TOPIC:

I am new to the Forum but wonder if anyone out there can help me.

I am trying to trace details about my great grandfather. His name was Frederick John Clarke (sometimes spelt Fredrick, and sometimes he just used John). I know that he served in South African but the detail comes from a newspaper article about the death of his son in 1941. In that article is says "he was in the South African War, was taken prisoner in January 1900, and was a pow for 12 months". It goes on to say that he had 7 war medals including 3 South African with five bars. Apparently he was in the 1st Battalion Suffolk Regiment until 1905 although I don't know from when.

Any information anyone could give me to help trace my Great Grandfathers time in South African would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

Suzie
The Palmer casualty roll shows a "2692 Pte J.Clarke, 1st Suffolk Regt" who was POW at Colesburg on 06011900. This MIGHT be your GGF. I could not see any entry for "F.Clarke" or "F.J.Clarke".
Good luck!
IL.

Dear IL,

Thank for your this - certainly sounds very promising. He was known to use the name John rather than Fredrick so that could be the one - certainly the regiment and the date tie in.

Many thanks. Merry Christmas.

If this is your ancestor, he was a Private serving with E Company and was released from Watervaal on the 6th of June 1900, with the majority of the Prisoners.

I will look at the other reference material I have and get back to you.

Kind regards

Ian

Dear Ian

that is brilliant - thank you. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,

S

Susie,

A quick look confirms that 2692 Pte J Clarke E Company 1st Battalion Suffolk Regiment was amongst the one hundred or so men captured on 5 January 1900 and taken to Watervaal Prisoner of War Camp.

Given a little time, I can tell you quite a bit about him and I will. However, we should try and confirm that this man is your ancestor. Do you have details such as date of birth, address, parents' names etc or even his medals within your family? Anything like this will help.

In the meantime I will look further.

Kind regards
Ian