I have a keen interest in the Boer War: my company logo...
www.edwardsrandall.com. The logo...because I have at least two Great Grandfathers who served in the Boer War, but only just today managed to get my hands on the actual discharge papers for my Great Granddad James (The other Great Grandfather served with the Canadians 6th Contingent - saw no action, as the war ended as his ship arrived in Port Natal). I'm anxious then to learn all I can about Joseph James and his time on the Veldt. This board looks to have a lot of depth and a willigness to help people learn more about their ancestors - thanking you all in advance for your contributions!
So...heres what I know: Joseph James was born in the Parish of Bethnal Green (London). His father worked "on the docks" and acidentaly fell from a wharf and was crushed between a ship and the wharf leaving James and his sisters orphans. James grew up in the same orphanage as his sisters but was kept apart from them - allowed only to see his sisters from a distance in a courtyard on Sundays (cruel). As orphanages went, they were eager to unload him to the military. At the tender age of 12 he joined the military (probably lied about his age). Things get a bit fuzzy here; Joseph was recognized to have some musical talent and joined a military band - playing trombone. I'm not sure if the time line is right, but he was known to have gone to Bermuda to practice with a band either before or just after the war (I'm guessing before) and I'm guessing the QSA (Queens Service Army) band? - I have no proof of this affiliation, but he was in a band, and did play trombone for the British early on in his military career.
At any rate, Joseph (according to his papers) was part of the 2nd Manchester Batalion (#4577). Not much if anything is known of his campaigns only that he was discharged in Guernsey by Colonel J. Walkin? (hard to read).
March 17th, 1902 at the ripe old age of 14 having served a total of 4 Years and 300 days (4 years and 91 days "abroad"), whereupon immediately after he reinlisted in the Canadian Regiment Infantry.
Heres a bit of possible filler for you: His family reports that while with the British Army Band he travelled to Canada (presumably to perform). While in Canada he decided he wanted to live there one day - explaining why he reinlisted with the Canadians after the Boer War. He served until he was discharged from World War 1 in August 1917 - medical corps, a streacher bearer, suffering from shell shock. He lived out the rest of his life as a band master (conductor) in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Like many veterans my Great Grandfather didn't talk much about his experiences in the Boer War or WW1. He did relate a story about being in Johannesburg at the end of the war. He retold a story about how you could see gold dust in between the cobblestone in the streets (perhaps embelishment - or not, as he was a stern no nonsense man). Now I have seen old photgraphs of a band playing in the city square of Johannesburg - a celebration for the end of the war or perhaps the Queens/Kings Jubillee? He may have been in the photo playing trombone for the occasion (I have no idea).
His medals are not available to me at the moment. The Queens medal (and clasps) could help me identify where he campaigned but until my relative who has them finds them - I'm left guessing. So, can you please help me out...what was Joseph James up to back then?