TOPIC:

I am researching my grandfather, Cornelius Richard St John Gladwin, great-grandfather, Frederick Parker Gladwin, and great-uncle Theophilus Allen Gladwin all of whom I have discovered were involved in the Boer War either in the Bedford Town Guard or Bedford District Mounted Troops. I have searched their names on this site and wondered if someone could answer a few queries and maybe point me to other sources of information.
When I did a name search I came up with the following:
Gladwin Cornelius R Trooper Served 16 Jan 00 to 22 Oct 00. Discharged, medically unfit. Nesbitt’s Horse Source: Nominal roll in WO127
Gladwin Cornelius R St John Sergeant Source: Nominal roll in W0127 Nesbitt’s Horse
Gladwin St John Source: WO100/280
Given the unusual name, I would have thought these are all the same person (I know the last two would be as he was known as St John Gladwin). If so, why would he have been discharged and then appear on the QSA medal roll in 1901 and have change rank from trooper to sergeant. Is there a more detailed service record anywhere?
The QSA medal roll has some information that is probably not relevant but I wonder if someone could explain it to me. It is the highlighted section in the attached document.

Regarding Frederick Parker Gladwin, he is also on the medal roll but it says ‘no trace’. Does that mean they couldn’t find him? It seems odd if two of his sons are on the roll as well.
Are there any other places where I would find information? I would love to see their attestations if they still exist.
If anyone could help I would be grateful.

Liz,

Some of those who participated in the Boer War, especially local men, often served in more than one unit as the period of service was normally measured in months. Sometimes we so see different ranks as experience was rewarded by promotion in a later unit.

I will have a look for his attestation paper for Nesbitt's Horse.

Re your screenshot, when a person served in more than one unit, the authorities has to decide to which unit to name the medal. The note here says his medal was issued of the roll for Nesbitt's Horse and will therefore be named to that unit. The numbers are the reference to that other medal roll, his name (no number Trooper) on that roll and the date 1 April 1908.

Best wishes
David

Hi David,
Thank you very much for your information so far. It makes more sense now to see three entries for him. Would there be any information about why he was discharged as unfit? I would love to see his attestation if it is available and also that of Frederick Parker Gladwin. It seems he was on the medal roll as well but I'm not sure whether he received it.

Look forward to hearing from you if you have found anything else.

Best wishes,

Liz

Liz,

Cornelius's attestation in Nesbitt's Horse

Theophilus's for Nesbitt's Horse

FamilySearch has several records for the Gladwins including this Frederick Parker who died in 1911 aged 68