NoDo$h
Member Since: 02 May 2006
Location: Finding new and exciting ways to milk badgers.
Posts: 19689
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| South African military records for 1917 |
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Found out earlier this week that a relative of the wife's family was a Royal Marine Artillery bombadier who served with the 75th South African Heavy Artillery (SAHA) in WWI. His service records show that he enlisted in the Marines in 1892, serving until 1904 before re-enlisting in 1914
Shortly after re-enlisting he sailed to Africa as part of a group of 54 Royal Marine gunners sent to help train Botha's newly-formed artillery. On arrival in SA he served in German SW Africa (Namibia) alongside the newly formed 75th SAHA.
Late in 1915 he sailed with the 75th for Europe, serving on the Western Front. He was killed in action on 09 February 1917, along with Gunners Benjaman Pearson and G J Todd, both of the 75th SAHA. They're buried in Fouquescourt, which I hope to visit in a month or so.
Although he was a Royal Marine, their diaries and records don't capture any details of the action in which he died. I wondered if any of you guys in South Africa might have suggestions as to organisations I might contact to try and obtain any records for the 75th SAHA for February 1917?
Thanks in advance  I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
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 4th Mar 2011 12:40 am |
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Baben
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
  
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Its a tough one - anyone that remembered anything about WW1 & 2 is long gone, but the following may be able to help:
Memorable Order of Tin Hats Www.moth.org.za
South African Military History Society http://samilitaryhistory.org/
Good luck, and if you need any local fetching and carrying just shout
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| 5th Mar 2011 4:34 pm |
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countrywide
Member Since: 16 Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 6019
  
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Did you get the full service record from the PRO. I used a specialist researcher to fill in the detail, cost about £80 for a full report. This included details of the fighting they were involved in etc.
Unfortunately unless you were an officer or it was exceptional bravery you were unlikely to be mentioned in reports or diaries. Normally the only informstion is in the officers letter to the family and in many cases the detail was dropped to spare them.
We have a letter from a relatives commanding officer and explains where and how he was killed by a german sniper.
If you would like the researchers details, let me know.
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| 5th Mar 2011 6:15 pm |
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