Pte. R. Brown, service no. 3064 (forum archive)

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Posted by plbramham » Fri Dec 18, 2015 11:15 am	plbramham General Global moderator Posts: 1369
I wonder with your Boer War expertise if you can shed any light on this soldier? PRIVATE R. BROWN, service No. 3064 He was a Border Regiment Border War soldier who received the Kings South Africa Medal (1901-1902.) These were never awarded singly, always with the Queen South Africa Medal (1899-1900) so he may appear on either medal list. I guess he was born 1870-1880, so may appear on census (maybe at a military depot) 1871/1881/1891/1901, maybe even 1911. I’ve checked volunteer battalion numbers (Colin Bardgett’s “The Black Angel” booklet) and they do no co-incide, so I guess he was a regular, 1st or 2nd Bn. BUT I’ve checked attestations 1890-1913, so maybe he joined before then? Quite possible if he joined in 1889 as an 18 year old he could have served in the Boer War as a private. Being a common name (maybe even an “alias”) I know you do not have much chance! Any help appreciated. Cheers, Paul. Pte. R. Brown's King's South Africa Medal (1901-1902)

Posted by plbramham » Fri Dec 18, 2015 12:59 pm	plbramham General Global moderator Posts: 1369
Very many thanks to Ian T, who immediately responded with copies of Brown's medals roll lists for both the Queen's South Africa Medal, and the Kings South Africa Medal. I was correct, he was a regular - 1st Battalion. He received the "normal" 1901 and 1902 claps on his KSA, but on the QSA he was entitled to claps for Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Tugela Heights, and Relief of Ladysmith. A good starting point for me! I wonder if he later served in WW1? (In "middle age" maybe as a recruiting Sergeant or an NCO i/c training?) Regards, Paul. Pte. R. Brown 3064 King's South Africa medal roll Pte. R. Brown 3064 Queen's South Africa medal roll

Posted by IanT » Fri Dec 18, 2015 7:43 pm	IanT Major Registered user Posts: 252
Paul, I just did another quick search on Ancestry for 3064 R Brown Border Regiment and initially thought there was nothing. However..... there is in the pension records an entry for Robert Brown, service number 18401, attested for the Border Regiment in December 1914. The record states he had previously served in the Border Regt and his time had expired. Browsing through the pages I came across the info about this earlier service. He enlisted in Carlisle in January 1891, when he was 18, and his service number then was....3064! There are details of the earlier service. He was married with four children. Ian

Posted by hussar1000 » Wed Dec 23, 2015 1:07 am	hussar1000 Staff Sergeant Registered user Posts: 131
Findmypast is pretty good for Boer War era soldiers papers and I have found quite a few. I don't have a subscription but you can get a few days free trial sometimes so do check their website.

Posted by IanT » Wed Dec 23, 2015 10:17 am	IanT Major Registered user Posts: 252
His service is also on findmypast, but among the WW1 records. He doesn't show up when searching just the Boer War because he re-enlisted in the regiment for WW1 and the service details have been carried forward.