TOPIC:

Louis Perio Jerome Caminada

1st Class Sergeant, Natal Police – Anglo Boer War
1st Class Sergeant, Natal Police – Bambatha Rebellion
Lieutenant, 3rd South African Mounted Rifles – German South West Africa
Captain, South Africa Native Labour Corps – Western Front, WWI
Captain, South African Police - 1922 Rand Revolt

- Queens South Africa Medal with clasps Natal and South Africa 1901 to 1224 1st CL. SERJT. L.CAMINDA, NATAL POLICE
- Natal Medal with 1906 clasp to 1C: SGT. L. CAMINADA. NATAL POLICE
- 1914/15 Star to LT. L.J.P. CAMINADA, 3RD S.A.M.R.
- British War Medal to CAPT. L.P.J. CAMINADA
- Victory Medal (unilingual) to CAPT. L.P.J. CAMINADA

Louis Caminada had the sort of names designed to trip-up and confuse the engravers at the various medal offices his medals were issued from. Ample proof of this is to be found above in the various permutations in which his initials were represented on his medals. His other claim to fame was that he was the nephew of the great British Detective Jerome Caminada, the man whom, it is rumoured, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle modelled his legendary character, Sherlock Holmes. Whatever the case was, Louis was destined to follow in his uncle’s footsteps, serving his entire working life (bar the interruption of war) in the Police Force.

Caminada’s life really began with the marriage of his father, John Baptiste Caminada, a 26 year old Book Keeper by occupation, to his mother Kezia Skey in the Registrar’s office in Nottingham on 18 January 1868. That Kezia was most likely “with child” when the marriage took place can be surmised by the birth of Louis, the subject of this work, in Newcastle-under Lyme in Staffordshire six months later, on 3 August 1868. He was one of a twin – his sister, Teresa Gertrude, passing away five weeks later with marasmus - undernourishment causing a child's weight to be significantly low for their age. As an aside, Kezia gave birth to an illegitimate child, Mary Emma Skey baptised on 12 October 1860 at Holy Trinity Brompton. The father was rumoured to be William Gwillian, a gentleman’s servant – this was before she had met John Caminada. Judging by all we know of her thus far Kezia must have been quite a “character”.



1868 was also the year that Louis’ celebrated uncle joined the Manchester Police and, it can be imagined, that future contact with his uncle and the fame he started to enjoy, could well have made him the role-model for an impressionable Louis to emulate.

The 1871 England census revealed something designed to muddy the waters - his mother was recorded as living as Kezia Watts of King St, Newcastle under Lyme, the wife of Robert H. Watts, a Patent Medicine vendor with children Louis (2) and Mary Florence (4). Quite what had happened to John Caminada in the interim is a matter for conjecture. Was he Roberts Watts and why the use of a pseudonym?

Caminada’s baptism only took place six years later, on 15 February 1874, in the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Newcastle - his parents having now deemed it prudent to introduce him to their Roman Catholic faith. The charade continued through to the 1881 England census where Louis is recorded as being a 14 year old school boy, still with the surname of Watts, along with his mother and sister Mary Florence. Of Robert Watts or John Caminada there is no sign although two years later, daughter Mary Florence was baptised on 20 November 1883 at St Alban’s in Cheetwood Lancashire on which occasion her parents’ names were as John Baptiste Caminada and Kate Kezia of 7 Derby Lane, Cheetwood. All very confusing!

Educated, according to his entry in The Natal’s Who’s Who of 1906, privately in Manchester, Caminada’s first employment was with the Post Office. The register for that august institution showed that he joined their employ as a Sorting Clerk in 1885 at the age of 21. That he wasn’t destined to be with them long is confirmed by his enlistment with the Natal Police in Pietermaritzburg on 9 March 1891. Possibly in an attempt to escape the confusion of his family’s domestic arrangements, a 23 year old Louis had taken passage to South Africa to start a new life.

Starting out as a Trooper with no. 1224 he was, according to Daily Order 155, promoted to 1st Class Sergeant on 1st September 1899, just under six weeks before the outbreak of the Anglo Boer War. The Natal Police was a scattered force during this lengthy conflict – part of it was sent as Field Force members to assist Buller with his ponderous advance to relieve Ladysmith, besieged since the beginning of November 1899. Others, a small number, formed part of Buller’s bodyguard whilst still others were spread throughout Natal, continuing with their normal policing duties in so far as they were able.

Caminada was of this latter group – for a glimpse of what he occupied his time with we refer to the Natal Police staff publication, the “Nongqai” page 419 where, in an article headed – Police Reminiscences of Howick and Elsewhere – the writer provided us with the following: -

What a flood of reminiscences of Howick, in the palmy days of the Boer war, is conjured by “L.C.’s” (Louis Caminada) amusing article in the last number of the Nongqai. In its faded glory of today, Howick is probably the Ultima Thule of all outstations. At that time it certainly was. With a large Military Hospital and Convalescent Depot some two miles out, life in the Village was worth living; and the local detachment of N.P. contributed in no small degree to the Utopian state of happiness which then existed.

The Non-com in charge of the Station was Sergt. L. Caminada, now Sub-Inspector at Ladysmith. A nephew of the distinguished chief of the Manchester Detective Department, he was convincing proof of the doctrine of heredity, in that he was an innately clever criminologist himself. “Cam” was a veritable Apollo Belvedere in boots and spurs. A keen prosecutor, always well primed with the technical and material details of his case, large numbers of the public flocked to any cause celebre he was conducting to hear his cross-examination of hostile witnesses. At this he was an adept.

Upon leaving the district which he had served so well, Caminada was the recipient of a farewell dinner, at which he was presented with a handsome gold watch by Mr J.W. Cross, R.M., who presided, as a token of the high esteem in which he was held by the public, in both his official and social capacities. Everyone was lachrymose when the time came for parting arrived; and but for conventional amenities local drapers’ stocks of crape and other articles which go to make up widows weeds would have assuredly run out.”

High praise indeed! So Caminada was stationed in Howick which, in those days, was regarded as an “outpost.” That he had other duties and had been stationed elsewhere as well comes to us via page 631 of the ubiquitous “Nongqai” – “Headquarter News” revealed that, “During the late war, when the resent King and Queen visited this Province, Sub-Inspector Caminada (then Sergeant in the C.I.D.), and Sub-Inspector Pinto Leite were detailed for this duty (accompanying the Royal Party), at the conclusion of which the former was handed a substantial cheque by the A.D.C. which was divided out among those on whom the extra duties of guarding the Royal Party devolved.”

The war over, he was awarded the Queens Medal with clasps Natal and South Africa 1901 to the rank of 1st Class Sergeant.
Life returned to its normal routine and Caminada was posted to the Natal Border Police, a short-lived body, from July 1902 to July 1903. Obviously an erudite man, he conducted regular classes of Law and Rules and Regulations at Headquarters in 1904 on alternate Fridays, when still a Sergeant in the City Courts.

We have the “Nongqai to thank for another titbit of information around him - page 251, entitled “The Law’s Long Arm” informed us that:
“Sub-Inspector Caminada, before his promotion to commissioned rank, was one day casually strolling down the “Square” at Headquarters, thinking of nothing more exciting than whether he would strike Friday nights guard and so miss the “Socker” semi-final on the following afternoon, when he was suddenly recalled to the office, and received orders to then and there proceed with all dispatch to Trieste with two European defaulters, who were badly wanted by the Austrian Government. The following day Sergt. Caminada and the two defaulters were leaving far on their port beam, the fast fading coastline of Zululand, and a few weeks later, the Austrian officials boarded the boat at Trieste and took off their prisoners.” Who said the life of a provincial policeman was boring.

Life in post-Boer War Natal was not for the faint-hearted. Severe austerity measures were in place in an effort to fill the coffers of the Colonial Government, empty on account of the expense incurred in waging war. The powers-that-be hit upon the idea of a Poll Tax which would be levied in respect of every black man of the age of 18 and above with effect from 1 January1906. This proved to be very unpopular with the natives – some accepted it with a surly demeanour whilst others openly defied the magistrates when they went on their rounds to collect it.

One thing led to another and a number of Natal Policemen were murdered in the execution of their duties. The local Militia were called out and the uprising was supressed. However one petty Chief, Bambatha, went about openly fomenting opposition to the tax, enlisting support from various other Chiefs along his way and purporting to represent the Zulu King Dinizulu.

After yet another round of murders the Militia were called out yet again and, after a few months of hide and go seek, Bambatha, who had fled to Zululand, was located along with thousands of his armed followers, in the Mome Gorge outside Nkandla. The Natal Police contingent were at the scene and part of the force which subdued him and his warriors but it is not known what role Caminada played in the fracas. The rebellion was, by and large, over and done with by the end of July and the Militia stood down.

Amid this frenetic activity Caminada found the time to wed – in Durban on 10 August 1906, he took for his wife Kathleen Munro. His occupation was provided as Detective.

There was still much to de done however, as the natives were threatening to rise once more and it was thought prudent to bring King Dinizulu in to put a stop to the trouble. It at this point that we pick up specific reference to Caminada who had been promoted to the commissioned rank of Sub-Inspector on 20 October 1906 with an annual income of £303.

Again we turn to the trusty “Nongqai” for the details. Pages 152/153 entitled “Reminiscences of Life on the N.P. Reserve – Christmas 1907” where the scribe wrote as follows: -

“On the 28th November we sailed into Nongoma; pouring rain, everything looking about us as miserable as possible. We found Inspector Dimmick, Collier, Brown and Sub-Inspector Caminada. We were split up into two Troops, one going to A and one to B Squadrons. There was much rivalry between them. We had plenty of rain for the next few days.

December 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th, busy fixing up wire entanglements, removing stores inside gaol. Caminada took command of the North side, and B Squadron. A maxim was placed on the roof, everyone was full of goof spirits. On the 6th Mackenzie arrived with all the troops pouring in after that.

December 9th, Dinizulu and staff rode up towards midnight, his rifle being loaded with dum-dum, cut off open – evidently he expected an attack by rebels on the road. Dennie, as we used to call him, bought a plentiful supply of wives and wine. I believe six of the former administered to his wants and comforts at Nongoma; I do not know how many bottles of the latter. The fellows on guard often wished they could change places with him.

December 14th, General departure of troops. Dennie also went under escort, en route for Pietermaritzburg. We returned to headquarters after Christmas arriving in Pietermaritzburg on 4 February. After this we were all drafted to outstations.”

Caminada, for his part in the rebellion, both early on and the one described above, was awarded the Natal Medal with 1906 clasp in the rank of 1st Class Sergeant.



One of those posted to an outstation was “our man” – he was sent to Ladysmith, the scene of so much action and misery nine years earlier, in 1909, to replace Inspector Prendergast. It was shortly after his arrival that an announcement appeared in page 367 of the “Nongqai” – Domestic – Births – Caminada – at Ladysmith on Tuesday, the 2nd November 1909, the wife of Sub-Inspector L.P.J. Caminada, N.P. of a daughter. This was followed, on 18 April 1911, by the birth of a son.

1913 was a watershed year for the various Police Forces in South Africa – hitherto each Province had maintained a separate Force but all were now amalgamated into a para-military body known as the South African Mounted Rifles – of which there were as many as five battalions. On 1 April 1913 Caminada was posted to the 3rd S.A.M.R. with the rank of Lieutenant.

The following year the “War to end all wars” burst forth on the international stage and South Africa wasn’t left untouched. The Imperial Government requested the country’s assistance in subduing the German presence in German South West Africa and the Prime Minister, Louis Botha, a formidable foe as a Boer General a mere 14 years earlier, acquiesced. But first there was the matter of quelling an internal rebellion in South Africa first – disaffected Boers, still smarting from the recent conflict, took up arms against the Government and, after a protracted skirmish lasting several months, were finally vanquished leaving the way open for South Africa to invade her neighbouring territory.

Caminada had been in Tempe outside Bloemfontein attending a Musketry course from 29 to 22 March 1914. Having returned to Ladysmith where he was still stationed, he had first to deal with a rather unconventional revolt. Termed “The Battle of Curry and Rice”, page 107 of the 1914 issue commented thus: -

“During the recent Indian Resistance Movement, the first line of defence in the Ladysmith District, No. 2 Troop, “B” Squadron, 3rd S.A.M.R., came into action. The Troop Officer, Lt. Caminada, Staff Sergt. Brown and 15 Native Constables, intercepted about 600 Indians, men, women, children and babies, when marching from the Elandslaagte Mine to Ladysmith. As force was not to be used to turn them back, they were disarmed and accompanied to Ladysmith.

The 600 were later reinforced by another 300 of their compatriots, the whole army bivouacking for the night in the Courthouse yard. Our Troop Officer, who has of late been studying well-known text books on wars, laid his plans in the most approved strategical manner, and having disarmed his potential opponents, placed them in a position chosen by himself – the Courthouse yard.

The O.C. of the “Curry and Rice” brigade then led the whole of his men, women and children forward and hurled hundreds of tin billies, containing curry and rice and other very hot condiments, at the Riflemen. This volley was followed by the babies’ feeding bottles and other missiles which had been held in reserve. The affray only lasted a few minutes, the men of curry and rice beat a hasty retreat and had it not been the Riflemen withdrawing the pursuers, the local undertakers would have done the business of the year.”

Caminada now left for the war – according to the Regimental Orders – Details proceeding on Active Service – he left the S.A.M.R. Training Depot, Pretoria on 18 November 1914 to join their regiments serving with General Lukin’s Column. His service card confirms that he commenced service on 27 October 1914 with the rank of Lieutenant. Not much is known about the role he played in German South West Africa but the theatre was known for its heat, flies and dust more so than actual fighting.

The German forces, having been shepherded further North, finally surrendered at Otavi on 9 July 1915 and Caminada and his comrades were free to return to their normal duties. On 1 August 1915 he was provisionally transferred to the newly created South African Police and restored to the Permanent Force establishment. With effect from the same date he was posted to No. 55 District Greytown (Ladysmith).

But Caminada wasn’t done with the war. He was about to enter a more challenging phase, that of the Western Theatre, France and Flanders, as the Captain and Adjutant of the 3rd battalion of the South African Native Labour Corps. At the age of 48, on 22 October 1916, he departed South Africa’s shores for England aboard the “City of Spartan”, commencing operations at Dannes in France on 15 January 1917. As his next of kin he provided his daughter, Lorna Caminada, care of his mother-in-law Mrs E Munro of 136 Bedford Hill, Balham, London.

Serving at No. 1 Base at Havre, he was Adjutant of the 74th Labour Group Headquarters. On 24 August 1918 he was transferred to the British Labour Corps after a short spell in command of the New Prisoners of War Company at Abbeville.

A little known fact was that, in reality, his first marriage was over. It had taken a dent early on with the death of his first-born child, Jerome, who passed away in Durban with Gastro Enteritis as a baby of four weeks on 5 April 1907; his wife had never fully recovered from this ordeal, despite having two other children. She had left him and sailed to England in 1913 where, although no trace can be found, she must have proceeded to divorce him.

This set the scene for his marriage, whilst stationed at Le Havre in France, to Louise Alphonsine Monville (b. Colbec Seine-Inferieure) on 7 September 1918 in le Havre France. At 21 (born on 8 July 1897) she was a chit of a girl and already widowed or divorced herself.

The war over on 11 November 1918 Caminada continued on in his role but trouble was brewing. As part of the old Natal Police he had been contracted to retire on 30 April 1919 – he was entitled to withdraw what was an automatic request for pension which, having done so, was agreed to by the powers-that-be.

Back in South Africa with his new wife, having disembarked on 21 August, he was posted to Pietermaritzburg which is where, on 9 September 1919, having attained the age of 51, he was required to undergo a medical board examination to determine his fitness to serve in the Permanent Force. This was duly done and he was found to be “Fit” for duty and suffering from no disability. What the report did reveal was a long-ago ailment – enteric fever – with which he had suffered in 1891, his first year in the country.

Had he have thought that his days of “active” service were behind he would have thought wrong – the Miner’s Strike of 1922 will forever remain a blot on the South African labour landscape. Page 278/279 of the “Nongqai edition of May 1922 reported thus: -

“With the 1st and 2nd Troops, “E” Squadron

During the strike these troops were under the command of Captain L. Caminada of Eshowe. Most of the men were drawn from the Transvaal, Natal, Free State and Kimberley Divisions. At the outset of the strike these men were conducted, on 9 January, from Roodepoort to Robinson. On arrival at the Robinson Mine they were met by the General Manager. The next day a very fine laager was formed on modern lines with 600 sand bags, which not only protected the horses from the weather but put the breeze up the local commando.

For some time things went with an easy swing, then the strikers were reinforced by a local commando of the non-gentle members of the opposite sex. Then the fun started and the “ladies” got to work. The alleged delinquents were soon lodged in the cells of the Randfontein Police Post. When the question of bail was considered the whole strength of the local commando, reinforced by a few hotheads from Krugersdorp West, about 300 strong, put in an appearance and thus gave Captain Caminada his opportunity.

He warned the innocent onlookers to disperse and then explained to the leaders of the opposing force that if they stepped forward or made manifest movement with the intention of releasing the prisoners he would give the order to fire, and if the women who, he explained, had exchanged their skirts for their husbands trousers, got in the way, and stopped the lead, they would only have themselves to blame. This firm attitude had the desired effect, and from that time to the finish the police held the upper hand in the Randfontein and Randgate areas.

The proclamation that Martial Law had been declared was made known on the morning of Friday, 10th March, when Captain Caminada and Head Constable McDonald presented themselves at the Trades Hall, stopped a foot parade and addressed the commandant and men, informing them that martial law had been proclaimed.

About the beginning of March, when the direct actionists had decided to carry on with the stunt of killing natives and so afford an excuse for turning out with arms to suppress a mythical rising, the local Red commandant came to the camp for an interview with Captain Caminada. This was granted and the commandant begged that in the event of the natives rising or giving trouble he would be allowed to call out his commando to assist the Police. He was informed, however, that the shooting season for natives and coloured persons was closed in that district and that there were quite sufficient Police to cope with any disorder and his commando too.”

Caminada finally retired from the force on 3 August 1923. He retired to “Devon Villa”, March Street, Mossel Bay in the Southern Cape from where he wrote on 19 January 1924, to the Staff Officer, Port Elizabeth as follows: -

“I beg to make application that I may be placed on the Reserve of Officers with the rank of Major please. I retired from the S.A. Police, age limit, 55 years, on pension. Services – Natal Police, S.A.M.R. 3rd Regiment, S.A. Police, 33 years continuous service. Passed Musketry and Law Courses both with practically full marks. Active service – Boer War, Natal Zulu Rebellion, German South West, France. Very active and young for my age.”

This request was refused and Caminada, in a fit of pique, wrote back stating that, “Unless I can go on reserve with the rank of Major, my application may be cancelled.

Caminada passed away in Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town on 9 August 1945 at the age of 77 from Cardiac Failure, survived by his second wife and four children – two from each marriage. His usual place of residence prior to his death was 6 Lincluden Flats, Belper Road, Wynberg.

An interesting man had breathed his last.

Thank You Rory...… A fantastic start to the day..... Mike

That's a fantastic biography and great supporting photos too. Curry and Rice, I like that! Many thanks, Rory.

I was going through the Mardall family's self-published account of his life and times and happened upon these photos which feature Caminada as a member of the short-lived Natal Border Police - they were only in existence from July 1902 to July 1903.


Caminada standing to the right.


Caminada with tennis raquet in hand.