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That certainly does make me think he was indeed a Reservist upon the outbreak of war, recalled and posted to the 2nd battalion.

Thank you Pete for clearing this all up. That is indeed what is engraved on the ABW memorial in St. Etheldreda's, Hatfield - 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire, died Thaba N'chu. You all are aces. And nice to know he died in action, not of a disease.
Alison

Hi Frank

It is family lore that he died in the ABW, and the info you all have, confirmed by the memorial window at St. Etheldreda's all seem to cross-confirm: 3548 Private H. Young, Bedfordshire Regiment; killed in action at Thaba N'chu on 16th November 1900.

If anyone knows why this wouldn't be he, please state so. The 1891 census data does state his name, age and being from Hatfield.

I have asked the St. Etheldreda's archivist if he/she can confirm he was the son of my great-great grandparents.

Thanks,

Alison

Hi Alison,

From what you've said, am I right in thinking that your side of the family doesn't have his medals? Looks like he was entitled to both the Queen's South Africa medal and the Indian General Service Medal with clasp Relief of Chitral.

Berenice

thank you Frank, so there is a grave stone or memorial of some kind at Thaba Nchu that I could visit?

Hi Berenice,

No we don't. But this may be because my great-grandmother was his half sister, older by 10 years. They shared a mother, but not a father. And my great-grandmother and her family emigrated to Canada right before WWI. So I'd have thought the medals, if received, would have stayed with my great great grandmother in Hatfield.

If they were never awarded, is it possible for us to receive them now?

Interestingly, my great grandparents and 4 daughters, including my grandmother, were living in South Africa during this war. I will have to check my great grandmother's journal of the time to see if she makes any reference to it. I wonder if she ever saw her half-brother when he was there with the army.

Alison