TOPIC:

I rounded off an (almost) perfect collecting week, which started with the ABO/DTD/LvW to a KIA Commandant, with some very nice acquisitions at the Yate Militaria Fair yesterday. One of these was a QSA (CC) to 22831 Pte. George Rowland, Border Horse.

Rowland is on the Casualty Rolls as being MIA on 23 April 1901 at a place called Gelegenfontein. My question is - in what engagement would this have taken place? Stirling has the following which pertains to that date

- LORD KITCHENER'S DESPATCHES: 8th March 1901.—Lieutenant M G (or J) Foxcroft, Company Sergeant Major Johnston promoted 2nd Lieutenant, Lance Corporal A J Shout promoted Sergeant
8th July 1901.—Corporal J Stevens, promoted Sergeant, in Cape Colony, April 23rd, held a kraal alone and covered retirement of party; in every engagement has behaved most gallantly.

Does anyone have any context/newspaper reports about this?

Regards

Rory

Hi Rory

I see that he is also mentioned on the Campaign Medal and Award Roll (WO100/264) for the Queenstown Rifle Volunteers with a Reg. No. of 26452. It appears that he is crossed off this Roll and refers him back to the Roll for Border Horse.



It appears that a place named 'Gelegenfontein' with a Boer War reference is quite hard to come by. This is the closest so far which was reported near the date that you are chasing in a period paper dated 30th April 1901, seven days after the event that you have described. I'll keep looking, hoping that the news article is on the right track.

Trev

Thank you Trevor - there are several references to Gelegenfontein in the British Newspaper Archives but none around the date that concerns us. Interestingly (confusingly), some reports refer to the Orange Free State and others to the Cape Colony. Because my guy only has the CC clasp I'm going with the latter!

Hi Rory,
Glad that you were able to follow up with more information that sounds as though that you are on the right track. I had no other luck in finding something that could assist you further.

Trev