TOPIC:

Edward Francis Reeve Wynne

Private, 1st Dragoon Guards
Trooper, Imperial Yeomanry (Base Company)
Sergeant, Imperial Light Horse, - Anglo Boer War

- Queens South Africa Medal with clasps Cape Colony. Orange Free State and Transvaal to 1383 Serjt. E.F.R. Wynne, IMP.L.H.
- Kings South Africa Medal with clasps South Africa 1901 & 1902 to Serjt. E.F.R. Wynne, IMP.L.H.

Edward Wynne must have been an amazing man. Born in Eastwood in the Parish of Rotherham in the County of Yorkshire on 27 December 1867 he was the son of the local Curate and Vicar of Parkgate, the Reverend Edward Wynne, D.D. and his wife Fanny Maria, born Fenn.

At the time of the 1871 England census a 3 year old Edward was at home in the Parkgate Vicarage in Greasbrough Road along with his parents and siblings Gertrude (4), Clement (1) and Fanny (a mere 7 days old). That the Living Reverend Wynne had aspired to was a prosperous one is borne out by the number of servants in attendance on the family – Sarah Hutchinson was the Nurse and doubled as a Domestic Servant along with Grace Horne, Mary Ann Bills the Cook and Thomas Calvert the Gardener.

Ten years later at the time of the 1881 England census the family scenario had changed dramatically with a large number of new additions. 14 year old Gertrude was still there as was Edward, 13, Clement, 11 and Emma (Fanny), 10 – new arrivals were John, 9, Clifford, 6, Cyril, 4 and Reginald, 2. A similar number of servants as in the previous census followed suit.

The time had arrived when Edward was to be sent to further his education after already gaining his grounding at Christ’s Hospital and at Rotherham Grammar. Career options were somewhat limited for the sons of gentlemen in Victorian England. It was almost expected that one would go into the Army, another would go into the Church (especially if the pater familias was a Curate) whilst yet another would become an Educator or Tutor. This last vocation was destined to be Edward’s lot and he was sent up to Cambridge University entering the hallowed corridors and halls of that institution in 1886 when 19 years of age. According to the Cambridge Alumni he was admitted to St. John’s house on 9 June 1886 matriculating with a Bachelor of Arts from Ayerst House in 1891.

However his time at Cambridge was not without incident - the Herts. and Cambs. Reporter of December 2nd, 1887 under the banner heading "Hoaxing an Undergraduate" reported on an item in which Wynne was involved: -

"John Bryant Allen, described as an undergraduate of St. John's College, was summonsed for assaulting Neville Skottowe Parker, an undergraduate of the same College at 57 Bridge Street on the 10th November. Great interest was manifested in the proceedings, there being a large number of undergraduates in the court.

The complainant stated that on the day mentioned he went to the defendant's rooms about four o' clock in the afternoon. There were several other undergraduates in the room. Witness was sitting on a table by the window looking out into the street. He had his arm upon the window sill, the window being open at the time. There was a night-shirt thrown past him, which went into the street (laughter).The defendant then came up to him and struck him three or four blows in the face with his fist. He believed the accused thought he had thrown it out the window. They had previously thrown the shirt about the room amongst themselves. He did not strike the defendant in return; he simply defended himself. In answer to further questions, witness said if he had had an apology there would have been nothing more said about the assault. He had had, more or less, a considerable amount of trouble with the defendant.

Mr Rawlinson: I think you are before the Council of your College now, and it a question of whether you are sent down or not with reference to your behaviour with the accused.
Witness: Yes it is so.
Mr Rawlinson: I think it is with reference to banns being published at St. Giles Church of the defendant being married, as a hoax?
Witness: Yes that is the charge.
Mr Rawlinson: The defendant's people were written to in consequence of that, and caused them considerable annoyance.
Witness: I believe so. The Council has dealt with the case and the result is that I have been sent down on a charge of publishing banns as a hoax. The banns were published three times. The name of the lady was a fictitious one.

Edward Francis Wynne, an undergraduate of St. John's College, who was also called for the prosecution, in answer to the question put by Dr Cooper, said he was the person who threw the night-shirt out of the window (laughter).

Mr Rawlinson asked the Magistrates to deal with the case as a trivial assault, which did not merit any punishment and in that case they would not have a conviction. After a short consultation, the Mayor said the majority of Magistrates were in favour of dismissing the case. Each party were ordered to pay their own costs.

Whether or not the above incident had a bearing on his decision or not, at some point Wynne indicated that a life in uniform was preferable to a mortar and board as, on 1 January 1890 he completed the Attestation papers for Short Service with the 1st Dragoon Guards at Canterbury. Confirming that he was now 22 years old and a Student he was described physically as being 5 foot 8 inches, weighing 128 pounds and with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and light brown hair. He had, unusually for a Curate’s son perhaps, a tattoo “E.W.” on the back of his right forearm and a bit of indistinct tattooing on the back of his left forearm. Having been found Fit for service he was assigned no. 3419 and the rank of Private. On this occasion either sanity prevailed or his father intervened for young Edward’s first military adventure lasted no more than 126 before he was discharged on payment of £18.

This small detour was of no great consequence in his life and, at the time of the 1891 England census he is shown living at home with his parents at the Vicarage in Nether Haugh, Greasbrough and described as an “Undergraduate at Cambridge”. Having graduated Wynne was thereafter engaged in educational work at Rotherham, in Liverpool, in the Isle of Man and, showing just how adventurous a spirit he was, even in Switzerland on the Continent. He was also sometime Headmaster of Arlesford House School in Margate.

The love bug finally bit Wynne and he entered into the matrimonial estate at St. George’s in Bloomsbury, London on 21 April 1897. 30 years old and described as a Schoolmaster he wed a woman his mother’s – 55 year old widow Emma Herbert – both their addresses was provided as Montague Mansions, Great Russel Street. Why Wynne wed a woman so much older than himself is unknown but it was to cost him dearly emotionally. Emma Wynne (quoting from the Probate record) of Southwold Suffolk died 11 October 1899. Probate to Edward Cheslyne Huntington, Solicitor. Effects £1119.

This setback must have come as a blow to Wynne. His bride of two years was no more. The irony of her having passed away on the very day the Anglo Boer War was declared would have been lost on him as he grieved. Sufficiently recovered from his distress and, caught up no doubt in the fever of patriotism sweeping England, Wynne answered the call for a volunteer Yeomanry to fight alongside their regular army comrades in South Africa. On 7 February 1900 he completed the Short Service One Year with the Colours Attestation form at 12 Suffolk Street at the age of 31 describing himself as a Tutor. He acknowledged his previous spell with the 1st Dragoon Guards and, after passing his medical was assigned no. 13695 and the rank of Private with the Base Company of the Imperial Yeomanry. Physically he was somewhat changed being now 5 feet 9 inches in height and weighing 151 pounds. Of his tattoos there was no trace.

The first Imperial Yeomanry contingent sent to South Africa and that to which Wynne belonged was of a decidedly better stamp of man than most other volunteer outfits. Their numbers were recruited from men’s Clubs and from those with a higher social standing than most. Many paid their own way kitting themselves and providing their own mounts at their own expense. Having arrived in South Africa on 4 March 1900 Wynne set about his work but, after 314 days of Base Company grind, he tired of the inactivity and took his discharge on 18 December 1900. His Proceedings on Discharge forms stated his place of discharge to be McKenzies Farm near Maitland in Cape Town and the reason provided was “his having been permitted to join the Imperial Light Horse. His qualifications were given as Teacher and his Conduct while with the Colours was said to be Very Good.

By the time Wynne joined the I.L.H. the seminal battle of Elandslaagte and the Relief of Ladymith, Kimberley and Mafeking in which they were to feature prominently were long past. There was still, however, much fighting to be had and, on 20 December 1900 he enrolled with the recently raised 2nd Battalion and was assigned no. 1383.

The 2nd I.L.H. at once took the field in the Eastern Transvaal under the command of Major Duncan McKenzie, and the "second in command" to Major J R Royston, both officers of the Natal Volunteers who had greatly distinguished themselves during the siege of Ladysmith and elsewhere. Since taking the field the 2nd ILH had been almost wholly employed in the Eastern Transvaal, where they had done good work under Major-General Smith-Dorrien, Major-General F. W. Kitchener, and other leaders. They had fighting on many occasions and sometimes losses.

On 25th January 1901, at Twyfelaar, Major Maude and Lieutenant Briscoe were wounded. On 6th February, when Smith-Dorrien's force was fiercely attacked by Botha at Bothwell, Lake Chrissie, the regiment had 2 killed and 4 wounded. The attack was driven off, the enemy leaving 25 dead. During February and March Smith-Dorrien's column was one of those acting under General French when he swept the Eastern Transvaal, driving the enemy to the borders of Zululand, and capturing all his artillery and many prisoners.

About the end of January a portion of the 2nd Regiment ILH was railed from the Eastern Transvaal to the south, and in the beginning of February detachments of ILH, South African Light Horse, and Nesbitt's Horse came in contact with the enemy about Colesberg. Between 3rd and 23rd February there was almost constant skirmishing, and many stiffly contested rear-guard actions. The enemy was driven to the west of the railway on the 16th, and having failed to cross the Lower Orange he turned east again. On the 24th Lord Kitchener was able to wire: "Plumer reports Colonel Owen, with detachments King's Dragoon Guards, Victorians, and Imperial Light Horse, captured De Wet's 15-pr and pom-pom. Enemy in full retreat and dispersing. He is being vigorously pursued. De Wet's attempt to invade Cape Colony has evidently completely failed".

In his despatch of 8th September 1901, para 6, Lord Kitchener said, "A third mobile column, which will work from Bethlehem (Orange River Colony) as a centre, has just been organised at Harrismith: it will be under the command of Brigadier-General Sir John Dartnell, and will consist of the two regiments of ILH specially equipped with a view to securing increased mobility". In September it became apparent that Botha was about to attempt a reinvasion of Natal; and in the despatch of 8th October, after describing certain operations about the Brandwater Basin, east of Bethlehem, in which the ILH took part, Lord Kitchener mentioned that Brigadier General Dartnell, with the 2nd ILH, was ordered to Eshowe on the Zululand Border to assist in keeping the enemy out of Natal.

Kitchener also mentioned that the 2nd Regiment had returned by march- route from Zululand to Harrismith on 3rd November. A great converging movement was also foreshadowed, and among the troops to be employed the 1st Regiment was to act from Bethlehem and the 2nd from Harrismith. In the despatch of 8th December the results of that movement are given, but the main body of the enemy, which it was hoped to surround, escaped. Lord Kitchener praised highly the way in which the troops bore the very great strain. About the middle of November both regiments were again in a big operation, but few of the enemy were found.

On the 24th the 1st and 2nd Regiments "surprised” Laurens' commando between Eland's River Bridge and Bethlehem, killing 2 Boers in their attack and capturing 12 prisoners". This success was followed up on the 27th by a combined force of the 1st and 2nd ILH under Lieutenant Colonel McKenzie and Lieutenant Colonel Briggs, in which 24 prisoners, 150 horses, and 800 cattle fell into our hands. The despatch of 8th January 1902 describes further operations under General Elliot, in some of which the ILH took part. When returning to Eland's River Bridge General Dartnell was hotly attacked. "After leaving Bethlehem on the morning of 18th December the latter officer found himself opposed by a large force of Boers under De Wet, who, occupying a position along the Tyger Kloof Spruit, disputed his further advance, whist he vigorously assailed General Dartnell's flanks and rear-guard; sharp fighting was maintained throughout the day. Every successive attack was gallantly repulsed by the two regiments of the ILH until the approach from Bethlehem of the column under Major-General B. Campbell, who had established signalling communication with General Dartnell during the progress of the fight, finally compelled the enemy, about 3 pm, to beat a hurried retreat" in the direction of the Langberg.

A few days after this, before dawn on the morning of the 25th December, the enemy surprised and captured the camp of a battalion of Yeomanry at Tweefontein, inflicting great loss. As soon as the disaster was known the ILH were ordered to the spot, but the Boers, who had got a good start, were not overtaken.

The despatch of 8th February 1902 detailed further operations in the same district, which took place about the end of January, in which substantial loss was inflicted on the enemy. During these some great marching was done; the 2nd Battalion Mounted Infantry (Regulars) covered 82 miles in thirty four hours, the ILH and other troops performing similar feats of endurance. Wynne, meanwhile, had transferred from the 2nd to the 1st Battalion on 25 February 1902 and resumed action without delay.

Just after he had rejoined, there were, between 25th and 29th January 1902, some casualties about Newmarket, 3 men being killed and Lieutenant Bamford and several men wounded.

The despatches of 8th March and 8th April describe the great combined drives in the north east of the Orange River Colony, in which a large number of prisoners, over 1500, were captured. The work of the ILH was specially singled out in the account of the Press Association correspondent. They stopped one very determined rush, when the enemy tried, in the darkness, to break through the line at their part. The 1st lost 4 killed. In the drive from the Vaal to Harrismith about 520 prisoners and 1400 horses fell into the hands of the 1st ILH.

In the despatch of 1st June 1902 Lord Kitchener details the operations undertaken in the Western Transvaal to clear that district after the disasters suffered by Lord Methuen. Troops were taken from "other districts, and the ILH recrossed the vaal. On 11th April Colonel Kekewich had heavy fighting. Soon after starting in the morning the advance guard under Von Donop was attacked: the enemy "advanced rapidly to close quarters in very compact formation, the Boers riding knee to knee, and in many places in two ranks, whilst their attack was supported by a heavy fire from skirmishers on both flanks. Many of the men of our advanced screen in forward positions were ridden over by the enemy, who pressed on rapidly to within 700 yards of the main body and convoys, keeping up an incessant magazine-rifle fire from their horses as they approached. Here, however, they were checked by Lieutenant Colonel Greenfell's troops which were at the head of the main body, the Scottish Horse, 5th IY, and South African Constabulary dismounting and moving forward steadily on foot to meet the coming charge. This was the crisis of the fight, and it was one which terminated quickly with the complete repulse of the Boers and the death of their Commandant, Potgieter, who was conspicuous in leading the attack until he fell, only 90 yards in front of our troops. So far, however, it was only a repulse, but the arrival of Lieutenant Colonel Briggs with the ILH, detached upon the enemy's right flank from Sir H.Rawlinson's force, turned the repulse into a rout". Colonel Briggs, hearing the heavy firing, of his own initiative took the ILH to the scene of the action. Fifty-one dead and 40 wounded Boers were found on the ground, and in the subsequent pursuit by the 1st ILH and troops of Colonel Kekewich two 15-pounder guns, one pom-pom, some vehicles, ammunition, and 36 unwounded prisoners were captured.

Further successful drives took place in the south west Transvaal in which the ILH were engaged. At some stage, his worth being recognised, Wynne was promoted to the rank of Sergeant before taking his discharge on 7 July 1902, some two months after the war was over.

For his considerable efforts he was awarded both the Queens as well as Kings South Africa Medals. But became of him after the war. Wynne, electing to stay in the southern tip of Africa betook himself to Rhodesia where he joined the ranks of the Southern Rhodesian Constabulary on 6 August 1903. His sojourn there wasn’t long – he was discharged from their employ on 7 October 1902 and, since then, was employed on the B&M Railway and then as a Warder at the Salisbury Gaol. According to a letter sent from the Detective Department of the Southern Rhodesia Constabulary on 29 December 1904 he had then left Salisbury for Cape Town in November 1904 and had neither a wife nor property in Salisbury.

Edward Francis Reeve Wynne passed away in Kimberley Hospital on 5 December 1904. His Death Notice lists him as a Prospector which could account for the reason he went to Rhodesia in the first instance but it is a letter written by a companion that shines light on his last days. A Fred Cowin writing from Johannesburg on 15 December 1904 to the Master of the High Court in Kimberley stated thus:

“Dear Sir

Your letter and enclosed form to hand this evening. I am sorry to know that Mr Wynne is dead. I have been thinking about him lately and wrote just yesterday to inquire how he was.

I am sorry I cannot give you much information about Mr Wynne. I never knew him until coming to Johannesburg from Bulawayo a month ago when we were travelling companions. We soon got to be very friendly and he told me a little of his past life.

His father, he said was a Rev. Dr. Wynne who died at Parkhouse near Rotherham a few years ago. He was educated at Cambridge; afterwards became teacher of classics in Geneva. He had been married but his wife died of cancer, leaving no offspring. When war was declared he came to South Africa as a soldier: afterwards for a while was in Durban but eventually went to Rhodesia. He mentioned to me the names of Hartley Hill and Umtali.

Whether he has property or not I cannot tell you. He showed me a piece of quartz however, and did, I believe, speak of some claims in Hartley district. He told me that he had several brothers one in a prominent position in I think, York, Yorkshire, England.

This is all the information I can give you. He was on his way to Cape Town for his health’s sake. He became very ill after leaving Francistown. I attended to him as well as I could; but he became so ill when about Warrenton that – with his permission of course – I wired to the District Surgeon Kimberley to meet the train.

Yours truly

Fred Cowin”

Wynne’s only possessions amounted to a leather bag, tin trunk, watch, papers and a few other articles. His medals were nowhere to be found. On 18 February 1908 his brother Reginald wrote to the Secretary of the War Office from Audley End in Harrogate:

Edward Francis Reeve Wynne – deceased

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 14th instant, the contents of which I note with great regret. I will put the whole circumstances before you as briefly as possible. Information of my brother’s death was conveyed to me b was conveyed to me by the Secretary of the Kimberley Hospital, and also by the Master of the High Court at Kimberley.

On the 4th January 1905, I wrote to the Secretary enclosing him an authority to the said Master, requesting him to hand over to the Secretary, the belongings of my dead brother, and asking the Secretary to send me all such as he deemed to be of family interest, viz: his watch, war medal, and all papers and other articles of interest.

Last year I was informed on high authority that, if my brother had received his medals, and upon my application to the Authorities, they would grant me duplicates thereof, if such were lost. And, if he had not received them, but was entitled to them, they would be granted to me. In the list of belongings supplied me from Kimberley, no medal is mentioned.

My brother was entitled to a small share in a reversion under his grandfather’s will. This he desired to sell, and I purchased from him at a full market value, so he had the opportunity of enjoying what has, in reality, only just recently fallen in, by reason of my grandmother’s death last October. I also procured him several testimonials to enable him to obtain a position (had he lived) in South Africa.

Both my late brother and I were privileged by being educated at Christ’s Hospital. My dead brother offered his services to his country, thus risking his life as long as the Boer War lasted: and afterwards joined the Border Police. He was rewarded therefore by two medals. He died a lonely and lingering death, with no relatives near to comfort him and he lies buried thousands of miles from home.

I had done everything in my power for him in his lifetime, I was willing to discharge his debts after his death. It is very hard, therefore, that I possess no memento of him at all. And, in the hope that my application for possession of his two medals would be granted, I addressed myself to you. Your letter of the 14th instant is expressive of a general rule. May I point out that there is an exception to every rule?

Under all the circumstances herein stated, may I be pardoned for asking that I may be permitted to be the exception?

I am etc. etc.”

On the 28th February 1908 the War Office replied but to the Master of the High Court in Kimberley:

Sir

I am commanded by the Army Council to transmit the accompanying copy of a letter received from Mr Brooke-Wynne regarding the Kings and Queens South Africa Medals awarded in the case of his late brother Mr Edward Francis Reeve Wynne for service as No. 1383 Sergeant, 2nd Imperial Light Horse and No. 13695 Trooper, Imperial Yeomanry, with reference to which I am to request that you may be so good as to cause enquiries to be made at the Hospital alluded to therein, also at any other place where the deceased may have resided just prior to his death, with a view to ascertaining how the decorations were disposed of.

I am to add that the medals in question were despatched to the late Mr E.F.R. Wynne on the 6th June and the 12th October 1904 respectively, whose address was then, Box 102 Salisbury, Rhodesia.

I am sir…”

By all accounts the search was unsuccessful and it is left to a small insertion on the medal roll to tell us what happened. “Receipt of medals by deceased cannot be established. Duplicate K & Q medals issued to brother Mr R.C. Brooke-Wynne, at public expense, as a special case.”

Today, over 110 years later I am proud to be the possessor of those medals.

Thank You Rory for another excellent piece of research and read.......

Mike

Thanks Mike

I'll be taking a bit of break from posting (I can almost hear the collective sigh of relief) for the next few weeks. The sights and sounds of Croatia are more appealing.

I don't think I'll pick up any QSA's in Dubrovnik but you never know....

Regards

Rory

THANK YOU Rory for a most interesting post.
It reminded me of two things, totally unconnected. The mention of 25 Dec, Twefontien, recalled a broken group I have. KSA with SA 01 and 02 to 21136 PTE. H. CROWHURST 34th Coy/11th Btn IY with War and Victory(Bilingual) as 2nd C/WO SASC. I have had ill luck in finding much about him so far.
And I wish I was with you in Dubrovnik. My family and I had the pleasure of spending about 6 months in Croatia back in 1973. I was part of a team planning a Hotel Complex there. I found no ABW items bot a host of Imperial Austrian. That at least was enjoyable.
Again thanks for the great posts you do
James

Hi James

I assume you have his IY papers which are on FMP? I append the first page for your reference - as you can see he was a 20 year old named Hubert.

Your luck is holding because Hubert's Estate File is in the Archives a mile away from where I now write. If you will kindly remind me of this offer when I have returned I will access them for you and send them on. The reference is appended for your perusal.

DEPOT NAB
SOURCE MSCE
TYPE LEER
SYSTEM 01
REFERENCE 4260/1970
PART 1
DESCRIPTION CROWHURST, HUBERT. BORN IN ASHFORD, ENGLAND. SSP GERALDINE LETATIA
CROWHURST (BORN BARNES). DECEASED ESTATE.
STARTING 19700000
ENDING 19710000





Regards

Rory

Rory wrote: Thanks Mike

I don't think I'll pick up any QSA's in Dubrovnik but you never know....

Regards

Rory

Never say Never Rory.......

I have purchased QSA's while visiting in Lima, Peru and Mexico City...... On ebay the odd QSA shows up in Hungary and Romania.......

Mike