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There is a detailed background and information here: www.angloboerwar.com/forum/13-miscellany...yclist-company#73854


Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (4) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (7508 Corpl: J. Stage. Scottish C.C.)

CC and OFS on WO100/268p238. SA01 and SA02 on WO100/269p250.

Approximately 141 medals awarded to the Scottish Cyclist Company.

9082 PRIVATE ROBERT WISHART NELSON

Another QSA to a Scotsman, but not a Lovat's Scout this time! But to a very much Scottish raised outfit.

Robert Wishart Nelson was born in Arbroath, Forfarshire, Angus, Scotland on 28th September 1880 to parents David Nelson (aged 22) who was a Bleachfield Worker (someone who works in an open area used for spreading cloth on the ground to be puffed and whitened by the action of sunlight, just in case you wondered!), and Williamina Nelson, aged 22.
Robert was the firstborn of the family, who were residing at 29 Lady Loan, Arbroath, Forfarshire in 1881.

The Census of 1891 finds the Nelson family now at 5 Kinnaird Street, St. Vegans, Arbroath. Robert now 10 was joined by a 3 year old sister Lizzie to look out for.

In 1901 the family membership remained the same but had relocated to 3 St. Mary Street, St. Vegans. Father David was now described as a Yarn Worker (aka Whitster) , no doubt the same job, but perhaps retitled!
Robert was now a full grown man of 20 years of age and had become a Joiner by profession under an apprenticeship.
A newspaper article appeared in the "Dundee Courier", dated Tuesday, November 30th 1897, describes a painful mishap suffered by Robert as follows:

" ACCIDENT.-Yesterday, while Robert Nelson, apprentice joiner, St. Mary Street, was working at a planing machine in the of Mr. Alex Scott, joiner, he allowed his right hand to be caught in the machine, with the result that part of the palm of the hand was lacerated and part of the small finger was taken off. He was afterwards seen by Dr. Dewar, who dressed his injuries."

The "Dundee Advertiser" also reported the incident, but rather more briefly, so I will not repeat here.

Moving on to the Anglo Boer War which erupted in October 1899, the war was far from over when the set piece, conventional phase ended with the signing of a Peace Treaty in June 1900 at Pretoria. Indeed, the Boers merely changed tactics and began a period of guerilla warfare, of which they were the masters of their craft, in order to prolong the conflict using hit and run attacks and a high degree of manoeuvrability to outwit and outrun the imperial forces. Rather like the sweet science of boxing, to hit without being hit using their Kommando fighting techniques.
Inevitably, the imperial forces required a steady flow of new recruits as time expired men returned home from South Africa, and the losses due to battle and sickness took their toll.
On 3rd 1901 March, the call went out to raise 8 volunteer cyclist companies for service in South Africa. Scotland was to provide a single company which became known as the Scottish Cyclist Company, and consisted of 1 captain, 4 subalterns, 1 sergeant- instructor as pay sergeant, 4 sergeants, 2 buglers, 5 corporals, 101 privates, and 2 stretcher bearers, or 120 of all ranks. Recruitment took place all over Scotland, and was completed by May.

On 27th March Robert answered the call of King, country and empire by attesting to the Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) at Dundee in order to set forth on his military career by volunteering to go to South Africa to join the continuing fight against the Boers.
Robert may well have wished to volunteer his services before this date, but would have been unable to do so as he had signed papers to complete his apprenticeship. His attestation declaration clearly states that he had indeed completed his apprenticeship, and so was free to join up.
As part of the Black Watch he was to be one of the men to make up the cyclist company.

His vital statistics at attestation were:

Height:5'5 1/2".
Weight: 110lbs.
Chest: 33"-34 1/4".
Complexion: sallow.
Eyes: brown.
Hair: brown.
Religious denomination: Presbyterian.
Distinctive marks: loss of tip of little finger.

His next of kin was his father David Nelson, 3 St. Mary Street, Arbroath.

On May 2nd, the recruits were gathered at Berwick - on- Tweed, and departed for the seat of war in mid-May.
On arrival in South Africa Robert would have received his bicycle and would have been involved in despatch riding and scouting among other duties. Despite the machines not being ideally suited to the sandy, rocky terrain of the country they were of some good use as there was always a desperate shortage of healthy horses for combat and patrol work. The latter operations would always have priority for the best available mounts, so there was a niche in which the cyclists were able to offer good service in localised areas where their two-wheelef boneshakers could be ridden and used effectively.


A typical bicycle in service in South Africa produced by the BSA Company, Birmingham, England.




A group of cyclists from the Anglo Boer War ( I do not know from which cyclist company these fellows represent, but shown here for the reader's interest).


Robert appears to have avoided any serious mishap during his service with the Scottish Cyclist Company in South Africa. Indeed, the unit had few casualties during the conflict:

7502 Private J. Brand: died of disease Kroonstad 04/04/1902.
7527 Private J. Corstorphine: died of disease Winburg 29/12/1901.
8090 Private G. Gordon: died of disease Norval' s Pony 23/08/1901.
943 Sergeant D. Sean: died of disease Bethlehem 10/02/1902.
8088 Private W. Thompson: died of disease Kroonstad 26/03/1902.

At the end of hostilities, the Scottish Cyclist Company returned to Scotland and Robert Wishart Nelson was discharged on 8th July 1902 after serving 1 year and 103 days with the colours.


Queen's South Africa medal awarded to 9802 Private R. W. Nelson bearing clasps Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902 all entitlement confirmed on the Medal Roll WO100/268.


Number, rank and naming officially impressed to the rim.



Regimental naming to the rim.


As a volunteer who hailed from the region of Angus in Scotland , Robert has an entry number 194 in the "Muster Roll of Angus" published shortly after the war.


And here is his portrait from the same publication.

AFTER THE WAR
Having tasted travel and adventure, Robert followed in the steps of many a Scotsman and emigrated to the U,S.A. along with his Scottish wife Christiana in 1906. The I.S. Census tells us that the married couple were living at Brooklyn Township, Oakland City Precinct, Alameda, California where they rented a property. Their ethnicity was stated as "American", so I assume that they wasted no time in taking American citizenship. There were no children of the union recorded.

As a citizen of the United States, Robert had to complete a Draft Registration Card when America entered the First World War on the allied side in 1917. As fast as I am aware, Robert was not called upon to serve his adopted country.


As mentioned in another thread by Berenice, the volunteers from Arbroath were granted the Freedom of the Burgh of Arbroath. Robert's name is mentioned in an article published in "The Arbroath Guide," Saturday, October 26th, 1926: "Private Robert W. Nelson, of the 3rd Volunteer Service Company of the Black Watch, Royal Highlanders who served in South Africa with Scottish Volunteer Cyclist Service Company."

Robert and Christiana continued to enjoy life in sunny California, but had occasion to return to their native Arbroath for a very auspicious anniversary:

"Golden Wedding -Mr and Mrs David Nelson, 3 St. Mary Street, celebrate their golden wedding next week. Mr. Nelson, who is 71 years of age, is a native of Arbroath, and has been employed as a Bleacher at Wardmill Bleachfield for the long period of 58 years. Despite his years, he is still in employment. Mrs. Nelson, who is also 71 years of age, also belongs to Arbroath, and her maiden name is Williamina Duguid. The happy couple were married by the lateRe. J. Robertson, minister of the then East Free, now St. Ninian' s Church, on 31st December, 1879. There was a family of four by the marriage, but only one now survives. He is Robert W. Nelson who has come home for the occasion from the United States. He comes from Bakersfield, California, and is P. M. of Lodge Caledonian of that town. The celebrations are to take place on Thursday first."

Taken from "Arbroath Herald," 27th December 1929.

ARBROATH GOLDEN WEDDING
GIFTS PRESENTED AT SOCIAL FUNCTION.
Mr and Mrs David Nelson, 3 1/2 St. Mary Street, Arbroath, celebrated their golden wedding last night at a gathering in the Central Dining Rooms.
A company of about 50 was presided over by Robert W. Nelson, son, who came from the United States, in company with his wife, in order to be present on the auspicious occasion.
Among those present were Rev George Hitchcock, minister of Inverbrothock Church, of which Mr and Mrs Nelson are members, and Mrs Hitchcock.
In the course of the evening the happy couple were made the recipients of numerous gifts, and many telegrams of congratulations were read
After an excellent dinner, a musical programme was sustained by various members of the company, and dancing was engaged in to music supplied by Messrs McGregor and Cruden, all the dances being of the old-fashioned variety."

Taken from "The Dundee Courier and Advertiser," Friday, January 3, 1930.

After the celebrations, Robert and Christiana appear to have stayed on in Arbroath for a little while, possibly taking the opportunity to spend time with family and old friends.
They set sail back home to the U. S. A aboard the "Andania, " of the Cunard Line on 15 th February 1930 from Greenock to New York.


The next US Census in 1940, records Robert now aged 59, and Christiana 57, residing at Bakersfield, County Kern, California.


At the age of 61, Robert was again required to complete a Draft Registration Card in 1942 after the United States entered the Second World War against the Axis Powers following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour on December 7th 1941.
I have no record of him having been called upon to serve with the armed forces. Presumably, if he had, it would have been in a civil home defence role.

The trail of Robert's back story now runs cold. I would assume that he would have spent his final days in California and rests their with his wife Christiana.
Perhaps some more information will turn up in the future.

A nice biography to share here of a Scotsman who served with an interesting outfit.

An excellent post, Steve. Many thanks.