TOPIC:

An application was made in the Lancashire Court of Chancery yesterday regarding the mysterious disappearance of a Yeomanry lieutenant. The trustees of the will of Josephine Helen Silkenstadt, a Manchester lady, asked direction as to the disposal of £5,000 which testatrix had left to William M. C. Bagshawe, who was a lieutenant in the Derbyshire Regiment Imperial Yeomanry.
Bagshawe took part in the Boer War, and whilst on duty was thrown from his horse and sustained concussion of the brain. Being ordered home, he sailed for England in May, 1901.
On the 19th of that month, the vessel called at a port in Madagascar, and on that day Bagshaw went ashore with a party, including two Canadian ladies, with whom he arranged to go ashore again the next day. Early on the following morning he was seen on the deck of the vessel, after which he disappeared and was not seen further.
The Court was asked to assume that he fell overboard and was drowned, and therefore predeceased testatrix, the result of which finding would be to release the special bequest and enable the trustees to deal with it. The Vice-Chancellor authorised the trustees to divide the £5,000, on the assumption that Lieutenant Bagshawe died on May 20, 1901.
Evening Express, Tuesday 28th November 1905

The two Canadian ladies are germane to the story, I wonder?

You mean...was he pushed?

Actually, I wonder if they could have been nurses, returning to Canada from the war.

Real Miss Marple story!

He was attached to the Remount Dept at Stellenbosch. The ship seems to take the long way home via Madagascar?

As I read it the ship was still in port the day he was last seen - perhaps "disposed" of ashore?

William Bagshawe's full name was William Murray Caldwell Greaves Bagshawe. www.lan-opc.org.uk/Manchester/Rusholme/s...s_1837-1896indx.html

An interesting piece on the Marie Louise Gardens, in West Didsbury, Greater Manchester, which are in remembrance of William Bagshawe's wife. www.marielouisegardens.org.uk/history.html

(The press report spelt his name incorrectly, and I've edited my original post)

Hello everyone,
I recently acquired Bagshawe's QSA and have been researching him. So far, I have not been able to find his Attestation Form or Service Record. If anyone can help me locate them, I would be most grateful. I'm also trying to find a photo of the gentleman, but there doesn't seem to be one online; again, any help would be most welcome and appreciated.
Thank you very much in advance,
John