3rd South Staffords attached 1st Northumberland Fusiliers?

[Mark]

Hi All

I am looking for some information regarding the attachment of around 100 men of the 3rd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment to the 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers.

A friend and co-Staffordshire Regiment enthusiast has found details of these 100 men on the King's South Africa Medal roll. However, nothing is found on the South Staffordshire Regiment's roll for the Queen's South Africa Medal.

Does any member have the Queen's roll for the 1st Northumberland Fusiliers? If so does it make mention of any men from the South Staffords?

Also, does anyone have any other information regarding these men?

Thanks in advance guys!

Mark

[Mark]

Anyone?

Mark

[LSWR Colin]

Hi

I am a railway historian rather than military one, being editor of the quarterly journal of the society interested in the former London & South Western Railway (South Western Circle).

The Circle has in its possession a photograph of a tain on its way to Southampton Docks (originally published in The December 1899 issue of The Locomotive magazine) with the South Staffordshire Regiment on board. The photo has been published in various railway books over the years repeating the photographers caption.

The problem? Recent research by myself to try and tie down a precise date for the photo by reference to Regimental and shipping records reveals that the South Staffs didn't go Southampton for embarkation until January 1900, ie after the photo was published.

Mark's query here provides a possible solution to the issue - the LSWR conveyed the 1st Northumberlands from Aldershot to Southampton in September 1899.

I'd be happy to share the photo with you (and further 'railway' information about it) but I'm new to all this 'Forum' malarky so would appreciate advice on what to do.

No doubt a very long shot - I look forward to hearing your views, even if only 'nonsense'. If the photo isn't of a South Staffs troop train, we haven't a clue who is on board!!

[colenso]

Hi Mark,

I'm away from my records at the moment, but on return I will check out the St George Gazettes for this period. My guess is that if 100 men of the 3rd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment moved to the 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, then they may have had an officer with them. Officers tend to be mentioned in some detail.

regards

colenso

[Dave Naden]

Hi All

I am looking for some information regarding the attachment of around 100 men of the 3rd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment to the 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers.

A friend and co-Staffordshire Regiment enthusiast has found details of these 100 men on the King's South Africa Medal roll. However, nothing is found on the South Staffordshire Regiment's roll for the Queen's South Africa Medal.

Does any member have the Queen's roll for the 1st Northumberland Fusiliers? If so does it make mention of any men from the South Staffords?

Also, does anyone have any other information regarding these men?

Thanks in advance guys!

Mark

Hi Mark,

A small number of 3rd South Staffs together with 3 companies of 1st Northumberlands plus others as an escort to a supply column returning back to Klerksdorp. The column was attacked on 25 Feb 1902. 60+ was killed and about 600 prisoners was taken. The event appears in the history books as the Battle of Yserspruit AKA Yster Spruit, Yzerspruit, and occasionally Elandslaaagte (a farm west of Klerksdorp where the column camped overnight).

Dave

[Mark]

Cheers, Dave! That looks like an answer to this old question

Mark