New member from Canada

[Excalibur]

Hello to all,
I am glad to have found such a forum. Thanks Mark.
I am in the Windsor/Essex County region of Ontario Canada. My mother, born in Wales, is in her 91st year and it was her father (my grandfather) who participated in the last Victorian War. My memory is not so good anymore and mom's is much worse however I find myself interested in knowing (and sharing) information on the life and times of L-Cpl Percival Fitzpatrick who was a member of the 17th Lancers and fought in the (2nd) Boer War. His portrait hangs in our living room. (His eyes always watching you from whatever angle you view the portrait--the mark of a good artist!) Although the medals, in the protrait, are not done in detail he has that one regarding Mafeking. Additionally he received a patch, bestowed on him from Lord Baden-Powell, one of only a few that were issued.
I hope I have not said too much in this introduction; forgive me if I have digressed.

[Mark]

Warm welcome to the forum, glad to have you aboard!

Mark

[Waggoner]

Excalibur,

Welcome to the Forum! Glad to have another Canadian in the group!

All the best,

Gary

[QSAMIKE]

Is there anyway that you could post a picture especially of the medals and the badge.....

Thanks.....

Mike

[SWB]

The only P Fitzpatrick in the 17th Lancers:

Private 4275 P Fitzpatrick 17th (Duke Of Cambridge's Own) Lancers
Remarks: QSA Clasps: CC,OFS,T,SA01

Other Units
Unknown C Division South African Constabulary; served with

The "patch" may have something to do with the SAC - Baden-Powell was OC SAC.

I second Mike's request to see a picture.

Regards
Meurig

[crimea1854]

Excalibur I hate to break it to you, but your ancestor was a bit on the wild side! When he attested to the 17th Lancers he answered 'no' to having prior military service, this was not true. In 1894 he attested to the 3rd Hussars, proceeded to abscond in Feb 1896 and was arrested in January 1897 by the Civil Authorities for a 'Felony', being sentenced to two months hard labour before being dismissed the Army.

He deserted again while in the 17th Lancers. Both his service records are available on Find my Past, I know for certain it's the same man because his tatoo is described in both, and he gave Sarah Evans (grandmother) as his next of kin in both.

Martin

[FROGSMILE]

We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind",
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind.

[soxybob]

Hello Excalibur, I read with interest your post , and the reply from Crimea regarding your ancestor, I would just like to say that my great-great grandfather, Micheal Boshell, had a long and distinguished career in the Military, along with several other members of the family including his brother and son, but he was tried before The Regimental Court Martial on 25th September, 1833, for "Breaking out of Barracks on evening of 15th Sept. when confined thereto, and not returning until the evening of 22nd.," He was sentenced to undergo solitary imprisonment in The Military Provost for the period of 20 days, and be deprived of his pay for the period he was absent. I for one , do not believe that this in any way detracted from his bravery and devotion to service, any more than your ancestor's, after all none of us know the circumstances surrounding these actions. They are, every last one of them, Heroes All.