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Hello Everybody,

I've just been accepted as a member of this forum and the reason for my interest is my great uncle Fred Clark who joined the 1st BN Lincolns in 1901, serving his full 12 years with the colours before enlisting with the Northamptons at the outbreak of war in 1914. One of five brothers to serve, three of which were to die, Fred included, at Cuinchy, Pas de Calais 29th January 1915.
Although his service record with the Northamptons does not exist, his Lincolnshire one does & I attach his attestation on which can be seen that he was a member of the Militia, 5th Kings Royal Rifle Corps on enlistment to the regulars. Curiously, in his Service Statement he has 236 days of embodied service to reckon towards a pension from 2.5.00 to 4.12.00 with 3rd KRRC. I initially thought this may have been a clerical error, but further research established on page 388 of Colonel George Jackson Hay’s ‘An Epitomized History of The Militia’ it is stated. under Embodiment, Occasion, South African War…1900, May 2 to 1900 Dec 4. That is an exact match for the dates shown on Fred Clark’s service record.
Furthermore, medal rolls for the 3rd KRRC at the National Archives (WO-100-196_03) reveal that the 5th KRRC & also 9th militias were awarded medals for their participation in the 2nd Boer War.
So my question is, does anybody on this forum have any information about what Fred Clark & his comrades undertook in their 236 days in the conflict?

I should also add that at the date of embodiment Fred would have only just turned 18 years of age (age details on the attestation are wrong as I have his birth certificate) and looking through 1914 - 1918 eyes, he would have been under age for overseas service, yet, I have seen many an individual in medal rolls with a rank of 'Boy' so can anyone assist with the under 19 years old criteria not being applicable in 1900?






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Welcome!
The KRRC record and medal rolls are here
www.angloboerwar.com/unit-information/im...gs-royal-rifle-corps

Thanks Rob