Hi Margret - Unfortunately he doesn't appear in the casualty roll which also shows men died of disease (in SA or at sea), wounded and taken POW. Most soldiers served 7 years with the colours (full time) and 5 years with the reserve (reverting to civilian life but liable for immediate recall to the army in time of war). Many such reservists were called up for the Boer War. It's possible that he served in South Africa in the early part of the war but was discharged 'time expired' and after finishing his 7+5 years stint. In this case he may have returned to the UK or taken his discharge in SA. Either way he may have died of causes unconnected with the war by 1901. Alternatively, he may have been one of the many men invalided home due to sickness (usually enteric - aka typhoid) and died in the UK before or after discharge. Such casualties aren't shown on the casualty roll. Regards, David Margret Schultz <wain10@worldnet.att.net> wrote: Thank you for that information David, I am sure there are a lot more people out there will find it as informative as I did. My ancestor's name was JOHN COWLEY (middle name YORK) He was in the 1st Division of the Field Artillery, of the Royal Artillery. He was a gunner. In 1891 he was based in Aldershot. That is what I have on him. We believe he was probably killed in action because his son- born 1893 at Woolwich, was, by 1901 residing in All Saints Orphanage in Lewisham. We did not know of his marriage or to whom he was married. Our family never knew John he was my grandmother's brother and they were separated at a very early age. Margaret, in- now it is sunny, Palmyra Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com