TOPIC:

Hi there!
I'm new to the forum and recently registered, but have often researched on this informative site. I am the great-granddaughter of Harry Hawes, who served in the Cape Garrison Artillery. He was born in Bethnal Green, London in 1876 and came to South Africa to fight in the Anglo-Boer War in 1899. He resigned in 1900 to take up a post as Jetty Superintendent at Walvis Bay in (then) German South-West Africa (now Namibia). He married a local woman and they lived in Walvis Bay until WWI, when for safety's sake they left for Port Elizabeth in South Africa. They had nine children (two of whom are still alive; one has just turned 87 and the other will be 90 in July). Harry passed away in 1927 at the relatively young age of 51. The search continues to fill in the gaps in Harry's life: a visit to Namibia is on the cards, as is another trip to TNA at Kew to find out more about him pre-1899.
Very happy to be able to place him in his Cape Town regiment! Have tried to visit Fort Wynyard in Cape Town (where the CGA were stationed) but access not that easy.
Many thanks for the opportunity to 'introduce' my ancestor on this website.
Warm regards
Cherie Wright: Cape Town, South Africa
[Attached: Harry G Hawes in uniform - presumably ABW??]

Hello Cherie,

Welcome to the Forum.

There is next to nothing on the CGA in the Archives in Roeland Street in Cape Town but as the CGA are now in the Castle, I think you should give the museum curator, Natie Greef a call. His contact number at the Castle is 021 7871153.

I attended a medal meeting in the Officers Mess of the CGA a while ago and they have (if memory serves) a good library and I am sure he will help you with some research or at least point you in the right direction.

Good luck

Regards

Adrian

Hello Cherie,
That is a lovely period photo of your great grandfather in uniform, you seem to me to be in an advanced state regarding research, with regards to visiting Kew, as time goes by, more and more stuff is going on line these days.
So a look on Find my Past and Ancestry etc is worth doing, but, many documents are in transcribed form only and are therefore subject to errors, it is no substitute for a visit their in person!
I wish you good luck in your future research.
Frank

Thanks for the mail, Frank. I have been to Kew once before, but was a little overwhelmed on the first visit. I've done a fair amount of research online, as I have both Ancestry and FindMyPast subscriptions. I'm also lucky to have two of my father's cousins who are researching as well, so we're supporting each other. The photograph/s of Harry were only recently rediscovered, and are in very good condition.
I think that Kew will knock down quite a few brickwalls. As you say, transcribed form or online indexes don't always give too much info.
Regards
Cherie