TOPIC:

Adrian, My husband doesnt recollect that name. There was an Edward Merton but he apparently was adopted into the Merton family (previous surname was Schaafsma), so he doesnt think it is the same person. You have been most helpful. Many thanks KM

24527 Corporal Frederick Merton transfered from the Army on the 31st of May 1901 from the following day he served in the South African Army Reserve until he was discharged on the 13th of May 1902

Wow! Thanks very much Frank - that is a gem of find. Regards KM

Just to be quite clear on this matter, the same subject came up on here a couple of weeks ago, in the British Army, a man who transfered to the Reserve during the war, could, if he intended to reside in South Africa and not return home, do so, in the South African Army Reserve and have his account settled by the Chief Paymaster in the Cape Colony, that is what happened here in this particular case.
In addition, WO97 confirms that he joined the Royal Engineers on the 14th of May 1890, he was an 18 year old boatman, from Southsea Portsmouth Hampshire, he was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 3rd of July 1895, to 2nd Corporal on the 1st of November 1900 and then to Corporal on the 1st of March 1901.
He served in South Africa from the 9th of October 1899, moreover, his medal and clasps are confirmed and correct.
At the point he was discharged, his wife, Ellen Merton was living at Berkley Street in Southsea.

60plus wrote: Hi Adrian,
Yes this is the same person. I have the notes we got from the Pretoria Archives regarding the wills of Frederick Merton and also Ellen Merton (Willoughby).
I can trace my husbands grandmother through various censuses and also the will records verify her details, but strangely the birth place and parentage for Frederick is not matching anything here in the UK.
We know he died in 1936 and what his age was but no birth records fit with other known facts. That is why I wondered if there was any other records, such as how did the soldiers apply or get granted permission to remain in South Africa once the Boer War was ended? It is fascinating to think the men who left U.K. for a war could be ready to spend their future and that of their families, in this far away country. Regards KM

Thank you a thousand times over!!!

Hi 60 plus

I can add that he served in 'A' Pontoon Troop and that the clasp South Africa 1901 was sent to him (presumably in South Africa) 21/12/1904 to add to his original medal with the clasps Natal & Transvaal.

Regards

David