TOPIC:

Hi all,

I am researching Pte 5541 Alexander Lancaster of the 1st Bn West Riding Regiment who served in the Boer War and WW1. He won the MM and Bar in WW1. I was looking at his obituary in the Fulham Chronicle in 1936, which stated that he was Mentioned In Despatches during the Boer War.

How can I verify this and what might this have been for?

Thank you in advance!

Andrew

Andrew
There is a an entry for one "Pte. Lancaster" of 1st WRRgt. in Lord Kitchener's Mentions of March 8, 1901. Assuming that entry applies to your "5541 Pte. Alexander Lancaster" (best to check on the medal roll to be sure), a Regimental History might be the best avenue for further research. Perhaps you might look in the "unit information" section of the menu and see what the WRRegt was doing after they arrived in-theatre from Jan/1900 and the date of the "mention". For example, that Regt. was involved at Klip Drift on 16/2/00 and two days later at Paardeberg. There is no entry for your man in the Palmer Casualty list as a matter of interest.
A "Mention" could have been gained for a number of reasons. In an Infantry Regiment, certainly for bravery in the field or leadership - or otherwise for diligence in work. The term really means that the man in question came to notice and was officially "mentioned" for that. A Mention did not mean that a decoration was awarded.
Good luck with your research.
Regards
IL.

Thank you for your response,

I am very grateful that you took the time out to search that up for me! I am quite sure that Alexander's mention was for either of those actions or the both off them.

Thank you once more for your guidance too.

Kindest Regards,

Andrew

ILO,

Sorry the MID was for the action at Rhenoster Kop on the 28/29th of November 1900.

Did you happen to have the text for the 8th March 1901 despatch?

Andrew

Andrew

Concerning the action at Rhenoster Kop, if you access unit information in the main menu, you can read the text of Stirling's "Our Regiments" concerning the WRRegt. Stirling gives a good potted account of the Rhenoster Kop action.
Regards
IL.

The MID was for Rhenoster Kop:



Courtesy The Register.