These are extracts from National Archives Ref WO 126/31 for the Boer War service records for selected names between COU and DY for the COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S BODY GUARD. There were a variety of standard forms and also many sections of the forms were not completed. As a result the details included vary.
transcribed by Rowena Wattrus
George Bryan COUCH
Reg. no. 22412
Age: 36, Height: 5 ft 8½, Chest: 42
Hair: Dark brown, Eyes: Blue, Complexion: Sallow
Religion: RC, Born: Belfast, Ireland
Trade: No trade
Previous service: RRF
Address: 206 PO Bulawayo
Next of kin: Sarah Couch, Address as above
Enlisted: Bulawayo 30 Oct 1900
WH COULTAS
Reg. no. 25131
Enlisted: Cape Town 3 Dec 1900
Rank: Corp Farr
Discharged as medically unfit 14 Aug 1901 after 255 days service
Character: Very good
Address after discharge: 92 Strand St, Cape Town
Age last birthday: 33 at 19 Jun 1901
Trade: Carpenter
Disease: Piles - States he has had this disease for about 12 years. Cause constitutional. Disease does not interfere with him except when riding. States his general health is good, but admits being a moderate beer drinker. States he had to sleep in wet blankets for over a fortnight whilst on active service. Refuses operation. Discharge for permanent unfitness.
Joseph W COWIE
Reg. no. 22614
Enlisted: East London 22 Nov 1900
Rank: Sergeant
Discharged as medically unfit 11 May 1901 after 171 days service
Character: Very Good
Address after discharge: Komgha, CC
Station: Convalescent Depot Elandsfontein 4 Apr 1901
Age last birthday: 35, Trade: Amalgamator
Had previously done 7 months service in Brabant's Horse viz 14 Jun - 14 Nov 1900
Disease: Chronic Dysentery. States that he contracted the disease in January 1901 when on active service at Kroonstad, ORC. He was in hospital (No. 16 General Hosp.) for 2 months. Has been in Convalescent Camp for 10 days v owning that time has had a recurrence of dysentery. At present full diet brings on diarrhoea. The disability was the result of climate & service.
Discharged for permanent unfitness.
Archibald CRAIG
Reg. no. 22682
Age: 35, Nationality: Scotch, Trade: Chef
Enlisted: 11 Nov 1900
Wife: Isabella Craig, 7 Angler St, Kim
Previous service: Transport
George P CRAIG
Artillery section
Reg. no. 22270
Enlisted: Cape Town 22 Nov 1900
Re transferred to CSA
Rank: Gunner
Discharged as time expired 21 May 1901 by St Col Chesney at Standerton after 191 days service
Character: Very good
Address after discharge: c/c Artillery, Cape Town
Thomas CRAIG
Reg. no. 22677
Age: 26, Nationality: English, Trade: Boiler Smith
Enlisted: 11 Nov 1900, Previous service: C Railway
Brother: James Craig, Star Office, J H Burg
William Albert CRASS
Reg. no. 22764, 288 squadron
Age: 33, Nationality: British, Trade: Miller
Enlisted: 26 Nov 1900
Next of kin: IL King, Molteno
Single
Allan James CRAWFORD
Age: 20, Nationality: Scotch, Trade: Draper
Enlisted: 22 Nov 1900
Mother: Mary Crawford, Graaf Reinet
Single
Discharged: 21 May 1901
Reg. no. 22623
WJ CREASEY
Reg. no. 25338
Enlisted: Cape Town 27 Dec 1900
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as time expired 10 Aug 1901 after 227 days service
Character: Very Good
Address after discharge: Mount Pleasant, Simon's Town near Cape Town CC
GC CROMPTON
Reg. no. 25702
Enlisted: Cape Town 24 Nov 1900
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as med unfit 19 Mar 1901 after 116 days service
Character: Very good
Address after discharge: 14 Bryant St, Cape Town
Marcus P CROSBIE
Reg. no. 22683
Age: 23, Nationality: C Colonial, Trade: Clerk
Previous service: KLH
Enlisted: 10 Nov 1900
Born: CC
Brother: FH Crosbie, Po De Aar, CC
Single
William Albert CROSS
Enlisted: East London 26 Nov 1900
Reg. no. 22764
Age: 33, Nationality: British, Trade: Driller?
Next of kin: JL King, Molteno
Henry Tansley [Thiebly] CROSSE
22416
Age: 27, Height: 5 ft 7¾, Chest: 38
Hair: Fair, Eyes: Blue, Complexion: Fair
Scar on left wrist
Religion: C E, Born: Quorn Lox?? [illegible]
Trade: Soldier
Previous service: Col Plumer '96
Address: P O Mafeking
Next of kin: Joseph L Cross, Quon: Luotersk???
Enlisted: Bulawayo 1 Nov 1900
HT CROSSE
Medical history
Hospital admission & discharge 2 Dec 1900 to 31 Dec 1900 for Alcoholism
HT CROSSE
Enlisted: Bulawayo 1 Nov 1900
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as time expired 4 Jun 1901 after 216 days service
Character: V Good
Address after discharge: GPO Cape Town, CC
Robert Godfrey CROSSLING
299 Squadron
Age: 22, Nationality: English, Trade: Fitter
Enlisted: 21 Nov 1900
Mother: GF Crossling, 66 Bay Terrace, Durban
Richard John CROUCH
Reg. no. 22741 (old) 27445 (new)
Age: 37, Nationality: British, Trade: Mechanic
Enlisted: 13 Nov 1900 Natal?
Sister: Mrs Getliffe, Lady Grey nr Aliwal North
Single
Harold CROWTHER
Reg. no. 22419
Age: 22, Height: 5 ft 8
Hair: Light, Eyes: Blue, Complexion: Fair
Born: Yorkshire, Previous service: Southern Rhodesian Regt
Address: Box 359, Bulawayo
Enlisted: Bulawayo 31 Oct 1900
Henry CULVERWELL
Reg. no. 22678
Age: 50, Nationality: British, Trade: Farmer
Born Somerset, Children: 3, Previous service: Service Guide
Wife: Mrs H Culverwell, Germinston, J H Burg
Lanark CUNNINGHAM
Reg. no. 22514
Age: 24, Nationality: English, Trade: Bricklayer
Enlisted: 8 Nov 1900
Wife: Mrs L Cunningham, 8 Gertruge St, Maritzburg
Dominik CUNIOLI
Reg. no. 25079
Age: 50, Nationality: Corrican, Trade: Engine Driver
Enlisted: 26 Nov 1900
Friend: Fernandez, Aletic Road, Claremont
David Henry CURRY
Reg. no. 27442
Previous service: None
Age: 18, Nationality: English, Trade: None
Enlisted: 29 Dec 1900
Father: George Currye, Howick, Natal
Single
James William CUTHBERTSON
Reg. no. 22740
Enlisted: 14 Nov 1900/1
Brother: Norman M Cuthbertson, P E Wine Association, Pt Elizabeth
Age: 25, Nationality: British, Trade: Clerk
Single
P DALY
Reg. no. 25151
Enlisted: Cape Town 1 Dec 1900
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as time expired 24 Jul 1901 after 236 days service
Character: Very Good
Address after discharge: No. 2 Wolf Building, Sir Lowry Road, Cape Town, CC
William Robert DALY
Reg. no. 22686
Age: 22, Nationality: Irish, Trade: Boiler maker
Enlisted: 11 Nov 1900
Previous service: Transport
Single
Father: Richard Daly, 13 Long St, Kimberley
William D'ATH
Age: 28, Nationality: English
Enlisted: 10 Nov 1900
Rank: Trooper
Discharged at own request 21 Dec 1900 after 42 days service
Address after discharge: Upcote, Wynberg
W DAVEY
Reg. no. 22158
Enlisted: Cape Town 10 Nov 1900
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as time expired 20 May 1901 after 192 days service
Character: Very good
Address after discharge: 33 Chapel St, Cape Town
Robt Melrose DAVIDSON
Age: 35, Height: 5 ft 10, Chest: 38
Hair: Grey, Eyes: Blue, Complexion: Dark
Religion: Protestant, Born: Scotland, Trade: Mason
Address: Orange Grove, Bulawayo
Next of kin: Wm Messer, 58 Sterling St, Galashiels, NB
Enlisted: Bulawayo 31 Oct 1900
C DAVIES
Reg. no. 22252
Arty secn
Crime: 24 Dec 1900 - Disobeying a lawful command given by a sup Officer. Awarded: Impri't without HL 6 months
Rank: Gunner
Discharged 23 Dec 1900 as services no longer required
John George DAVIES
Engineers
Reg. no. 25202
Age: 20, Nationality: Scotch, Trade: Engineer
Enlisted: 14 Dec 1900
Father: John Davies, YMCA, Cape Town
Single
William B DAVIES
Reg. no. 22329
Enlisted: Maitland 20 Nov 1900
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as time expired 22 May 1901 after 184 days service
Character: Very good
Address after discharge: c/o Mrs Coldrey, No. 4 Victoria Road, Woodstock, Capetown
HW DAVIS
Reg. no. 33648
Enlisted: Cape Town 26 Jun 1901
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as medically unfit by Regiment 8 Oct 1901 after 105 days service
Character: Very Good
Address after discharge: No. 2 Riebeck St, Cape Town, CC
Ambrose Parsons DAWE
Reg. no. 22619
Age: 27, Nationality: English, Trade: Clerk
Enlisted: 20 Nov 1900
Brother: RS Dawe, Aliwal North
Unmarried
Richard DAWKINS
Reg. no. 27361
Born: London
Age: 57, Nationality: English, Trade: Groom
Enlisted: Maitland Camp 26 Jan 1901
Friend: George Jones, Keils River Station, CC
Single
Archibald DEARY
Born: Glasgow
Previous service: Late Sergt Instructor Musketry 12 Lancers & 78m Brabants
Age: 37, Nationality: Scotch, Trade: Bootmaker
Enlisted: 22 Dec 1900
Wife: Catherine Deary, Market Sqr, Grahamstown
Discharged to the attached DRE
No children
David John DE BEER
Enlisted: King Williams Town 1 Jul 1901
Reg. no. 36108
Age: 19, Nationality: German (Nationalized English), Trade: Barber
Enlisted: 1 Jul 1901
Uncle: L De Beer, Graaffrenet
Single
Marten John [Johan] DE BRUYAN
Reg. no. 27512
Enlisted: Pretoria 2 Jan 1900
K squadron
Age: 18, Nationality: Irish, Trade: Cab driver
Born: Stellenbosch
Mother: EH Vos
John DELAHUNT
Enlisted: Maitland 20 Jan 1901
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as medically unfit 27 Jul 1901 after 199 days service
Character: Very good
Address after discharge: c/o W Delahunt, Montague CC
4 Jul 1901 - Convalescent Camp, Elandsfontein
Age: 20, Trade: Bricklayer
Disease/ Disability: Debility after enteric fever. States he contracted enteric fever in the beginning of April when on service at Johannesburg. He was in No. 6 Gen Hospital for over 8 weeks. His present condition is one of debility & cardiac irritability. His disability is the result of service & climate.
Discharged on account of permanent unfitness.
WM DE LA HUNT
Reg. no. 27346
Enlisted: Cape Town 20 Jan 1901
Rank: Corporal
Discharged as time expired 9 Sep 1901 after 234 days service
Character: Very good
Address after discharge: PO Montague, CC
Julius Joseph DEMNER
Enlisted: King Williamstown 2 Jul 1901
Reg. no. 36111
Age: 41, Nationality: German, Nationalized English, Trade: Shoemaker
Mother: Mrs E Demner, Stutterheim, CC
Wife: Mrs JJ Demner, Durban St, Sr Lowry
FH DERRY
Reg. no. 25607
Enlisted: 7 Jan 1901 Capetown
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as time expired 27 Jul 1901 after 202 days service
Character: Very good
Address after discharge: Box 200, Buluwayo
George DESPARD
British subject: yes
Previous service: Protectorate & ILH
Enlisted: Durban 9 May 1901
Age: 20, Height: 5 ft 4
Complexion: Fair, Eyes: blue, Hair: fair
Next of kin: R Despard, Commercial Hotel
Address: Johannesburg
Edward John DEVINE
Reg. no. 22424
Age: 29, Height: 5 ft 8, Chest: 34
Hair: Light, Eyes: Blue, Hair: Fair
Religion: RC, Born: London, Trade: Billard marker
Address: PO Bulawayo
Enlisted: 30 Oct 1901 Bulawayo
George Henry DEVLIN
Reg. no. 22426
Age: 31, Height: 5 ft 11½, Chest: 38
Hair: Brown, Eyes: Gray, Complexion: Medium
Religion: RC, Born: Port Elizabeth, Trade: Accountant
Address: Port Elizabeth
Next of kin: SN Devlin, Colesberg, Cape Colony
Enlisted: Bulawayo 31 Oct 1900
Thomas DEXTER
Enlisted: Cape Town 7 Dec 1900
Reg. no. 25552
Rank: Sergeant
Discharged as time expired 28 Jun 1901 after 204 days service
Character: Very good
Address after discharge: 42 Ebenezer Road, Cape Town
Alfred James DEWBERRY
British subject: Yes
Previous service: ILH
Enlisted: P M Burg 8 May 1901
Born: Barnett, Essex 30 Sep 1867
Trade: Engineer, Height: 5 ft 7¼, Weight: 10 st 4
Complexion: Dark, Eyes: Brown, Hair: Brown, Chest: 37
Wound on left thigh. Slight scars right leg
Size of head: 6 7/8, Size of foot: 7
Wife: Mrs Dewberry, No. 9 Macfarline St, PM Burg
D DINGWALL
Enlisted: Maitland 12 Nov 1900
Reg. no. 22157
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as time expired 20 May 1901 after 190 days service
Character: V good
Address after discharge: c/o JA Dingwall, PO Telegraph Dep, Johannesburg
WH DOBSON
Reg. no. 25122
Enlisted: 3 Dec 1900
Rank: Sergeant
Discharged as medically unfit 8 Feb 1901 after 68 days service
Character: Very good
Address after discharge: Kent Villa, Kent St, Salt River, CC
22 Jan 1901 - Elandsfontein
Age: 25, Trade: Superintendant, ?Dept, Woodstock
Disease/ Disability - Myopia - Probably congenital. Presently short sighted, unable to shoot, and not fit for field service.
Discharged on grounds of permanent unfitness.
J DONOHUE
Reg. no. 25783
Enlisted: Cape Town 14 Dec 1900
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as time expired 1 Jul 1901 after 200 days service
Character: Very good
Address after discharge: 13 Caledon St, C Town
L DOOLING
Reg. no. 22687
Enlisted: Kimberley 10 Nov 1900
Rank: Trooper
Discharged on disbandment of Regiment 25 Sep 1901 after 320 days service
Character: Very Good
Address after discharge: GPO Capetown CC
AM DOREHILL
Reg. no. 25402
Enlisted: Maitland 17 Dec 1900
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as time expired 21 Jun 1901 after 187 days service
Character: Very good
Address after discharge: 91 Bree St, Cape Town
James DOUGLAS
Born: Cyphergat
Previous service: Nil
Enlisted: Port Elizabeth 11 Jun 1901
Reg. no. 34792
Age: 18, Nationality: English, Trade: Carrier
Mother: Mrs J? Douglas, Faviy Street, P Elizabeth
Single
AA DOVETON
Enlisted: Cape Town 14 Dec 1900
Reg. no. 25500
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as time expired 28 Jun 1901 after 197 days service
Character: Fair
Address after discharge: 46 Roeland St, Cape Town
George Richard DOWNEY
Reg. no. 22684
Re-attested 26 Apr 1901
Frederick DOWSE
Born: Dundee, Scotland 1862
Previous service: BMI 12½ months, Frontier L Horse 2½ years
Trade: Baker, Height: 5 ft 6¼, Weight: 150 lbs
Eyes: Blue, Hair: Dk Brown, Tatooed on breast
Address: PO Durban
Brother: Thomas, PO Durban
Enlisted: 19 Nov 1900 Durban
W DOYLE
Reg. no. 25101
Enlisted: Cape Town 29 Nov 1900
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as time expired 4 Jul 1901 after 216 days service
Address after discharge: 10 Jardaan St, Cape Town
Arthur DRUMMOND
Reg. no. 25620
Enlisted: Maitland 8 Jan 1901
Age: 21, Nationality: English, Trade: Tobacconist
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as time expired 27 Jul 1901 after 201 days service
Character: Very Good
Address after discharge: 26 Riebeck Square, Cape Town
A DU BOIS
Enlisted: Durban 26 Dec 1900
Rank: Q M Sergeant
Discharged as time expired 26 Jun 1901 after 183 days
Character: Very good
Address after discharge: PO Durban
Fritz DUBOIS
Reg. no. 22685
Age: 34, Nationality: English, Trade: Architect
Enlisted: 14 Nov 1900
Next of kin: FT Dubois, Langmore, Teddington on Thames, England
Single
Previous service: I Y
Frederick Digby DUNBAR
Reg. no. 22524
Born: St Thomas, Exeter 17 May 1869
Previous service: Royal Horse Guards 5 years
Occupation: None, Height: 6 ft, Previous service: 11 st 7
Eyes: Brown, Hair: Brown, Scar on back of head
Address: Beach Hotel, Durban
Sister: Sarah Selina, Preis Henlle, Shropshire
Enlisted: Durban 19 Nov 1900
Alexander DUNCAN
Reg. no. 22328
Age: 42, Nationality: English, Trade: Engineer
Enlisted: 20 Nov 1900
Wife: Mrs A Duncan, 18 Duke St, Walman Estate, Woodstock
Robert DUNCAN
Re- enlisted: 26 Apr 1901
Age: 21, Nationality: Cape Colony, Trade: Fireman
Next of kin: Jane Duncan, 57 Transvale Rd, Kimberley
Robert D DUNCAN
Reg. no. 22688
Age: 19, Nationality: Scotch
Enlisted: 11 Nov 1900
Mother: Mrs Duncan, 57 Transvaal Rd, Kim
Norman DUNN
Reg. no. 27543
Previous service: None
K Squadron
Age: 18, Nationality: English, Trade: Draper
Enlisted: Durban 10 Jan 1901
Father: WA Dunn, Umgeni, Durban
Single
Norman DUNN
Re-attested: 25 Jun 1901 Johannesburg
Aunt: Mrs Dunn, Stamford Hill, Durban, Natal
K Squadron
John DURHAM
Reg. no. 22427
Age: 47, Height: 5 ft 6, Chest: 38
Hair: Fair, Eyes: Grey, Complexion: Fair
Tatoo on right wrist
Born: Bolton, England, Trade: Miner
Previous service: 80th Rg M R F
Address: Chester Bess Hall, Bulawayo
Next of kin: Ellen Durham, No. 12 Milk St, Bolton, England
Enlisted: Bulawayo 31 Oct 1900
W DUTHIE
Rank: Trooper
Reg. no. 25547
Enlisted: Cape Town 22 Dec 1900
Discharged as time expired 1 Jul 1901 after 192 days service
Character: Bad
Address after discharge: G P O Cape Town
Claude Green DYSON
Reg. no. 22525
Born: Guildford, England 1862
Previous service: B M I 12½ months
Trade: Electrician, Height: 5 ft 6, Weight: 150 lbs
Eyes: Grey, Hair: Dk Greyish, Tatooed heart on left arm
Address: PO Durban
Brother: J B, Fort Brokurst, Gosport
Enlisted: Durban 19 Nov 1900