TOPIC:

1116 TROOPER EDWIN ALEXANDER FAIRWEATHER: BETHUNE'S MOUNTED INFANTRY.
1485 TROOPER EDWIN ALEXANDER FAIRWEATHER: STEINAECKER'S HORSE.

Edwin Alexander Fairweather was born on 16th May 1880 to parents Thomas Fairweather (38, a Commercial Clerk) and Elizabeth (31) at Enfield, Middlesex, England.
He was christened on the 10th September 1880 at St. Andrews, Enfield.

The family were residing at Upper Gordon Road, Enfield, Edmonton, Middlesex according to the census of 1891.
Edwin and his parents were joined within the family unit by; Ada H B (17), Kate A (15), Norman A (13), Harold E (9), Paul (7), Victor (4) and Dorothy (2).
Apparently the family were comfortably off as the eldest daughters were not recorded as employed. However, no servants were employed, so one can assume that everyone contributed to the running of an efficient and happy household.

In 1899 Edwin emigrated to Quebec, Canada embarking from the port of Liverpool. He declared himself to be a humble labourer.

At some point, whether to travel to South Africa to work or perhaps as an indulgence passenger to get involved in the South African war against the two Boer Republics of Transvaal and the Orange Free State, he found himself in the middle of this huge conflict.
He attested to Bethune's Mounted Infantry as Trooper 1116 and served with them from 29th October 1900 until 31st August 1901. He described his next of kin as his aunt, Mrs. Rumbelow, Home Farm, Twickenham, London.
Three weeks following his discharge from Bethune's, he enlisted in Steinaecker's Horse at Pietermaritzburg on 21st September 1901 at the age of 21 and again told the recruiting officer that he was a labourer. He was a tall chap for the day being 5' 10 1/2", 160 lbs in weight, had grey eyes, dark hair, no distinguishing marks. Here is next of kin was his father of 224 Richmond Road, Hackney, London.
Edwin's own address was "Whitcot", St. George's Road, Forty Hill, Enfield, London. So his stay in Canada proved to be short on this occasion.
He was discharged on completion of his period of service on 23rd July 1902 after the cessation of hostilities.
He does not appear on any casualty lists for the war, so I am regrettably unable to pinpoint any actions he may have been involved in at this juncture..


Queen's South Africa medal awarded to 1116 Trooper E Fairweather of Bethune's Mounted Infantry bearing clasps for Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal, and King's South Africa medal to 1485 Trooper E Fairweather of Steinaecker's Horse. Both medals and clasps confirmed on the relevant medal rolls.




Officially impressed number, rank and naming to the rims.


Officially impressed regimental naming to the rims.

Provenance of the medals: previously in the collection of Bill Woolmore and mounted on black felted board. I'm going to leave them as I found them as they would have presented in Bill's cabinet.


Shortly after returning to England, he married Maude Lydia Cluse in 1904, in Edmonton, London. The union was blessed with two daughters namely, Barbara Lesley Fairweather (1909-1991) and Elaina Mary Fairweather (1913-1997).
Sadly, Maude passed away in 1942 in her 69th year.

During the marriage, Edwin is found to be travelling far and wide around the world. He sailed from London on 31st January 1911 aboard "Highland Laddie" bound for Buenos Aires, Argentina. There is no description of occupation/trade on the passenger manifest.
On 11th October 1928, he travels aboard the ship "Avila" from London to Buenos Aires, this time accompanied by his wife Maude and both of his daughters Barbara (19) and Elaina (15).
Their last recorded address prior to sailing was "Montrose Hotel", Clapham Common, S. W. (London). Perhaps the family had sold up in order to emigrate to Buenos Aires to take up a career opportunity?
He was now an accountant by profession.

On 16th August 1934, Edwin (now a manager) and Maude sailed from Liverpool to Montreal, Canada. They were both aged 54 and travelled in Tour class.


Life in Canada must have been to the Fairweather's liking as they appear to have stayed on there. I do not know the location of Maude's demise in 1942, but Edwin lived to the very great age of 98. He passed away on 2nd May 1979 at New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada. He was buried at Oliver, Okanagan-Similkameen, BC, Canada.

And so ended a long and adventurous life of travel, career and conflict.

References:

Findmypast.
Ancestry.
Familysearch.
Woolmore, William (Bill), (1980). "Steinaecker's Horsemen South Africa 1899-1903."
djb for attestation document.
Grave registration Canada.

Steve,

A very nice group. Here is his StH attestation

And Bethune's attestation.