You wonder whether he padded out his resume but one of my ancestors served in several other units like this. It happened that one unit may have had so many casualties they offered promotion to anyone to join and in my case my man got a different number for each of the three different colonial regiments he joined at different stages of the war. Doesnt make it easy though. If possible try and get get John Stirling's book "Colonial Regiments in South AFrica 1899-1902"It is out of print but most libraries should have it amongst their war collections. Pat ----- Original Message ----- From: "Alexander Paul" <PAlexander@OLDMUTUAL.com> To: <BOER-WAR-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 10:18 PM Subject: RE: [BOER-WAR] military designations > I.M.R could be Imvoti Mounted Rifles, a Natal based colonial unit, which I > think still exists. > Paul Alexander > CapeTown > > -----Original Message----- > From: mlagusis [mailto:mlagusis@pacbell.net] > Sent: 13 December 2005 9:07 AM > To: BOER-WAR-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: [BOER-WAR] military designations > > > > > Hello listers, > > I am new to this list so I apologize if this query is a repeat. I > attempted to send this message before I had subscribed officially, so > this is my second effort. > > > I just received the Attestation papers for my grandfather, Robert > Percy CLARK, for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force (WW1). > In it he lists his previous military experience in South Africa. > > I wonder if anyone can confirm my interpretation of the abbreviations > and the significance of certain initials. > > He lists: > > 4 yrs V.B. Royal Fusiliers...what does V.B. signify? > > 2 yrs V.S.C. Royal Fusiliers....again what is the significance of > V.S.C.? > > 1 yr Rand Rifles > > 3 mo I.M.R. Vol....what does I.M.R. stand for? > > 18 mos D.F.F.A .....I am guessing that this stands for Diamond Fields > Field Artillery. > > 5 mos K.L.H....I am guessing this stands for Kimberley Light Horse. > > 8 yrs 5th C.G.A.....am I correct in guessing that this stands for > Cape Garrison Artillery? > > I think some of his experience must have been concurrent because, as > far as I know, he was only in South Africa from 1900 to 1908. Was it > possible to serve in different outfits simultaneously or was he > padding his resume? > I also have his attestation papers from British National Archives > confirming his service in the South African campaign 1900, 1901 with > the Royal Fusiliers. I believe he received the following medals > (according to my deceased aunt) but I have no idea of their > significance: > > Commander St Michael and St George, the Military Cross, The > Distinguished Service Order, General Service Medals, The Mons Star, > Coronation 1911, South Africa: King’s and Queen’s Long Service Medals. > > Where could I find more details on his South African military record? > > I do know that he went on to achieve the rank of Brigadier General in > the Canadian Army. > > Yours, > Melissa > > > > > ==== BOER-WAR Mailing List ==== > Boer War Links > http://freespace.virgin.net/anglers.rest/BoerWarLinks.htm > > ============================== > Census images 1901, 1891, 1881 and 1871, plus so much more. > Ancestry.com's United Kingdom & Ireland Collection. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13968/rd.ashx > > Please click on the following link to read the Old Mutual legal notice: > <http://www.oldmutual.co.za/e-mail_legal_notice> > Alternatively, send a "blank" e-mail to > <mailto:EmailLegalNotice@oldmutual.com> > > > > > ==== BOER-WAR Mailing List ==== > Getting Started on Boer War Research? > http://freespace.virgin.net/anglers.rest/BWInfo.htm > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.371 / Virus Database: 267.13.13/198 - Release Date: > 12/12/2005 > >

John Stirling’s books “The Colonials in South Africa” (1904) & "Our Regiments in South Africa 1899-1902" (1903) have been reprinted by the Naval & Military Press (2002). They have a description of the campaigns each regiment was involved in, but just a few names of the commanding officers and those who got awards for bravery: http://www.naval-military-press.com/ Yours, John Wilson > If possible try and get get John Stirling's book "Colonial Regiments > in South Africa 1899-1902"It is out of print but most > libraries should have it amongst their war collections. >