Military Chat

Hello,

Can anyone help with Boer War records of Granddad John Thomas East. He was born 1 July 1875 Aveley Essex. Hi mother was Charlotte East Born Savell and father was Robert East born in 1848 Gloustershire.

Would ge grateful.

Regards
Estelle

For our background reference:


John East
in the 1881 England Census
Name: John East
Age: 5
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1876
Relationship to Head: Son
Father: Robert East
Mother: Charlotte East
Gender: Male
Where born: Aveley, Essex, England
Civil Parish: Aveley
County/Island: Essex
Country: England
Street address: High St
Registration district: Orsett
ED, institution, or vessel: 4
Neighbors:
Piece: 1752
Folio: 47
Page Number: 19
Household Members:
Name Age
Robert East 23
Charlotte East 28
Hester East 7
John East 5
Alice East 3
Robert East 1


John T East
in the 1891 England Census
Name: John T East
Gender: Male
Age: 15
Relationship: Son
Birth Year: 1876
Father: Robert East
Mother: Charlotte T East
Birth Place: Aveley, Essex, England
Civil Parish: Little Plumstead
Residence Place: Little Plumstead, Norfolk, England
Sub registration district: Blofield
ED, Institution or Vessel: 3
Neighbors:
Piece: 1538
Folio: 48
Household Members:
Name Age
Robert East 43 - gamekeeper
Charlotte T East 37
John T East 15 - gamekeeper's help
Robert W East 11
Emily C East 9
Charles H E East 7
Elsie K N East 5
Percy J L East 2


Did he die in the Boer War? I don't see him in censuses after 1891

Hello,

Should have mentioned. Seems he lived in Groot Marico South Africa.He did not die in the Boer War, he married in May 1908 in Heidelberg Transvaal to Henrietta Petronella Seymour. I think her parents were from the UK but dont know her fathers christian name.

He died in Ladysmith Natal South Africa in 1949.

Thanks Estelle

Some info re Boer War records here:

https://tinyurl.com/jqdyuem

I believe there are some records on FindMyPast. I don't have a sub for that site, but plenty of helpers here do, and I'm sure someone will have a look for John.
I can see there are results for three J Easts.

They’re transcriptions only
First name(s) J
Last name East
Service number 3593
Rank Sergeant
Regiment 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays)
Other regiments/units Unit: 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays), Rank: Sergeant, Number: 3593
Biography -
Notes To 4th Prov Regt of Dragoons for Discharge. QSA Clasps: CC,OFS,T,SA01,SA02
Country Great Britain
Record set Anglo-Boer War Records 1899-1902
Category Military, armed forces & conflict
Subcategory Boer Wars
Collections from Great Britain, UK None

First name(s) J
Last name East
Service number 26729
Rank Sapper
Regiment 11 Company (Field) Royal Engineers
Other regiments/units Unit: 11 Company (Field) Royal Engineers, Rank: Sapper, Number: 26729
Rolls WO100/156 page 85
WO100/158 page 77
WO100/158 page 90
Biography -
Notes QSA Clasps: CC,SA01
Country Great Britain
Record set Anglo-Boer War Records 1899-1902
Category Military, armed forces & conflict
Subcategory Boer Wars
Collections from Great Britain, UK None

First name(s) J
Last name East
Service number 5092
Rank Corporal
Regiment 2 Battalion The Royal Hampshire Regiment
Other regiments/units Unit: 2 Battalion The Royal Hampshire Regiment, Rank: Corporal, Number: 5092
Biography -
Event detail Deserted on 06/02/1901 at Cape Town
Event unit 2 Battalion The Royal Hampshire Regiment
Event source SAFF
Country Great Britain
Record set Anglo-Boer War Records 1899-1902
Category Military, armed forces & conflict
Subcategory Boer Wars
Collections from Great Britain, UK None

It might be worth googling ‘National Archives Boer War’

Several potential results to check out.

Thanks you so much Argyllgran and +++DetEcTive+++ for your help here. Interesting that there are 3 of them:-)

As your grandfather lived in South Africa after the war, is it possible that he was the one who deserted at Cape Town?

Apologies if that's not the case!

Hello,

I am hoping not :-) but always possible. He married and carried on living in SA where he died in 1949. Not sure if he would have been taken to serious task if deserted.. Do you know if it depended which county in England they came from as to what regiment they would have been placed in?

As far as I know, sometimes it's a clue, but not always.

He may have joined one of the units who were recruited in South Africa - service records for them not online though

Thanks Annie I will keep sifting:-) Cheers

Have you tried the national archives

My grandfather was in the second Boar War and I got a full copy of his army record from them