TOPIC:

Charles Berry initially became involved with the imperial military forces during the conflict as a Civilian Conductor with Army Service Corps.
Perhaps he felt like he wanted to see more action with a fighting unit, or maybe preferred a more lucrative offer from one of the many newly formed mounted regiments. It could have been a bit of both which compelled him to attest to the Bethune's Mounted Infantry on 29th June 1901, remaining with the unit until 11th February 1902 when he parted company with the BMI as 'time expired".
His address on discharge was to his home address shared with his wife Mrs. S. Berry at Upper Cowson Street, North End, Port Elizabeth.

Now available to enlist with another outfit after a break of 21 days, he attested to the Canadian Scouts at Durban on 4th March 1902. Previous experience with Bethune's and good knowledge of the country would have made him a great asset to the Scouts.interstingly, he does not have a regimental number with CS.Findmypast says his attestation document reveals that Charles was born in 1863, was aged 39, British and an electrician by profession.
He was 5'9" in height, had a dark complexion, grey eyes and grey hair.
At this late stage in the war, the Canadian Scouts were heavily involved with the final drives to clear up the remaining bitterenders, having numerous small skirmishes and taking a few casualties.
At the end of hostilities the Canadian Scouts were quickly disbanded. Charles Berry was discharged from service on 30th June 1902.
Jim Wallace in his "Knowing No Fear" does not tell us much more about Charles, other than he was entitled to the Queen's South Africa medal with clasps Cape Colony/Orange Free State/Transvaal/South Africa 1901/South Africa 1902.

Queen's South Africa medal awarded to Charles Berry. Medal Roll for Bethune's MI (WO100/236) confirms clasps Cape Colony and Orange Free State.

1396 Lance Corporal C. Berry.

Unit naming to Bethune's MI.

Medal Roll WO100/287 for the Canadian Scouts confirms entitlement to SA1901/SA1902 and notes service with ASC and BMI. Again no regimental number.
I assume that Transvaal is confirmed on the ASC roll, which I have failed to locate thus far.

Perhaps the above information is useful to QSA MIKE for his database of men who served with the Canadian Scouts?

Steve

I found another roll, reference the Canadian Scouts for your man Chas Berry.
Dated February 1903 Cape Town . WO 100 / 287



Dave.

Thanks for that Dave. Ties up his clasp entitlement nicely. Pity Transvaal and both date clasps were not fitted.
Cheers Steve