The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

apanderson · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 9:13 pm Post subject: K.O.S.B., Boer War (1900)

I'm trying to find out about the following man:

Robert Inglis, King's Own Scottish Borderers (of Gilmour's Land, Baillieston)

The only info I have at the moment is from "In Memoriam", Roll of Honour Imperial Forces, Anglo-Boer War 1899 - 1902 by Steve Watt (Published in 2000) which gives his date of death (K.I.A.) as 29th March 1900 at Karee Siding, north of Bloemfontein.

Any suggestions anyone?

Anne

David McNay · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 9:51 pm Post subject:

Boer War Casualty Roll lists hims as:

Private R INGLES, 2810, Dangerously wounded at Larree on 29th March 1900. Died 30th March. 1st Battalion.

From the Gazetteer of the Boer War:

"Karree Siding is/was a station on the Bloemfontein-Kroonstad railway line in the Orange Free State (Brandfort district), 20 km south of Brandfort. The Boers were well entrenched on either side of the railway line at Karree Siding under the command of Assistant Commandant-General T. Smuts. They comprised the Utrecht and Wakkerstroom commandos, Theron's Scouts and a detachment of Johannesberg Police. On 29 March 1900, the right flank was turned by Major-General J.D.P. French's cavalry division and the left was reported to be retiring before the mounted infantry of Lt-Col P W J Le Gallais. The centre was then attacked by Lt-General C Tucker's 7th Division and a sharp fight ensued before the Boers retreated towards Brandfort. The 7th division bivouacked at Karree Siding and its headquarters remained there during April. On 3 May 1900 Field Marshal Lord Roberts left Bloemfontein to take command of the army at Karree Siding."

(And yes, that is future Field Marshal Sir John French....)

For a KOSB-centric look at Karree Siding, try and track down a copy of "BLue Bonnets, Boers and Biscuits" a recent book which published the diary of a KOSB man. In it he makes mention of Karree Siding.

David McNay · Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:42 am Post subject:

Another suggestion: there might be something in the newspapers.

I've seen casualty details from December 1899 that in some places listed where a man resided and what family he left behind. By March 1900 you might still be getting this kind of information.

Try The Scotsman - I've had a lot of success with them. If you use their online archive, then do a search for "casualty" aroudn the time of March 1900.

The Glasgow Herald, and possibly the Daily Record, might be worth a look too.

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 11:14 am Post subject:

apanderson · Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:36 pm Post subject:

Thanks for reminding me about The Scotsman.

At the moment, I'm trying to do things 'on the cheap' as I've spent a small fortune researching men for this proposed new memorial and I know The Scotsman is a subs. site. Sad

Anne

David McNay · Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 2:17 pm Post subject:

Someone on the GWF posted a link to access some 19th century newspapers for free.

The Glasgow Herald was among those available. The access covered up to the end of 1900 so you might get lucky.

apanderson · Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 2:27 pm Post subject:

David - I've had a rake about the site but couldn't find anything. Have you any idea in which thread it appeared?

David McNay · Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 2:40 pm Post subject:

It was in the "Chit Chat" section. Should be on the first page or two. Title was something like "Free access to newspapers".

If you don't manage to find it I'll send you a link tonight.

apanderson · Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:08 pm Post subject:

Found the link David - thank you.

I now have details of all the inns and outs and most importantly, confirmation that he was indeed a Baillieston man.

Anne