TOPIC:

Good morning. I am a novice genealogist and am searching for family details of my paternal grandfather - William Davies Evans. He was born in Montgomery Wales on 16 October 1872. I would appreciate any info on his parents, himself and did he have any siblings as well as any service record details.
William Davies Evans married Alice Ellen Perry in South Africa in Port Elizabeth on 20 January 1904.
William Davies Evans joined the SA Exped Forces on 2 Sept 1915 in Potchefstroom having served previously served for 8 years with the 11th Hussars and the 6th Dragoon Guards for 5 and a half years - some of this time presumably spent in SA fighting the boers.
Any info on his service record during the Boer War and WWI would be greatly appreciated.
His age on the Attestation is stated as 37 but if he was born in 1872 then his correct age should have been 43 ??? Thanks so much. Patty Pedlar

Patty
I had a look on my CD QSA medal roll to Cavalry and I found as follows:
"3333 Pte. EVANS W", served in 6DG and also in 2nd remount depot; plus service in 11H. QSA with clasps Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Belfast. From your 23546 post, it sounds like your pGF.
Others on the site may be able to delve deeper for you and give you tips. You may have to do research at the UN National Archives.
Re SA archives for WW1, I don't know how to access them. Sorry.
Regards
IL.

He served in the 11th Hussars and was attached to the 6th Dragoon Guards in South Africa during the Anglo Boer War from the 25th of February 1900 until the 27th of June 1902, but, I'm a little confused, you said you have his papers, they are very clear indeed, is it just a transcription you require or was there something in particular that you don't understand?
With regard to his parentage in Great Britain you simply start with his birth and work your way back into time using the RG series at Kew and on line.

Patty Pedlar wrote: Good morning. I am a novice genealogist and am searching for family details of my paternal grandfather - William Davies Evans. He was born in Montgomery Wales on 16 October 1872. I would appreciate any info on his parents, himself and did he have any siblings as well as any service record details.
William Davies Evans married Alice Ellen Perry in South Africa in Port Elizabeth on 20 January 1904.
William Davies Evans joined the SA Exped Forces on 2 Sept 1915 in Potchefstroom having served previously served for 8 years with the 11th Hussars and the 6th Dragoon Guards for 5 and a half years - some of this time presumably spent in SA fighting the boers.
Any info on his service record during the Boer War and WWI would be greatly appreciated.
His age on the Attestation is stated as 37 but if he was born in 1872 then his correct age should have been 43 ??? Thanks so much. Patty Pedlar

Thank you both for your prompt answers - what exactly is QSA ? would every soldier serving in South Africa have received such a medal ? - and do you think he would have been discharged in South Africa or would he have had to return to UK with his unit and then return later to South Africa. I did warn you I was a novice
I hope one day to visit UK and will plan a visit to Kew to do some research.
I will keep delving but if anyone else can add info that would be great.

Hi Patty,
And a warm welcome to the forum.
The link below should explain your question about the QSA

www.angloboerwar.com/medals-and-awards/b...s-south-africa-medal

Regards
Paul

Hello Patty,
Evans, an 18 year old grocer, joined the 11th Hussars on the 28th of June 1889 at Birmingham and after service in South Africa and India, he transferred to the Army Reserve on the 17th of February 1897.
Like so many, he was recalled to the colours for the Anglo Boer War on the 20th of December 1899, he was posted on the 18th of January 1900 and served in South Africa with the 6th Dragoon Guards, he was discharged from the Army on the 27th of June 1902.

His father was George Evans, his mother, Ann Evans, he certainly appears to have been born in Forden Montgomeryshire and was baptised on the 1st of December 1872.

Interestingly his service in the Great War was with the 1st South African Infantry in France, in addition to his papers in WO374 he also has an entry in WO372 here, 1st SAI were part of the famous SA Brigade and had fought the vicious and very bloody defence of Delville Wood just a few weeks before he was wounded, his medal cards will be available to you in Pretoria along with his original attestation and casualty card etc, whilst there is a small copy of a medical report here in Great Britain, I would fully expect a far more complete file is extant in Pretoria.
Anyway, I wish you bon chance with your research,
Regards Frank Kelley

Patty Pedlar wrote: Thank you both for your prompt answers - what exactly is QSA ? would every soldier serving in South Africa have received such a medal ? - and do you think he would have been discharged in South Africa or would he have had to return to UK with his unit and then return later to South Africa. I did warn you I was a novice
I hope one day to visit UK and will plan a visit to Kew to do some research.
I will keep delving but if anyone else can add info that would be great.