Hi Linda & Tony - Thanks so much for clearing up the "Flintshire" question for me - Please see my previous message to Peter - the 1st Boer War was actually 1881-1882 - I have all my gr uncle's letters from his camp there at Ajuba Camp, Newcastle, Natal, S. Africa.- describing the various battles - & the famous saying "Remember Majuba Hill" was based on the great defeat of the British by the Boers at that battle (in which my gr uncle participated)- apparently all the fault of one of their commander's gross miscalculations. Harry was born in Ireland ( Francis Henry Halsey (Home) Dickson), as his father was stationed there with the 6th Lt Dragoons (Carabineers) at the Curragh Camp - but the family did live originally in Southampton - his uncle Peter Dickson was mayor of Southampton in 1841. sincerely Mary Margaret