TOPIC:

Hello,

I am attempting to learn a bit more about the service of Joseph Richard Smith who, according to a newspaper article about his death, was apparently a member of the Cape Mounted Rifles. He was born in Limerick, Ireland on 20 October 1878, and died in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on 26 May 1917. His was the son of Richard Smith and Jane Robinson Smith.

I'm afraid I know nothing about his military service dates, rank, etc. This site has yielded a "Smith, J R, 2714, Private, QSA (2), Source: Provisional List of Wepener Recipients." I suspect that this is him, but naturally the commonality of the Smith surname is a limiting factor in my search.

Could anyone suggest to me the next logical step in trying to learn more about his service and the acquisition of any records that may exist bearing in mind that I am also based in Vancouver?

Thanks for your consideration.

What an amazing website this is.

Hello,
Welcome to this forum, this man is shown on the Cape Mounted Rifles medal roll, WO100/241 page 50 as 2714 R J Smith, his QSA with the clasps for Cape Colony and Wepener, in the remarks column "Physically Unfit"
Surviving service papers for this unit are in the Cape archives in South Africa, perhaps when Adrian, another member of this forum, reads this, he will have more to tell you.
Audrey Portman, [email protected] would be able to get you copies of anything that is left in the Cape.
Again, welcome and good hunting
Regards Frank

Hello Limerick,

I will have a look for you a little later on to see what there is on your man. There are no service papers/attestation papers in Cape town or for that matter in SA to the CMR. There are however, defaulters books so if his page has survived I can give you the details. These show enlistment dates, discharge dates, offences, punishments, promotions and medals etc.

Regards
Adrian

The Regimental number 2714 belonged to Robert John Smith of the CMR. He was a trumpeter and was discharged on the 5th April 1900 as medically unfit and was also awarded a gratuity of 10 Pound.

He enrolled on the 5th April 1895 in Kingwilliam's Town at the age of 14 years. This Smith had no defaults and the page confirms the QSA with the clasps Wepener and Cape Colony.

Is this the same man??

Regards
Adrian

Hello Adrian,
I would suggest, not the man, Limerick is looking for!
Regards Frank

Hello Frank,

There are a few similarities-initials,Reg number and the fact that he was discharged medically unfit. I however, will leave it up to Limerick to confirm one way or the other but in the mean time I shall have another look through DD7/63 and see if there is anyone else who matches the chap.

Regards
Adrian