Alexander James Ellis

[Thom15]

Alana Ellis! Thank you for joining

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[Alana Ellis]

My Grandfather Alexander James Ellis was in the Boar War and got the Queens South Africa Medal and three bars and later was recalled as a Special Reservist for the Great War (WW1) which he rejoined 14/06/1914, and then medically discharged on 10/06/1916. His number was 6312 and he was a Private.
I have a photograph of Alexander in the uniform after the Boar War and one in 1914. Where can I post them?

I don’t have any records of where he was in the Boar War or what the 3 Bars were for.
Can anyone help me with this?

He was born at 42 Kyffin Square, Bangor on 20th April 1875.

If any one has any information please contact me on: peterauliff@bigpond.com

Thankyou very much.

Alana Ellis

[ap1]

Hi Alana,

Welcome.

The individual bars indicate a particular operation or action the soldier was involved in. Can you tell us what bars are on medal?

We would be very happy to have your picture in the RWF Gallery. Follow the link below and load the picture into the relevant category.

http://www.rwf-forum.co.uk/pgallery/index.php

Hopefully someone in this forum may be able to guide you in finding out more about your relatives RWF service.

[Baconwallah]

Here is what I have:

Ellis, Alexander, 6312 Pte Born Bangor 17/04/1875. Miner. Prior service with RWF as 2425, joined c.1888, discharged TE. Boer War veteran (Queen's SA01 with Relief of Kimberley, Cape Colony, Transvaal bars). Enlisted 3 RWF 14/10/1914. Posted 2 RWF and landed 27/12/1914. Sick, oedematous feet, 21/01/1915, adm 4 G/Hosp. To UK 01/02/1915. Posted 3 RWF 30/04/1915. Transferred to 1 RWF 20/07/1915, joining Bn 22/09/1915. Sick, rheumatism, 10/10/1915. To UK 14/10/1915. Posted Western Command Depot 20/12/1915. Discharged MU 10/06/1916.

His service record still exists. If you PM me your e-mail address I'll send you the zipped files.

Hope this helps.

John

[ap1]

Interesting John.Alana.

I have a document that suggests that the Relief of Kimberly was only issued to the 2MI(Mounted Infantry). For an action dated the 15 Feb 1900.

Mounted Infantry (MI). A mounted infantry section of one officer and 25 was formed, and served with the 2nd Battalion MI. Its numbers rose to 50 or 60.

This perhaps gives you an indication of his role during the Boer War. Unless any other guys have a different perspective?

[Baconwallah]

A note on the bars issued:

Relief of KimberleyAll troops in the relief column under Lieut. General French who marched from Klip Drift on 15th February, 1900, and all the 6th Division under Lieut. General Kelly-Kenny who were within 7,000 yards of Klip Drift on 15th February, 1900.

Cape Colony
All troops in Cape Colony at any time between 11th October, 1899, and 31st May, 1902, inclusive, who had not received a clasp for a specific action in the Cape Colony, or the " Natal " clasp.

Transvaal
All troops in the Transvaal at any time between 24th May, 1900 and 31st May, 1902, inclusive who had not received a clasp for a specific action in the Transvaal.

South Africa 1901
All troops who served in South Africa between 1st January, 1901, and 31st December, 1901, both dates inclusive, who were not eligible for the King's South Africa Medal.

John

[ap1]

Hi Alana,

If the list below is correct, it is feasible that your relative was part of the 2 Mounted Infantry for some period of the conflict:

When the Royal Welsh Fusiliers mobilized for the South African campaign they were ordered to provide one section of Mounted Infantry. This section joined the Second Battalion of Mounted Infantry and came into action on the 21st of December, 1899, at Colesberg, where they fought under Major McCracken for seven days and nights, for the first thirty-six hours of which period they were without rations.
They then assisted the Kimberley relief column [relieved 15 February 1900]. From the 15th to the 19th of February they engaged General Cronje’s rear-guard, and were present during the fighting that resulted in the surrender of Cronje and his force [27 February 1900]. At the battle of Poplars Grove [7 March 1900] they formed part of the advanced-guard of General Kelly-Kenny’s division, and they also saw fighting at Driefontein [10 March 1900].


After the capture of Bloemfontein [13 March 1900] a column under General Broadwood was surprised and badly handled by a body of Boers and lost some guns [31 March 1900]; but the Mounted Infantry earned the thanks of General Broadwood for their gallantry. They were in the advance on Pretoria [occupied 5 June 1900], gaining “bars” for the actions at Johannesburg [31 May 1900], Diamond Hill [11–12 June 1900], and Wittebergen [1–29 July 1900], and were continuously employed until the end of the war [31 May 1902], one of their achievements being the capture of Commandant Erasmus [29 December 1901].

Campaign Medal – Bars to the Queen’s South Africa Medal
Of the twenty-six bars issued, men of the Regiment were eligible for the following:

Bar To Dates:
Cape Colony All 11 Oct 1899 - 31 May 1902
Natal All 11 Oct 1899 - 17 May 1900
Relief of Ladysmith 1st Bn 15 Dec 1899 - 28 Feb 1900
Tugela Heights 1st Bn 14 - 27 Feb 1900
Relief of Kimberly 2MI 15 Feb 1900
Paardeberg 2MI 17 - 26 Feb 1900
Orange Free State All 28 Feb 1900 - 31 May 1902
Driefontein 2MI 10 Mar 1900
Relief of Mafeking 1st Bn Det 17 May 1900
Transvaal All 24 May 1900 - 31 May 1902
Johannesburg 2MI 31 May 1900
Diamond Hill 2MI 11 - 12 June 1900
Wittebergen 1st Bn Det, 2MI 1- 29 July 1900

SOURCE: Lt Col Richard Sinnett

[Alana Ellis]

Thanks you all for all your help; it has been great to fill in the missing information on my grandfather. I have passed this info on to my cousin in New Zealand to update her records.

Alana (in Australia).