TOPIC:

Hello,

I am trying to find out exactly what battles my great uncle was involved in during the Boer war, I have his service record upon discharge in 1907 and it states under medals - South Africa 1899 - 1900 and The Clasp Defence of Ladysmith. His name was Henry Doyle and the service number on his service record was 9020 however I can find no record of a H Doyle with this service number in any of the online searches I have done. Also the record says posted 15/12/96 to 2nd Battalion K.R.Rifles and underneath that it states "elected to come under the provisions of the special army order of 2nd April 1898' I have no idea what this means. I have found no record of a H Doyle serving with the K.R.Rifles during the boer war however I have found a H.Doyle who was injured with the Scottish Rifles at Scion Kop with service no 2626, could this be the right person? The records have me usually confused - any help or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Alan

Seasons greetings Alan,
I assume you must have good reason to feel that 9020 Henry Doyle KRRC is your great uncle, if so, what is it?
His papers in WO97 are very detailed so you should know if this is your relation or not?
Regarding his medal he is shown in WO100/196 with the initial J, but, this is just a error.
Regards Frank

AR wrote: Hello,

I am trying to find out exactly what battles my great uncle was involved in during the Boer war, I have his service record upon discharge in 1907 and it states under medals - South Africa 1899 - 1900 and The Clasp Defence of Ladysmith. His name was Henry Doyle and the service number on his service record was 9020 however I can find no record of a H Doyle with this service number in any of the online searches I have done. Also the record says posted 15/12/96 to 2nd Battalion K.R.Rifles and underneath that it states "elected to come under the provisions of the special army order of 2nd April 1898' I have no idea what this means. I have found no record of a H Doyle serving with the K.R.Rifles during the boer war however I have found a H.Doyle who was injured with the Scottish Rifles at Scion Kop with service no 2626, could this be the right person? The records have me usually confused - any help or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Alan

Alan,
I did not talk about that order you made mention of, prior to that date a sum was taken from the soldiers wage and given to him on discharge as a lump sum, one off payment, this ceased on that date and it could either be given back or it could go towards the additional costs of a mans daily rations and offset it.
Frank

AR wrote: Hello,

I am trying to find out exactly what battles my great uncle was involved in during the Boer war, I have his service record upon discharge in 1907 and it states under medals - South Africa 1899 - 1900 and The Clasp Defence of Ladysmith. His name was Henry Doyle and the service number on his service record was 9020 however I can find no record of a H Doyle with this service number in any of the online searches I have done. Also the record says posted 15/12/96 to 2nd Battalion K.R.Rifles and underneath that it states "elected to come under the provisions of the special army order of 2nd April 1898' I have no idea what this means. I have found no record of a H Doyle serving with the K.R.Rifles during the boer war however I have found a H.Doyle who was injured with the Scottish Rifles at Scion Kop with service no 2626, could this be the right person? The records have me usually confused - any help or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Alan

Hello Frank

Thank you for your reply, I am 100% certain the Henry Doyle with service no 9020 is my Great uncle as on his service record (Army Form B265) when he was discharged in 1907 he states his contacts as father's name Christopher Doyle a gardener from Glen of the Downs, Co.Wicklow and his brother Denis at same address. Christopher Doyle is the father of my Great Grandmother. I also know Henry was transferred to Army reserves in 1903.

Hello Frank - you stated that His papers in WO97 are very detailed, can I ask how did you find these? I have tried and I cannot locate or view these. Is there a link you know of?

Hello Alan,
WO97 is available at Kew and most of it is available via fmp on line and WO100 is available at Kew or via ancestry, so if you know that this is your man, you need not look at other men with similar names who served in other regiments.
Regards Frank Kelley

AR wrote: Hello Frank - you stated that His papers in WO97 are very detailed, can I ask how did you find these? I have tried and I cannot locate or view these. Is there a link you know of?