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What first struck me when I was offered this group was the sheer amount of ephemera that accompanied it - from a silver salver from his comrades on his retirement to original testimonials and even his Farrier Sergeant's stripes - it was all there. Almost too much if there is such such a thing. We, as collectors, can be very grateful that families have kept this sort of treasure trove together for so long and in such good condition. Ours is now the duty to carry it forward and hand it over, intact, to those who collect after we are gone.

John Clarence Bailey

Private, 1st Class, Cape Mounted Riflemen – Anglo Boer War
Farrier Sergeant, 1st South African Infantry and 3rd South African Mounted Rifles – WWI

- Queens South Africa Medal (CC/South Africa 1901/02) to 3590 PTE J.C. BAILEY. CAPE M.R.
- 1914/15 Star to SJT J.C. BAILEY, 3RD. S.A.M.R.
- British War Medal to SJT J.C. BAILEY. 1ST S.A.I.
- Victory Medal to SJT J.C. BAILEY. 3RD. S.A.M.R.
- Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas Long Service and Good Conduct Medal to No. 188 FR. SGT. J.C. BAILEY. S.A.MTD. RIFLEMEN

John Bailey was born in Netley, Hampshire on 7 June 1880. His father, John Bailey, was a Sergeant in the Royal Marines, based at Southampton, whilst his mother was Catherine, born Holmes. She had been a Domestic Servant at the time of their marriage in Middlesex on 21 September 1878.

According to the 1881 England census, the Bailey family were living at 2 Victoria Terrace, Netley. Sergeant Bailey was away at the time, leaving his wife and 9 month old John to man the fort.


Bailey at the time he enlisted.

The situation ten years later looked very different. Sergeant Bailey had died and his young wife, with baby John to support, had remarried – this marriage was to a Charles Scrimgeour, a Steward in the Soldier’s Canteen at Fort Elson, Gosport. The couple had wasted no time in adding additional children to the family with Jessie (8 and born in Portsmouth); Maggie (3 and born in Gosport) and Annie (1) joining the ranks. All were siblings to a 10 year old John who had, according to the census return, taken the surname of Scrimgeour. The family lived in the married quarters on the base.


Testimonial from Employers

Bailey, his rudimentary schooling at an end, took up the trade of Blacksmith, serving his apprenticeship with J. Burt – Marshall in Luncarty Bleachfield near Perth in Scotland. A Memorandum, signed by W. Farquhar, Engineer, on 28 April 1898 reading that “This is to certify that the Bearer, John Bailey, has served his apprenticeship here as a Blacksmith. He is a steady, civil, obliging lad, and he leaves here of his own accord and in the best of terms.”

But how came it to pass that John Bailey was in Scotland, far removed from his normal surroundings? The answer is apparent in the 1901 census which revealed that Charles Scrimgeour had left the army and had taken his wife and children to Scotland where he had obtained employment as a Caretaker in the Crescent Street Boys & Girls Public School, Dundee.

Returning to London, Bailey took up employment with C.W. Trotman’s Steam & Range Boiler Works at 60 Long Lane, Bermondsey. On 13 December 1900 Mr. Charles Trotman provided him with the following testimonial, “Above has been in our employ for about twelve months as a General Smith, we have always found him to be a steady, sober and industrious man.”


Testimonial from Trotman

Perhaps Bailey had resigned to move to a warmer climate, free from the fetters and foibles of family. Whatever the reason behind it, John Bailey (henceforth he used his given surname), headed for South Africa where the Anglo Boer War between the Boer Republics of the Orange Free State and Transvaal had been embroiled in a war with Great Britian since October 1899.

As he sailed for South Africa, Bailey would have been aware of this, as well as the fact that the war did not show any signs of abating, despite the loss of the two Boer capitals in 1900.

Destined for the Cape Mounted Riflemen, he attested for service with them on 16 January 1901. Attached to the Headquarters in King Williams Town, he was assigned no. 3590 and the rank of 2nd Class Private. Aged 20 he was a Blacksmith by trade and was 5 feet 9 ½ inches in height with brown eyes, black hair and a dark complexion.


Bailey as a Farrier/Blacksmith (B10)

The C.M.R. had an illustrious history but we will confine ourselves to their role in the Boer War. What follows is an account of their movements and actions from the time Bailey joined their ranks until the conclusion of hostilities on 31 May 1902. Unfortunately, because no accurate records were kept, it is impossible to say if Bailey was in all of the actions described. What is known from his Statement of Service is that he joined the field “three months after my arrival in operations in the Cape Colony under General Lukin.”

What follows below is for information purposes only and comes from John Sterling’s Colonials in South Africa 1899 – 1902.
Stories of ammunition about to be landed at Lambert's Bay, and the very apparent resolution of commandos to push into the extreme south-west of Cape Colony, caused Lord Kitchener to send various columns to that district, among whom went the CMR. Some fighting was seen, and on 1st March 1901 Captain J F Purcell of the CMR, and Lieutenant Grant of Brabant's Horse, were mentioned for coolness and skill displayed in handling their men in action near Lambert's Bay. In April a portion of the CMR were engaged near Philippolis, when Lieutenant D A H Bowers gained mention for presence of mind and boldness in carrying out the relief of some troops who were hard pressed.

The next notice of the work of the corps to be found in despatches is in the despatch of 8th July 1901, where it is stated that on 20th May Lieutenant Colonel Scobell, whose column consisted of one squadron 9th Lancers, 200 men of the CMR, and 3 guns belonging to the corps, surprised Malan's commando west of Cradock, killing 4 men and capturing 40 horses and many saddles and rifles. Scobell and other leaders now went in pursuit of some commandos in the Zuurberg, but although some losses were inflicted the main bodies generally escaped, sometimes to do damage, as when on 2nd June they captured Jamestown after a defence by the Town Guard which was the reverse of heroic. "On the 6th of June Colonel Scobell's column caught a commando asleep at 3 AM. Lieutenant Colonel Lukin with a squadron of CMR rushed the laager in the dark, killing 6 Boers and capturing 25 prisoners and all the saddles of the commando". Lieutenant Colonel Lukin was mentioned for his gallant leading.

The despatch of 8th August 1901 detailed another success by Scobell. The columns had been driving the enemy north of Richmond, and his force surprised Lategan's laager, taking 10 prisoners and 105 horses and saddles. On the 22nd July at Tweefontein the Rifles had about 6 wounded, and on 8th August Captain J F Purcell was wounded. In his next despatch of 8th September Lord Kitchener again expressed himself as greatly pleased with the column. "On 5th September Lieutenant Colonel Scobell was able to achieve a brilliant success near Petersburg, 40 miles west of Cradock, where he surrounded and captured the whole of Lotter's commando and a party of Boers under Breedt. 14 of the enemy were killed and 105 captured (46 of whom were wounded). The prisoners included Commandant Lotter and Field-Cornets J Kruger, W Kruger, and Schoeman, and amongst the dead were two notorious rebels named Vorster. 200 horses and 29,000 rounds of ammunition and all the vehicles and supplies of the enemy fell into our hands. Colonel Scobell, who deserves the greatest credit in connection with this affair, had brought to my notice the exceptional gallantry displayed during the engagement by Captain Lord Douglas Compton, 2nd Lieutenants Wynn and Neilson, all of the 9th Lancers, and Captain Purcell and Lieutenant Bowers, Cape Mounted Rifles. Our casualties were ten men killed and 8 wounded, the latter including Lieutenant Burgess, Cape Mounted Rifles". The Rifles had 2 men killed and 3 wounded.

In September and ensuing months the pursuit of small bodies of the enemy was carried on with untiring energy, and Lord Kitchener praised Colonel Scobell's column along with three others for responding cheerfully to every call. In the despatch of 8th November it is stated that Lieutenant Colonel Lukin surprised a laager six miles south-west of New Bethesda at dawn on 21st October, killing 1 and taking 14 prisoners.

Down to the close of the campaign the CMR continued to operate in Cape Colony, for a time in the extreme west, always doing conscientious work of the highest order. No corps, whether regular or volunteer, could point to a better record.


Bailey shoeing a donkey (B15)

As has been seen, Bailey was a Blacksmith by trade and it was in this role that he served throughout the Boer War. The war over, he was awarded the Queens Medal with Cape Colony clasp and the two date clasps for 1901 and 1902. Continuing on in the service of the C.M.R., he applied himself to the trade of Farrier, something he took to with consummate ease. Based at Umtata in the Transkei, he passed the Farrier’s Examination on 22 May 1905 and at Potchefstroom on 1 November 1910, he passed the Course of Instruction for the Army Veterinary Corps.

1910 saw the amalgamation of the four colonies in South Africa – the Orange Free State, Transvaal, Natal and the Cape Colony – into the Union of South Africa. For the first time those who had previously been at loggerheads with one another were united under one umbrella. A few years later, in 1913, the amalgamation of the various police forces and active citizen force units took place. The C.M.R. and South African Constabulary, among others, were combined into several regiments of what became known as the Permanent Force – the South African Mounted Rifles.

Bailey was mustered into the 3rd regiment of this outfit and transferred from Bizana in the Transkei to Bloemfontein where he was attached as a Farrier Corporal to the South African Military School there. He had scarcely arrived in the city when, on 4 August 1914 the world found itself at war. Automatically, the S.A.M.R., as the official military arm in South Africa, was called upon. Initially their task was an unenviable one – to quell an internal rebellion instigated by Boers (although they were no longer called that) in parts of the Orange Free State and Transvaal whose memories of British Concentration Camps and alleged atrocities 12 years earlier were still fresh.


Bailey as a Farrier Sergeant – S.A.M.R. (B1)

Prime Minister Louis Botha and his Defence Minister, Jan Smuts – both familiar names from the Boer War – acted swiftly and, with the help of militia units from Natal and elsewhere, the S.A.M.R. was able to squash the rebellion, thereby freeing up the passage of troops into German South West Africa where they were tasked with ridding the territory of its German rulers.

Promoted to the rank of Farrier Sergeant, Bailey entered the occupied territory on 1 January 1915 and saw action there until the end of the campaign, which came with the German surrender at Otavi on 9 July 1915. Thereafter he was repatriated home and resumed his duties. But he was made of sterner stuff and, having sought permission from the S.A.M.R. to apply for overseas service, embarked at Cape Town on 17 July 1918 aboard the ill-fated S.S. Galway Castle for England. Aged 38 he supplied his mother’s details (Catherine Scrimgeour) as next of kin c/o Miss J. Holmes, 6 Peasland Road, Sidmouth, Devon.

Disembarking in England on 17 August 1918, he was only sent across the channel to France on 15 November 1918 – four days after the last shot was fired in anger. But what was the reason why he didn’t reach the Western Front before wars end? The answer lies in his marriage certificate – in the Parish of the Ascencion, Balham Hill on 17 September 1918, he wed Louise Ellen Southernwood, the 31 year old School Teacher daughter of Edward Southernwood, a Butler.


Bailey in 1st S.A.I. uniform

In late 1919 Bailey was repatriated to South Africa, along with his new bride, sailing for Cape Town aboard the S.S. Grantully Castle. He was discharged as a Private, No. 22027, at Maitland on 11 November 1919 – exactly a year after the war ended – and was destined for Pretoria to rejoin his S.A.M.R. regiment. His conduct was rated as Very Good and he was credited with service of 1 year 143 days, in addition to the 6 months in German South West Africa. For his efforts he was awarded the standard trio of medals for WWI service.

Back in South Africa he was transferred to Cape Town where he was assigned to the Garrison Artillery but it wasn’t long before, on account of ill-health, he applied for retirement. In February 1920 his application was forwarded for the award of the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. The request was acceded to and the medal sent to Cape Town for handing over to him on a suitable occasion.


Discharge Certificate (B14)

Bailey’s final discharge came on 15 April 1922 at Cape Town. He had served for 21 years and was now 41 years and 10 months old. After his passport had been issued on 15 March 1922, he returned to England with his family, having made arrangements for his pension to be paid monthly from there.

He passed away at 1 Eaton Terrace, Temple Street, Sidmouth, Devon on 25 January 1934 at the age of 54, bequeathing the amount of £1684 to his wife.

Acknowledgements:
- SANDF Archives for Long Service Medal application/WWI attestation forms and SAMR Personnel file
- Ancestry.com for Census and probate data
-John Sterling's Colonial's in South Africa 1899-1902

Here is some more of the ephemera that came with Bailey's group - truly mindboggling.


About to shoe a mount


The certificate for the award of the 1914/15 Star - these are mostly destroyed and seldom found with the medals


With a group of comrades - date and place unknown


From his passport dated March 1922


Farrier Sergeant's stripes


The salver presented to him on his retirement


Some of the material that came with the group - I haven't been able to scan the large group photograph as yet


Some of the photographs and material that accompanied the group

Thanks Rory.......

Great collection, I love it when there are extras, they bring the man to life...... Just rec'd a number of photos to a Strathcona for the 1939 Royal Visit to Calgary, not a BW man but still a great unit.....

Baily had a great career which you have brought him to life..... Thanks......

Mike

Great to hear from you Mike - I have dropped you an e-mail

Best

Rory

Hi Rory
A great collection, such variety and interest. Such a pity it is not still with the family, but at least in good hands.
Clive