S.A. JULY 16 1901 AGED 24 YEARS."

I do have a question to put before the learned forum please. Could anyone please tell me if the attestation papers still exist for the SAC? I may be able to glean a little more background on Edward if these documents remain extant.
Cheers Steve

Hello Steve,

I have access to A, B and C, Divisions and HQ etc BUT as your man was in "E" Division his papers will be in Bloemfontein. A local researcher will be able to get you a copy.

Try Dewald on [email protected]

Regards

Many thanks, I will follow your lead.
Cheers Steve

Hello Steve

Paardeberg, Gruisbank Cemetery

He can be found on Find A Grave. Placed there by somebody called "PeterH" who has made many entries regarding Boer War casulaties.

This is his write-up:

"1012 Trooper Edward William Molyneaux, 8 Troop, E Division, South African Constabulary. Son of Mrs W G Molyneaux of 10 Poppleton Road, York. Volunteered for service in South Africa during the Second Anglo Boer War. An engineer before enlistment. He was killed in action along with Trooper Campbell at Kalklaagte, a hill south of De Werf and Paardeberg (Perdeberg), west of Petrusburg, Orange River Colony aged 24 years (on grave marker) and 25 years (on Death Notice)."

Also attached:

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