Introduction

[Blackfamily]

Hello,

My name is Marilyn Adams and my grandfather, James Black, was a member of the 2nd Volunteer Service Company and on 10 March 1900 he enlisted as a Bugler. He was one of the Half Company who then went to South Africa to join in the war. I am attaching two photos of him and his fellow volunteers during his stay in Africa. In both scenes he is in the centre.

I am trying to trace his movements, how he made the journey to South Africa, and where he was posted when he was there. I would be glad of any help that anyone can give me.

[mack]

hiya marilyn
the men in the first photo are scottish soldiers not manchesters

mack

[Blackfamily]

Thank you very much - we have always believed that the central figure was my grandfather as a young man. Do you think it is possible that he was posted to join another regiment in South Africa?

[mack]

hiya marilyn
they are two different men

the bandsmen in a regiment also act as stretcher bearers,thats probably why your grandfather chose to join the RAMC later

mack

[mack]

hiya marilyn
have you seen the poem that his brother thomas wrote

use the forums search engine and type in. drummer blacks poem

mack

[Bob.NB]

James Black, already being a member of the 6th Volunteer Battalion, The Manchester Regiment attested for short service with the Regulars on 10 March 1900 and went straight into the Army Reserve being recalled on 14 February 1901 and posted to 1st Battalion, the Manchester Regiment.
As one of the 2nd Volunteer Service Company (VSC), under Capt Heys, consisting of men from the Ardwick and Oldham Volunteer Battalions, he departed for South Africa on 17 March 1901 and joined the 1st Battalion Manchester Regiment as 'K' Company at Machadodorp on 7 May. The next four months were spent mainly on convoy escort duty and patrolling the local area but on 27 September the battalion were ordered to join Colonel Park's column. After assembling at Lyndenburg the column moved off on 1 October, with the Manchester Regiment leading. There then followed 6 weeks of patrolling, rounding up Boers, destroying farms etc and the column was frequently under sniper fire. On 19 November 'K' Company were detailed as the garrison of Bridge Hill, Lyndenburg until 6 January 1902 when the VSC joined the rest of the battalion at Belfast.
On 15 January the battalion moved north to Zwart Kopjes, to Dullstroom on the 17th, and on 21 January attacked the Boers to the east of Paardeplatz before returning to camp. On 21 March the battalion, including 'K' Company, was ordered to prepare for another drive and, as part of Park's column, to move south west towards the Natal Railway. By the end of the drive they had marched 75 miles in 60 hours. A further drive took place on 12 April and after a march of 55 miles the battalion reached Vaal.
On 15 April the 4th VSC joined the 1st Battalion (the 3rd VSC had joined the 2nd Battalion in August 1901) and so 7174 Drummer Black and the 2nd VSC left for England on the same day and arrived back in England on 18 May 1902.
The Boer army surrendered on 31 May 1902 and James Black was discharged at his own request on 12 June 1902 after serving with the "Colours" for 2 years and 95 days, of which 1 year and 63 days had been served in "South Africa". For his service in South Africa, Drummer Black was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with 5 clasps – "Transvaal", "Cape Colony", "Orange Free State", "South Africa 1901" and "South Africa 1902".
Bob B

[mack]

nice work as usual bob,marilyn has already done a excellent job of her grandfathers history,this bit was the missing piece,you might get a xmas card off her for this

mack

[Blackfamily]

Thank you so much - it's very kind of you to have taken the time to reply at such length. I am currently writing a book about my grandfather as he went on to serve in the RAMC for 22 years in China, Hong Kong, Africa and the UK and as he was a keen photographer, I have hundreds of photos of those times. Unfortunately these are the only two from the Boer War. I will certainly acknowledge that these words came from you.

Incidentally, do members of the Forum wish to see photos as I have a number of Thomas Black in groups and on parade. All hoarded by my grandfather!

[Bob.NB]

Just glad it helped.
Bob B

[mack]

hiya marilyn
we would love to see the photos

mack

[mack]

hiya marilyn
the other drummer who served with your grandfather in the boer war was 7115 thomas gibson,he was the medical orderly,he lived at 10 manor rd,levenshulme,which is right across the road from where i live

mack

[mack]

hiya marilyn
use the forum search engine and type in 7211 dunkerley,this will bring up all those who served with your grandfather in south africa,hope its of use to you
ps.one of them pte 7190 g.a ashworth was his neighbour[29 franklin street]

mack