TOPIC:

I have only just found this amazing site in my research endeavours to trace my Great Uncle Thomas Edward Overend and his involvement in the Boer War.

I am aware that Thomas Overend served twice in South Africa, with a NSW Horse Contingent and an Australian Horse contingent however I am trying to verify that he and perhaps two of his brothers, William & John and several other friends also returned to South Africa and served with the "Capetown Police". There is an article in their home town (Bungendore NSW) newspaper dated June 1901 advising those facts and that they were leaving the following week and that they had to return to Australia to obtain their discharge from the Australian Army in order to enlist in South Africa.

I have been unable to find any confirmation that Thomas or his brothers (who had not previously served) actually served with the "Capetown Police", although brother William who enlisted in WW1 was a patient in the 1950's in Western Australia Returned Soldiers facility, and listed as a Boer War Veteran.

Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.

gk620

Hello
I found "804 Tpr. Thomas Edward Overend" on the roll of the 1st Australian Horse (clasps CC/Dreif/Tvaal) but there is no marginal note about any subsequent service. A quick check of the NSW Aust. Comm.Horse rolls did not reveal an entry.
IL.

Hi there,

TE Overend is mentioned in 'Oz Boer War Database' on the net and in 'Soldiers of the Queen'. A William Overend is also mentioned in both but without anything on unit/s he served with.

Many men took the option to discharge in South Africa in order to join other units so I would wonder if he returned to Australia to discharge and then pay his own way back to South Africa. I base this on my research into Queenslanders but there may have been different 'rules' for hose from NSW.

All the best with your research.

Jim

Thanks Jim,

Not sure why T.E. Overend returned to Australia the only clue I have is the local newspaper report which states that they returned in order to be discharged and that about 20 or so local lads were
all returning to South Africa to joint the Cape Town Police. ?. Thomas' brother William is also listed on a local (Bungendore) Boer War Honour Roll even though he never served with any Australian
Unit. I wonder if service with any Colonial Force was if fact recognised by other Commonwealth Countries. The other "missing" brother John Overend is a complete mystery and is not mentioned in any
source that I have come across. Have you ever come across a South African database for their irregular units in the Boer War. ?

Thanks for your response....

GK620