TOPIC:

Hello from Australia,

My grandfather George Henry HOVEY born in Sheffield abt 1873. He joined the
'Imperial Light Infantry' or 'Cavalry' on 26 Sept 1899 in Maritzburg SA as a
Trooper - regimental No 355. He served in Elandslaagte and Ladysmith,
according to his Queen Victoria medal. Previously he had served in the York & Lancaster Regt for 5 years - discharge on purchase.

I was told he was shot/injured in action and wondered if there was any information out there regarding Boer War wounded soldiers. ie: when and how. Are there records of service available for Boar War soldiers?
This is a great site - I found him on the nominal roll - much to my delight.
Judy K

Good morning and welcome to this forum,
The Imperial Light Horse was a unit of the SAMIF and as such you will find any surviving attestation and discharge papers in WO126/55-65 at the TNA Kew London, he appears not to be on the published casualty rolls, a wound, might be mentioned in his papers.
Again welcome and good luck with any research.
Regards Frank

Just looked at WO100, he is shown as wounded, Wagon Hill, 6th January 1900!
And as per WO127 as Superannuate on the 19th of May 1900.
Regards again Frank

WO100/250page 41

Judy

You should be proud to be descended from a man who served in the ILH, and prouder still that he took part in the Battles of Elandslaagte and Wagon Hill.
In both these battles, the ILH distinguished themselves, winning two VC's at Elandslaagte and one VC at Wagon Hill. Since your grandfather was wounded at Wagon Hill, you can be sure he was in the thick of the action.

While it might not be easy to find a copy, I recommend that you read all about the ILH in the book:
'The Story of the Imperial Light Horse in the South African War 1899-1902' by G F Gibson (Published by G.D. & Co. in 1937).

Regards
Brett

Frank,

Thank you so much for the information re my grandfather's wounding at Waggon Hill - a place I have never heard of before. I will try to obtain his service record from Kew.

Judy

Thank you Brett. I will try to find a copy of the book. Yes I am proud of him - I have his Queen Victoria medal and his service record for his 5 yrs in the York Lancaster Regiment.

Judy