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Forum members
Just now I was removing pages relevant to the ABW from past magazines and I ran across an article in "The Armourer" concerning the occupation of Dundee by the Boers and the Armoured Train incident. The author mentions a certain book titled "The Durban Light Infantry 1851-1934" and I have searched online to no avail.
The bell sounded as several years ago I chanced across an interesting pair at very reasonable price on a certain online auction site: QSA bars Rof Ladysmith/Transvaal impressed to "767 Pte F.D.Dawes, Durban L.I." and a WW1 Merchant Marine medal impressed to "Frank B.Dawes". The pair was inexpensive as the BWM was missing. Indeed. there may not be any meaningful connection between the two. I have not researched the pair so far; one of those things deferred until the Big R.
My question is to ask if any forum member has access to the abovementioned work on the Durban LI - and does that book provide rolls or rosters of whom was where?
Too much to expect Dawes was on the Armoured Train!!!! However, long shots sometimes work out.
Any assistance greatly appreciated.
IL.

Hello

The Natal Volunteer Record lists a nominal roll of DLI by company. By cross referencing this with the Natal Casualty List, and using the nominal roll in WO127 to verify service it would appear that all the casualties sustained in the Armoured Train incident on 15th November 1900 all came from C Company. Your man is listed in A Company. Various references place a half company on the train and others a full company. Short of having a confirmed casualty I think it will be hard to definitely say who from C Company was on the train or not. I am awaiting the arrival of the DLI History Vol 1 & 11 so can't check there if there is anything else.

Hope this helps

Jon

Jon
Thank you very much for your research re the Dawes QSA to Durban LI. Your method of cross referencing re the Armoured Train incident is one I was quite unaware of - and doubtless will be useful to others. Again, thanks for your help in this.
Best regards
IL.

Ian

Do you know if Dawes served in the South African Merchant Navy or the British one? If it is the former, then you have a rare medal.

Regards
Brett

Brett
Nice to hear from you! Re Dawes and the Mercantile Marine bronze, I simply do not know if a Brit or SA recipient. Book BBM latest edition does not say if the SA ones were named differently. Several years ago I had a look for him on the NA site and found a possible "Frank Bernard Dawes" with DoB 02051874 and a discharge number 794412. However, I have not taken it any further. It was only finding "The Armourer" magazine article that started my interest again. Given the difference in second initial, they might be a family "pair".
Thanks for your intriguing comment.
Kind regards
IL.

Brett
Inspired by your good self, I splashed out on the NA site and have a scan of the MIC. Medal issued to an address in Bristol; chap born in Clevdon. Pity the BWM is missing.
Regards again
IL.