TOPIC:

Edward was born 16.8.1857 Wellington, Shrop UK. He migrated to Australia in 1885. He ran a business of Baker/Pastrycook/Confectioner in Sydney and he and his wife had 5 children. According to a newspaper notice his wife placed seeking his whereabouts, Edward apparently left Australia on board "Southern Cross" in 1900 "in the Second Contingent" serving as a Cook. He wrote to her once enclosing a photo of him in front of a tent alongside some soldiers. However I can't find Edward on any nominal rolls.
He stayed in Sth Africa and married a local girl. Banns was read in St Mary's Johannesburg. Some years later (1908) his Australian wife divorced him. Edward apparently ran a bakery in later years at Koffiefontein and his wife ran a small farm nearby. They had 4 children.
I am wondering if anyone has this name on any lists they have access to.
He died 30 May 1918 Roodiam, Fauresmith OFS.
Thankyou, in advance.
Liz

Liz
The Second New South Wales contingent (of the 1st NSW Mounted Rifles) left Sydney for South Africa on the transport "Southern Cross" on 17011900. I have checked the unit roll in Murray's Official Records and - as you say - there is no entry for Edward Henry SIMMONDS. Of course, he could have enlisted under another name.
One of those mysteries.
IL.

Liz,

I have found the following entries in the Free State Archives which pertain to Edward Henry Simmonds.

As they are in the Free State I have no access to them however, I do have a contact there and his details if you were interested to have these files copied.

Death Notice in Afrikaans


DEPOT VAB
SOURCE MHG
TYPE LEER
VOLUME_NO 0
SYSTEM 01
REFERENCE S4088
PART 1
DESCRIPTION SIMMONDS, EDWARD HENRY. EGGENOTE: JOHANNA MARIA (GEBORE HAMMER).
STARTING 19180000
ENDING 19180000


Special Marriage Application


DEPOT VAB
SOURCE CO
TYPE LEER
VOLUME_NO 179
SYSTEM 01
REFERENCE 4105/03
PART 1
DESCRIPTION E SIMMONDS - JM HAMMER: APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL MARRIAGE LICENCE.
STARTING 19030000
ENDING 19030000



Note slightly different dates of birth and death on head stone to those which you supplied.





Regards
Adrian

Thankyou very much Adrian. I am not sure which dates are correct at this stage. I am interested in having his name included in the OzBoer database, if he did indeed serve with forces during the Boer War. He is my sister-in-law's gt gr'father (via one of the Australian children) and I am trying to help her find out more about him. Liz

Thanks for looking that up. Yes an assumed name is a possibility. He married in Sth Africa in 1903 but wasn't divorced from his first wife in Australia until she petitioned for it in 1908. Would Kitchen staff/Cooks have been listed in the nominal rolls? Thanks.. Liz

Liz
The roll for the second contingent of 1NSWMR does show a dismounted establishment of - amongst others - two cooks. However, none of the rank-and-file are listed as such.
Hope your search works out.
Regards
IL.