TOPIC:

Hi,

I've recently discovered that I had a relative who served in the Boer conflict, he would have been my great-great uncle on my mothers side. I didn't know he existed but through further research it seems he served quite a lengthy time in the military, his time in the Boer war was spent in the Lancashire Fusiliers and I've since found him listed as one of the many who fought at the famous battle of Spion Kop and was one for the luck one to service.

His details are below:

Name: Edwin Onions or O'nions
Born: Wigan 1881
Private 6305, 5th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers issued with the Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps Cape Colony and Orange Free State.
According to the medal roll indexed he was also entitled to the clasps South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902.

Is there a chance, albeit slim of finding his war medals from the Boer war and is so does anyone have experience of tracing medals? Do most dealers advertise online or privately?

The end of Edwin's story is sadly in March 1917 when he died serving with the Loyal North Lancashire regiment aged 36 and sadly his story or even his existence hasn't been passed down through the family.

Dan

Hello Dan

I'm afraid E Onions was not at Spion Kop - this man served in the 5th bn. The 2nd bn was in action at Spion Kop and those who served in this battle were awarded the clasp "Relief of Ladysmith", which Edwin did not get.

I would be interested in the list you mention naming soldiers who served at Spion Kop.

This thread you started on his WW1 service is very interesting.

A sad tale.

Good luck in your search for his medals - try Medal Tracker run by Medal News, and make a posting on the British Medal Forum - bmf.com.

Regards
Meurig

Me again

I was just looking the service papers on Ancestry (none on FindmyPast).

There is a set for an Edwin Onions, born in Wigan, age 30 on enlistment in 1914 (year of birth 1884) - previous service Lancashire Fusiliers (no dates given). Next of kin shown as sister Mary Cooper of Bedfordshire. This soldier served 37 days King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regt) number 1792.

My questions are could this be the Anglo-Boer War soldier discussed above - Pte 6305 5th bn Lancashire Fusiliers? Is this your gg Uncle?

Are the different birth dates - 1881/1884, the result of being "being economic with the truth"?

Regards
Meurig