TOPIC:

This is my x2 great grandfather, would there be any records for when he joined the Kimberley TG ?

Niven C K Private QSA (1)
Source: List of QSAs with the clasp Defence of Kimberley Kimberley TG

Regards
Sharleen Nell

Sharleen
The publication "Kimberley Siege Account and Medal Roll" by our host, Dr. David Biggins, shows your x2 GGF as served with No. 111 Section of K Company of the KTG. David will be better placed to comment on any enlistment date; however, permission to form the KTG was given by High Commissioner Sir Arthur Milner on 29th September 1899 - and notices announcing the swearing-in of recruits for the KTG were posted on September30th and October the 1st. Your GGFx2 was probably a worker in the DeBeers mines or else a resident in the town.
If you get a chance, I thoroughly recommend a reading of the Siege Account and Medal Roll (ISBN 978 1 870192 040).
Regards
IL.

Linneyl
Thank you for that information, yes my GGFx2 was a resident and worked for the bank in Kimberley.
I will contact Dr David Biggins hoping there will be some records on Niven.
Do you maybe have any recommendations on where to search for a list of the people caught up in the Seige of Mafeking, Niven's wife was there at the time of the Seige, I was wondering if there were any records in connection with the Seige, you recommended reading the Seige Account and medal Roll (ISBN 978 1 870192 040), where does one find that ?
Regards
Sharleen

Sharleen,

IL is spot on with his information on CK Niven who served in the Kimberley Town Guard. I agree that he is likely to have been resident in or around Kimberley. I do not have any more information on him. There are directories of Kimberley residents listing occupations and addresses held by the Africana Library in Kimberley. This is their site: africanalibrary.co.za/

If he was linked in any way to De Beers, they have their own library too.

There are many books written about the siege of Mafeking. There is a copy of Baillie's Diary on this site: angloboerwar.com/books/124-baillie-mafek...a-diary-of-the-siege

Most books do not focus on the civil side of the siege but there is always the chance of a mention.

Best wishes
David

David
Thank you so much, I will follow up with the Africana Library, what a pity there are no records for him and yes he was a resident and worked for the bank in Kimberley.
Thanks for the link I will see what I can find there.
I appreciate your help.

Best wishes
Sharleen

Sharleen
Glad I was able to help a little. Regarding the Mafeking siege, Colin Walker published his Mafeking Siege Register in about 12007 - based largely on the "Mafeking Mail" (newsletter circulated during the siege), the medal rolls, diaries and the like. He was remarkably thorough ( I assisted a very little with a few revisions) and his Siege Register was pretty encompassing. Just now, I had a look at the Register and unfortunately could not find a reference to any Niven (female or otherwise).
Not to say Niven';s spouse was not in Mafeking. Just that there is no spoor so far.
Regards
IL.