Private R.Andrews Manchester Regiment 6166

[anthony03]

Greetings all- I am a amateur historian writing a timeline history of the town of Montagu in the Western Cape South Africa from 1700 with a particular emphasis on the Boer War in the Cape Colony area. In my collection,  I have a renamed Queens South Africa to Private R Andrews  of the Manchester Regiment number 6166 who, according to the clasps on the medal saw action in the Cape Colony and the Orange Free State. Any idea which  Manchester regiment he served in or any other details would be really help my research and would be greatly
appreciated.Kind regards
Alf Boyley

[mack]

hiya alf.
he also recieved the KSA medal with clasps 1901+1902,he was in the 2nd manchesters.he was invalided home and discharged.

this could be him
pte 16593 robert andrews
19 reather st,gorton,manchester
occupation,labourer
enlisted 14-1-1915
aged 44
stated that he had previously served 12yrs with the manchesters
he was discharged as completely unfit for service,on 12-6-15,he had been suffering from acute bronchitis for 15yrs,he was also suffering with emphysemia.

mack

[sphinx]

Alf,

That medal appears officially impressed in the correct and official manner.

What makes you think its re-named?

regards

[anthony03]

Hi Mack and Sphinx- Thank you so much for the info - It is gratefully appreciated. I think it has been re-named because on the bottom rim thickness. I am attaching a pic of it. Kind regards-Alf

[Migky.]

Hi & welcome Anthony, i know this chap service number is not the one shown on the medal but might still be him? Mack would know better thank me if it was him?

Robert Andrews
Calculated year of birth:   1868   
Parish of birth:   Hulme
Town of birth:   Manchester
Age at attestation:   30 years 5 months
Attestation date:   27 April 1898
Attestation corps:   3RD MANCHESTER REGIMENT   
Attestation soldier number:   6066
Discharge corps:   Manchester Regiment - 63rd & 96th Foot

Looks like home address of 12 Williams street, Ardwick
Emplyod by Mr Thomas King Smithfield market
Discharged  5th- 3rd 1898 12 years service Manchester regiment.
Conduct: Very Good
Rank: Private.
Trade: Fitter.

In total there are three sets of records on FMP relating to this man.
One states Robert Andrews 1363 Manchester reg, trade: Fitter, Joined A-u-L 8th March 1886 age 18yrs 8months
Address: 21 Back Pump street, London road Manchester.

Robert Andrews Pte1700, 4th Manchester regiment  12th Jan 1886 21 back  Pump street. Age 17 yrs 5Months.
Discharge corps:   Manchester Regiment - 63rd & 96th Foot
Trade: Fitter.


Migky

[anthony03]

Many thanks, All very confusing ? Kind regards
Alf

[Bob.NB]

How about this for a scenario?
Robert Andrews born about 1869/70 in Manchester (son of Robert and Eliza living in St john's parish in 1881).
Enlists 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment +/- 1886 by overstating his age by a year or two.
Does not appear in 1891 census as he is away with the 2nd Battalion in India.
Leaves regular army after his "regulation" 12 years in 1898 and joins 3rd (Militia?) Battalion as part of his required service in the army reserve.
Called up for Boer War and rejoins 2nd battalion in South Africa and given number 6166 - arrives "late" and therefore misses out on the Wittebergen clasp which was awarded to most of original contingent of 2nd Battalion.
Does not appear in 1901 census as he is in South Africa.
Leaves South Africa sometime in 1902 and is discharged back to army reserve.
Re-enlists for WWI in 1915 as per Mack's post above.

It's a possibilty.

Bob B

PS I agree with Sphinx - medal and naming looks fine from the photos. If it has been re-named (which I doubt) it looks as though it has been done officially.

[anthony03]

I am amazed at the amount of detail that all of you have at your disposal. Here in South Africa it's a case of bumping your head when you start researching medals. I know it's off topic but  I an attaching a rare photograph of the Montagu Town Guard taken during the Boer War. Cheers-Alf