TOPIC:

My grandfather M P Clarke was in the Boer War. I found a document that shows he received the Kings South Africa Medal and 2 clasps. It says he was in the British South Africa Police Force. It also says Ashburner's Light Horse to Cape Colonial Forces. I don't know if that was part of the British South Africa Police Force or separate. His # is 691. The document is difficult to read so I can't read his rank. He came from County Mayo Ireland and was 17 yrs old in 1901. I would like to find out more information and get a better copy of the document if available..

Hello pacraven1
Welcome to the forum.
What was your Grandfather's Christian name?
I did a search of the medal rolls with the regimental number 691.
M P Clarke came up reference the Kings South Africa medal
Also, there was a M S Clarke who served in the Mashonaland South Africa Police.
This maybe your Grandfather as the number is 691 with a possible error in the initials.
His rank was that of trooper. His Queens South Africa medal entitlement included Relief of Mafeking, Transvaal and Rhodesia. The more information you can provide pertaining to your Grandfather, the more chance the forum may be able to help you with further information on Trooper M Clarke.

Best wishes

Dave.......

my grandfather's name was Michael Patrick Clarke. My father told me about my grandfather being in the Boer war. My father also told me that my father's older brother was originally given the medal, but I have no idea where it is now.

The document I have says M P Clarkes Rgl. number is 691

Your Grandfather is well represented on Ancestry. Around 24 family trees, including a image of him. Also, there is a contribution from I believe, yourself ?
Unfortunately, the family trees do not have much detail on Michaels time in South Africa. He was certainly very young when he arrived in S. A. I didn't find any shipping records pertaining to his departure. However, there is a shipping document which contains 2 Clarkes ( Nationalty Irish ) returning to Southampton in 1902 on the troopship Gaika which may fit the time line for his return. In my humble opinion I believe that your Grandfather served from 1900 to 1902 and that the information I provided ref Trooper M S Clarke, regimental number 691 is the same man. If this could be verified, then your Grandfather was 16 years old when he served in the BSAP.
It was not uncommon to have errors on records regarding soldiers initials. If that is the case then there were 2 medals issued to Trooper 691 Clarke. This information is of course all supposition on my part. Apologies if the above turns out to be incorrect. I have enclosed a few records for you. Also, fellow forummers may be able to help with details of Trooper Clarke's time in South Africa and to correct me if I have got this very wrong.

Dave.....

For your records.




I was not able to find a better copy of the Kings South Africa roll. The writing is quite light but is eligible.

Dave, Thank you for your help. Yes, that would be my daughter Jennifer and I who are doing the work on Ancestry.