Royal Lancasters in the Boer War

[sam]

Hi does anyone know of a forum site for the Royal Lancasters, like this one? my ancestor Willie Gwynne (number 6397). I am told, was in the 1st Royal Lancs and died of enteric fever at Elandsfontein. he was apparently a newspaper correspondent although it is not known if that was just in private life or whether he covered the war as well. he died in December 1902.
Sam

[tisgrannie]

 Hi Sam and welcome, I am sorry we didn't get to you right away. Its not usually what happens. I got the following link via google, if you copy and paste into your address bar and take a look. Or better still type in Royal Lancaster Regt in google it has quite a few links there for you.

http://battlefields1418.50megs.com/regiment010.htm

this link is 1914 - 1918 I didn't look to see if it had other links on it. I am in a bit of a rush. I will look for you when I get back home in a couple of hours.
I shall see what I can find,
regards
tisgrannie ps if you can give any personal info like how old maybe and where from it would be a help!

[sam]

hi tisgrannie, thanks for that link, which is interesting also just found this one, general interesting information and also some (well a lot of!) Army mentions - http://www.angloboerwar.com/index.htm. I will keep trying to get into something specific for the Royal Lancasters. I am realising how little general knowledge I have on the Boer War!  thanks Sam

[timberman]

Hi Sam

No joy on finding a forum for the Royal Lancasters, but did find this lot. Hope they are of some use.

Found this link through the Great War Forum it's the museum for the Kings Own Royal Lancaster regiment

http://www.kingsownmuseum.plus.com/index.htm

This is a link to the King's Own Royal Regiment Memorial Chapel

http://www.priory.lancaster.ac.uk/mil-chapel.html



If you go to this link and scroll down the left hand side you will find a large section on the Boer war.
It makes good reading.

http://www.britishbattles.com/index.htm


Great Boer War
Battle of Talana Hill
Battle of Elandslaagte
Battle of Ladysmith
Battles of Belmont and Graspan
Battle of Modder River
Battle of Stormberg
Battle of Magersfontein
Battle of Colenso
Battle of Spion Kop
Battles of Val Krantz & Pieters
Battle of Paardeburg
Siege of Mafeking
Siege of Kimberley
Siege of Ladysmith


Cheers Timberman

[sam]

those are very interesting sites, Timberman, thank you for that. it has given me plenty to read and learn! what an interesting chapel that looks. I am in Australia and have always wanted to visit the Normandy beaches, first world war areas and now can add this museum and chapel in Lancaster to the 'One Day' trip!! I think my next step is to write and see if they have a memorial list and confirm his date and place of death. thanks again Sam

[tisgrannie]

Hi Sam. I id mention if you could give a location for Willie one did show up on Chorley and a couple in Shropshire. It would help slightly Thats if you know any personal details about him!
I will look further for you if you can add them. It gives a starting point at least,
Good links from timberman.
I got sidewinded today my grandson was 3, the other couple needed to get gifts for him. !!!
tisgrannie

[ladysmith]

Hi Sam - 6397 Pte. W. Gwynne, 1/Royal Lancaster Regiment, is buried at Primrose Cemetery, Germiston although no individual grave marker survives. He was serving with the Mounted Infantry when he died.

David

[tisgrannie]

Well something to go on there at least. Do you have census listings and Birth and Marriage info Sam? i'd be happy to find them for you.
tisgrannie

[sam]

thats a great find!! can I ask how you got to find the place of his burial so I can learn something here - I am finding the Boer War records quite challenging and keep ending up in all sorts of dead ends. Willie Rogers Gwynne was born in 1881 and the family lived in Chorlton on Medlock Manchester. in 1891 the family are living at 117 York Street (his father was Edward Gwynne a brewer) but by 1901, he is not with the family so presumably already in South Africa as I can't find him anywhere on the census. so he was 20/21 when he died. thanks so much for that David. I hope the 3 year old birthday went well tisgrannie - I am 'nearlygrannie' myself, sometime in August! thanks Sam

[tisgrannie]

The grave listings don't include Willie. They seem to be 1917 -1940's
tisgrannie




Cemetery: GERMISTON (PRIMROSE) CEMETERY
Country: South Africa
Locality: unspecified
Visiting Information: It is advisable to consult the Secretary, CWGC South African Agency about the positions of the graves - Tel and Fax: (27) 12 663 7285 E-Mail: [email protected]
Location Information: Germiston is an important gold-mining and industrial centre 14 kilometres east of Johannesburg. From the centre of town follow Meyer Street (M53 north) which becomes Johan Rissik Street in the direction of Johannesburg. The cemetery is at the intersection of Johan Rissik and Wychwood/Rietfontein Streets one block beyond the Main Reef Road.
Historical Information: An air training school and army training centre were established in Germiston during the Second World War.
No. of Identified Casualties: 61

[ladysmith]

thats a great find!! can I ask how you got to find the place of his burial so I can learn something here

Sam - The details are from 'In Memoriam' by Steve Watt. It's a great reference for Boer War burial details.

David

[mack]

pte 6397 william gwynne
1st king own royal lancasters
enlisted 4-4-1900
aged 18yrs.6mths
height 5ft 8inchs
weight 125Ibs
hair.brown
eyes.brown
born.all saints,manchester 1882
religion.church of england
occupation.salesman
south africa 6-5-1901
died of enteric fever.7-12-1901[with mounted infantry]
period of enlistment.3yrs with the colours and 7 in reserve
father edward was living in ardwick at the time of his death.

14-2-1901. 3 days confined to barracks for not complying with an order.
5-7-1901.7 days confined to barracks for disobedience to a NCO.

mack

[tisgrannie]

What can I say mack. No favourite colour of socks or flavour of jam! Your definetley slipping! hate to make light of such serious information. But you are a star !!!!!
tisgrannie

[mack]

What can I say mack. No favourite colour of socks or flavour of jam! Your definetley slipping! hate to make light of such serious information. But you are a star !!!!!
tisgrannie

i can never find out what colour socks they wore tis

mack

[sam]

you are all amazing, thanks so much everyone! it was great also to read the physical descriptions as we have no photos of him (with or without socks) of course. it all seems very sad tho, and so young to die. unfortunate about the disiplinary notes there - would that be a normal amount do you think or was he having 'issues' with authority by then? thanks again, Sam