TOPIC:

Hi all

I am researching my wife's family history and have found that her grandfather served with the Royal Horse Artillery in the Boer War. He was William Lloyd, born 1875. I have managed to find his service record and as I am completely unfamiliar with military matters have had a little difficulty in deciphering some of it. In particular I'm not sure which battery he served with, it looks as if he started with "A" but was then transferred to what looks like "W" and possibly "U", but the letters are not very clear. From the site it doesn't look as if there was a "W" battery. I have attached the relevant page so would appreciate if anybody has any views on which battery he may have served with and when. I note he was a "driver" - is there any information on the role of a "driver"? The last sheet of his record shows clasps for Diamond Hill, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Paardeberg, Relief of Kimberley and Wittebergen. Don't know if that helps with what battery he was with. Any views and information will be appreciated.

Brian Howes

Hi Brian,

Welcome to the forum.
Can maybe answer one of your questions about a Driver.
I am no expert on Royal Horse Artillery but I think a Driver was responsible for two horses they where also trained as gunners to help them function in that role.
The clasps you mention on his QSA I think are all battle clasps so he must of been involved in some serious action.

Paul

BrianRHowes wrote: Hi all

I am researching my wife's family history and have found that her grandfather served with the Royal Horse Artillery in the Boer War. He was William Lloyd, born 1875. I have managed to find his service record and as I am completely unfamiliar with military matters have had a little difficulty in deciphering some of it. In particular I'm not sure which battery he served with, it looks as if he started with "A" but was then transferred to what looks like "W" and possibly "U", but the letters are not very clear. From the site it doesn't look as if there was a "W" battery. I have attached the relevant page so would appreciate if anybody has any views on which battery he may have served with and when. I note he was a "driver" - is there any information on the role of a "driver"? The last sheet of his record shows clasps for Diamond Hill, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Paardeberg, Relief of Kimberley and Wittebergen. Don't know if that helps with what battery he was with. Any views and information will be appreciated.

Brian Howes