Pte. 5211 Thomas Blockley (forum archive)
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 Posted by blockley » Fri Jun 15, 2012 2:23 pm
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.png) Private Registered user Posts: 3 |
| My Great Uncle Pte 5211 Thomas Blockley died from wounds on 20 January 1900.
I first became intrigued by him when they had a article about the Queen Victoria Christmas Chocolate tins on Blue Peter in, i guess, the early 1970's! I've now finally managed to arrange a trip to Natal to see where he fell, he's buried in Spearman's Camp in, I believe, an unmarked grave. I'm no expert on the Boer War and, in anticipation of my trip, i'm presently re-reading Thomas Packenham's The Boer War. If anybody can offer any advice about my trip (e.g. knowledge of any 'good' local guides - i'm particularly interested in tracking his journey until he fell) or has any further knowledge of Thomas Blockley it would be greatly appreciated. Best Regards |
| Posted by mrdeacon » Fri Jun 15, 2012 9:15 pm
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Colonel Registered user Posts: 706 |
| Welcome to the forum sorry I can't assist in your research but have a great trip sounds really exciting.
Regards Mike. |
| Posted by blockley » Mon Jun 18, 2012 11:41 am
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Private Registered user Posts: 3 |
| Thanks Mike
I'll update if I come across anything that may interest those on the forum |
| Posted by plbramham » Mon Jun 18, 2012 2:04 pm
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 General Global moderator Posts: 1369 |
| Andrew, Try sending CockneyTone a PM (Personal Message), he is a member interested in The Boer War and has been
to South Africa, I believe.....He may have advice that could be useful to you. |
| Posted by blockley » Mon Jun 18, 2012 4:12 pm
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Private Registered user Posts: 3 |
| Thanks Spike, I'll do as you suggest |
| Posted by mrdeacon » Mon Jun 18, 2012 7:54 pm
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Colonel Registered user Posts: 706 |
| Andrew That would be great cheers can't wait
Mike. |
| Posted by CockneyTone » Tue Jun 19, 2012 6:52 am
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Lieutenant-Colonel Registered user Posts: 441 |
| Andrew,
first of all welcome to the Forum, I have sent you an e-mail that hopefully has got to you but for the benefit of the others I will post here!
My interest stems from my maternal Grandfather, he was a Private in the Border Regiment so would have served alongside your Great Uncle. I have checked the Natal Field Force casualty record and as you know it shows he was killed on 20/1/1899 at Spion Kop. however it is more likely he was killed on a nearby hill call Ntabamnyana, this was the battle that preceded the famous Battle of Spion Kop on the 23rd Jan 1899, please forgive me if I am telling you what you already know! Like you my interest started in the 70's, and has developed over the years and I now find myself a 'Badged' member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides: Anyway drop me an e-mail with any questions you may have, also I can recommend a couple of nice hotels and local guides should you need them, kind regards, |
| Posted by CockneyTone » Thu Jun 21, 2012 6:56 am
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Lieutenant-Colonel Registered user Posts: 441 |
| Just to keep anyone following this thread in the loop Andrew gave me 'a bell' and we had a really interesting chat about his Great Uncle and his forthcoming trip (Lucky devil!) and we are exchanging information.
Regards, |