TOPIC:

My grandfather born 1857 in Barking, Essex was in the British Army, was he in one of the Boer Wars as he would have been too old for WW1? We have a photo of him in army uniform with one medal attached. There were two Boer wars in South Africa, how can I trace his involvement if any?

Hi keni010,

And welcome to the forum.
Can you give us the name of your Grandfather and possibly his service number?

Paul

Yes and thanks a lot. His name was Richard Samuel Snell born Barking, Essex Feb. 3rd 1857, died Jan. 3rd 1945 in Billericay, Essex. I have a service number here but not sure it is correct so please treat accordingly, it is 190862. Thanks a lot, Keni

picture of Richard Samuel Snell in uniform, it may help??

Hi Keni,

The only records I could find for military service was for WW1 with that service number
First name(s) Richard S
Last name Snell
Service number 190862
Rank Private
Corps Labour Corps
Service record Soldier Number: 190862, Rank: Private, Corps: Labour Corps
Archive reference WO372/18

Paul

keni010 wrote: Yes and thanks a lot. His name was Richard Samuel Snell born Barking, Essex Feb. 3rd 1857, died Jan. 3rd 1945 in Billericay, Essex. I have a service number here but not sure it is correct so please treat accordingly, it is 190862. Thanks a lot, Keni

Many thanks for that, surely he'd have been too old as in 1914 he was 57 years of age! Would it be possible to fight in the army at that age? Did the home guard exist and did they have army uniform then? I must have got that number (some years ago) from another R S Snell I suppose. Is there a way of finding his record in one of the Boer wars? Are there any clues with the uniform? Thanks for your help, Keni