TOPIC:

Harold Boniface, an Australian citizen born in Emerald, Victoria, Australia on 22 Jan 1879 served in the Boer War (1899-1902).
4163 Tpr Boniface served in the 1st and 2nd Brabants Horse Regiments and Western Light Horse(Reg No 187). He was wounded at Fouchers Farm on 24 April 1900
He discharged in Kimberley in June 1902. He was awarded both the QSA and KSA. medals as listed in WO 100/237 ( 16/04/1902) and WO 100/367 (04/05/1904).
He corresponded with his mother and father when he was in South Africa. However he never returned home to Melbourne after his discharge. No trace has been found of his whereabouts post the Boer War - family members have been searching for information for years. He is my late great uncle and brother of the late Rupert Boniface ( who was my grandfather and my late mother's father).
I have his enlistment and service documents obtained from National Archives in England.
Question. - is there means of finding out if he was sent his medals and to what address?
All relevant databases in England and Australia have been accessed regarding births deaths and marriages and electoral enrollment seeking more information.
Do you have any advice regarding where to search other avenues.
kind regards
Graeme Kinnear
+61401 203 782
email: [email protected]

Hello Graeme

The only place I have seen details on the dispatch of medals in on the medal rolls themselves.

Medals were usually sent to the regiment or depot for distribution. In the case of units disbanded after the war such as Brabant's Horse medals were issued to South Africa for distribution. Occassionally on the medal roll a personal address is written against the recipient's name. A number of medals were returned as the recipient could not be located, again such lists do appear in the medal rolls.

You can try searching South African databases on eggsa.org and www.national.archives.gov.za/ for traces of him.

Regards
Meurig

Thanks Meurig
I have copies of the medal lists. Will examine those in detail and search other websites as you proposed. Will notify you of any advance in obtaining new information.
kind regards
Graeme Kinnear