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John Henry Tangye was an official photographer with the Royal Engineers during the Boer War and was M.I.D. for his troubles. Here is his story

John Henry Tangye, M.I.D.

Corporal, (Photographer), 29th Company, Royal Engineers – Anglo Boer War

- Queens South Africa Medal with clasp Cape Colony to 26283 Cpl. J.H. Tangye, R.E.
- Kings South Africa Medal with clasps SA 1901 & 1902 to 26283 Cpl. J.H. Tangye, R.E.

John Tangye, as photographs further down this article will show, was a small man. Small in stature but probably big in heart; he was baptised on 13 March 1870 in the place of his birth, Keswick, Cumberland, England. John’s father was a Joiner by trade and his mother, Mary Ann, a housewife.



Tangye as a Corporal on his bicycle

At the time of the 1871 England census Tangye was a baby of just 1 year and the first born child of the young family residing in Pearson’s Yard, Keswick. What happened to the family during the 1881 census is unknown but they don’t appear to have been enumerated until another ten years went by and the 1891 census rolled round. This census showed that Tangye, now 22 years of age, was a Boarder in the house of Albert Carlman at 55 Paris Street, Exeter. His occupation was provided as Photographer and it was in this capacity that he was to make his mark in and after the Boer War.

On 6 January 1892 Tangye walked into the Recruiting office of the Royal Engineers in Exeter and completed the Attestation forms for Short service with the Colours. Confirming that he was indeed a photographer by trade he added that he had served his apprenticeship of 4 years at Keswick with a Mr Abraham. Claiming to be 23 years of age he was 5 feet 5 inches in his stockinged feet and had a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. A member of the Church of England he had no distinguishing marks about his person.



Outside the tent of the 29th Coy. Tangye is on the left

Assigned to G. Coy. as a Sapper he was given no. 26283 and the unofficial title of Photographer to the R.E. Tangye was to spend 2 years and 179 days on home soil before he was posted to South Africa as part of the 29th Company of the Royal Engineers. In that time he was able to improve his academic record by obtaining first a 3rd Class pass (5 April 1894) and then a 2nd Class pass (16 May 1894) his crowning achievement was when he was mustered as a Photographer (Skilled) on 26 January 1894.

Having arrived in South Africa Tangye’s Company seems to have been garrisoned at Cape Town. According to the Proceedings of a Court of Inquiry assembled at Cape Town on 17 March 1896 for the purpose of “investigating the circumstances attending the injury sustained by the Sapper No. 25572 G. King” Tangye was called as the 2nd Witness in the case. He stated under oath as follows,

“I was Lance Corporal on gate duty on the night of the 1st of May 1896; about midnight Sapper King returned to Barracks to answer his name at the Guard Room, Main Barracks. I noticed that his clothing was covered in dirt also that his tunic was torn. I examined him and found that he had been stabbed. I had him conveyed at once to the Military Hospital. I cannot say how he met with the accident.”



In a contemplative mood

So life for Tangye’s and his comrades wasn’t all boring! In addition, to while away the hours Tangye put his photographic skills to good use taking scenic photos of Cape Town which was then and still is now, one of the most beautiful spots on the globe. In October 1899 war broke out between Britain and her Empire on the one hand and the two Boer Republics in South Africa on the other. Having arrived in South Africa on 4 July 1894 and having spent 4 years and 218 days in the Cape, Tangye had been placed on the A Reserve on 6 February 1899. 22 days later, on 28 February 1899, he married Marie Katherine Krans (a woman of Dutch heritage) in Cape Town in a service officiated by Rev G.W. Wagner. He wasn’t to know that war would break out in less than 8 months time and that he would be foes with his wife’s kith and kin.

Tangye was recalled from the Reserve on 15 October rejoining the Colours the next day. He had already been promoted to 2nd Corporal in 1897 and it with this rank that he rejoined serving another 3 years and 153 days until 17 March 1903 when he was allowed to return to the Reserve. An anomaly in his service arose with the issue of the Queens Medal to him. Initially he was allowed the clasps Cape Colony and Orange Free State although the latter was then denied him. That did in actual fact serve in the Orange Free State is proven by a photograph in the Royal Museum under “Ephemera 43” which was a cutting from a magazine, a reproduction of a photograph entitled “Military Hospital at Orange River: Interior of a Ward” which Tangye took in 1900. Nevertheless the clasp was denied him.



Ready to "do battle"

Having served for more than 18 months in the war he was also entitled to the Kings Medal which was issued to him with both date clasps. Such was the quality of his work that Tangye was Mentioned in the Despatch of Earl Roberts for “good services rendered in South Africa” This appeared in the London Gazette of 17 January 1902. He was released from service after a full 12 years with the Colours and Reserve on 5 January 1904

Whilst in the midst of war Tangye had obviously found the time for more physical pursuits - St Barnabas Church in Cape Town bearing witness to the baptism of his daughter Mary Elsie Lilian on 15 November 1901. He is recorded as being a Corporal with the Royal Engineers.

After the Boer War ended Tangye returned to civilian life in Cape Town pursuing his chosen profession as a Photographer. He passed away at Somerset Hospital on 2 September 1911 at the age of 41 from an undisclosed complaint and was survived by his wife Mary Ann (the name must have been anglicised). Of his daughter Mary there was no sign. At the time of his death he had been resident at 4 Krynauw Street, Gardens, Cape Town.

Just superb, the third and forth photographs, in particular, are very interesting, a magnificent pair!

Thank you Frank

There are a number of scenic photographs of Cape Town and it environs at the turn of the previous century which he took and which are housed in the Archives.

I didn't think that they were relevant to his medals or service so have quietly filed my copies among my notes on him.

Regards

Rory

Rory, that's awesome!

Another engraved QSA Rory, not rare in itself, but very nice indeed and of course, to this particular man, superb and very unusual.