TOPIC:

Hi everyone first time on this site.
My Great Grandfather served with the 18th Hussars in India ( B Squadron) what I am trying to find out is when were they posted to South Africa and on which ships, and when they arrived in SA and which port.
On his service history it details that he was in SA from Oct 1898, did they have troops there that early before the Boer conflict.?
I am trying to get my GGF history in the Hussars together for a big family reunion in August any info will be a bonus. His name was Christopher Henry Thomas, Lance Corp, 4216.

Info I do have is service history document, his medals and the book 18th Hussars in SA, which I have just started to read.

Many thanks in anticipation.

Hi mcglyntribe,
And a warm welcome to the forum.
There is a little more info on the 18th movements in this link.

www.angloboerwar.com/unit-information/im...its/508-18th-hussars

Paul

The British had garrisoned an infantry regiment in Natal since 1843, and when the Transvaal Rebellion (1st Anglo-Boer War) broke out in 1881, there was no cavalry regiment present to support the infantry. This role was temporarily filled by a squadron of the Natal Mounted Police. After 1881, a cavalry regiment was also garrisoned in Natal. In 1898/99, it was the 5th Royal Irish Lancers. By then, a war with the Boer Republics was anticipated, so extra British troops were deployed in South Africa. Thus the 18th Hussars were already in Dundee by the time the war started and they took an inglorious part in the first set-piece battle of the war - Talana.

Regards
Brett

Hello Brett,
I am sure that Thomas must have thought he was really quite lucky not to trotting around with that "donkey" of yours, Major M, at Dundee!
Regards Frank

Thanks guys, I have a much clearer picture about the start of the conflict now. As a matter of interest on the cover of the book written by Major Charles Burnett the soldier second from the right ,top row is I believe my GGF Christopher Thomas.
No doubt you will here from me very soon.

Regards
Gordon.