These are extracts from National Archives Ref WO 126/35 for the Boer War service records for selected names starting with B for DAMANT'S HORSE (formerly known as RIMINGTON'S GUIDES). 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
Joseph Antonio BARENDELLA
Reg. no. 40063
Religion: R C, Age: 40, Nationality: Italian, Trade: Tent maker
Height: 5 ft 7, Weight: 155 lbs, Chest: 37
Complexion: Dark, Eyes: Dk Brown, Hair: Black
Enlisted: 14 Jan 1902 Kimberley
Wife: C Barendella, Windsorton, CC
JR BARRATT
Age: 32, Nationality: English
Enlisted: 12 Nov 1899
Sister: Mrs Walker, Walmer Rd, P Elizabeth
Crimes: 9 Apr 1900 Absent without leave from 16 Feb 1900 to 4 Mar 1900. Awarded - Fined 5 days pay, discharged from corps as worthless.
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as worthless 19 Apr 1900 after 122 days
Character: Bad
Henderick BASSON
Enlisted: Bloemfontein 2 Sep 1901
Age: 17, Nationality: Dutch
Mother: Maria Basson, Refugee Camp, Bloemfontein
Arthur BAYTOPP
British subject
Previous service: UMP 3 mos time ex
Enlisted: Durban 15 Aug 1901
Age: 24, Height: 5 ft 7½, Weight: 135 lbs
Complexion: Dark, Eyes: Grey, Hair: Brown
Father: A Baytopp, Pinetown, Natal
Born: Umzinto, Alexander, Natal
Trade: Contractor
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as time expired 17 Feb 1902 after 187 days service
Character: Very good
Address after discharge: Pine Town, Natal
Albert Lindsay BEALE
Reg. no. 32659
Enlisted: Kimberley 25 May 1901
Age: 32, Nationality: Colonial, Trade: Clerk
No relatives
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as time expired 5 Dec 1901 after 192 days service
Character: Good
Address after discharge: Monkhoff, Kloof Street, Capetown
Jacob BECKER
Reg. no. 35140
Enlisted: East London 31 Jul 1901
Age: 25, Nationality: British, Trade: Moulder
Father: H Becker, Aliwal North
Single
Born in South Africa
E Godfrey BENNETT
Age: 23, Nationality: English, Trade: Farrier
Enlisted: 13 Oct 1899
Brother: H Bennett
Executor: F Will, Colsburg
28 Oct 1899 promoted to Corporal
3 Jul 1900 promoted to Sergeant
Herbert BERESFORD
Reg. no. 1
Enlisted: Heilbron 11 Sep 1901
Age: 19, Nationality: Colonial, Trade: Photographer
Father: H Beresford, Heilbron
Single
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as time expired 25 Mar 1902 after 196 days service
Character: Good
Address after discharge: PO Box 35, Heilbron
Charles Henry BETTLINGER
Age: 31, Nationality: English, Trade: Police
Enlisted: 20 Oct 1899
Mother: Mrs H Muller, East London
Crime: 15 Mar 1900 - Absent without leave from 5 pm 15 Mar 1900 to 9 pm 15 Mar 1900 - Awarded: Admonished
Ranker: Trooper
Discharged as time expired 7 Feb 1901 after 475 days service
Character: Very Good
Address after discharge: c/o Thomas McGrath, Argyll St, East London
Richard Henry BIRCH
Age: 44 (43 on re-enlistment), Nationality: Colonial, Trade: Farmer
Enlisted: 6th Mar 1901
Re-enlisted: 18 Apr 1902 Klerksdorp
Wife: Lily Birch, Baure St, Aliwal N. or Lady Grey Aliwal N or Bank St, Aliwal N
Height: 5 ft 11, Weight: 170 lbs,
Complexion: Dark, Eyes: Hazel, Hair: Dark
Born: Queenstown, CC
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as time expired 9 Oct 1901 after 218 days service
Character: Good
John BIRNEY
Age: 31, Nationality: English
Enlisted: 23 Jan 1900
Wife: Mrs Birney, Somerset House, Roland St, C Town
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as medically unfit 7 Apr 1900 after 65 days service
Character: Fair
Alexander BISSET
Reg. no. 35139
Enlisted: East London 31 Jul 1901
Age: 18, Nationality: British, No trade
Father: AC Bisset, Cove Rock, East London
Single
Born in South Africa
Rank: Trooper
Discharged on disbandment of corps 15 Oct 1902 after 1 yr and 78 days service
Character: Exemplary
Address after discharge: Cove Rock, West Bank, East London
Thomas BLACKBURN
Reg. no. 40261
Religion: Presbyterian, Age: 38, Nationality: British, Trade: Lineyer
Previous service: BSAP for 2 years 1 day
Height: 5 ft 6, Weight: 10 st 8, Chest: 37
Complexion: Ruddy, Eyes: Blue, Hair: Light
Enlisted: 4th Feb 1902 Kimberley
Wife: MA Blackburn, Berea, Durban
Corneilous BLOMQUEST
Enlisted: Kimberley 3 May 1901
Reg. no. 32598
Age: 18, Nationality: Colonial, Trade: Cab driver
[Signed name with X]
Father: Able Blomquest, 88 Long St, Kimberley
Single
John J BLOOM
Reg. no.7
Age: 17, Nationality: Colonial, Trade: Farmer
Enlisted: 12 Sept 1901
[Signed name with X]
Mother: Mrs M Bloom, Kroonstad
Wm Malcolm BORTHWICK
Reg. no. 41835
Religion: C of E, Age: 20, Nationality: Col.
Height: 5 ft 3, Weight: 120 lbs, Chest: 33½
Complexion: Fair, Eyes: Blue, Hair: Fair
Mother: Mrs H Borthwick, 99 DuToitspan Rd, Kimberley
Enlisted: 13 Mar 1902 Kimberley
Single
No previous service
JH BOTHA
Enlisted: Heilbron for Jagersfontein Rd 15 Jan 1902 for 24 Jul for 1901
Thomas BOTHA
Reg. no. 34917
Enlisted: Kimberley 11 Jun 1901
Age: 34, Nationality: Colonial
Mother: A Botha, 71 Transvaal Rd, Kimberley
Single
W BOTHA
Reg. no. 53
Enlisted: Jagersfontein Rd 24 Jul 1901
Age: 21, Nationality: Colonial, Trade: Farmer
Father: JH Botha, Tromslag
Jacob BOTHMA
Enlisted: Springfontein 1 Aug 1901
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as time expired 20 Mar 1902 after 232 days service
Character: Good
Address after discharge: Belmont Rly Station, CC
Petrus Fredrick BOUWER
Reg. no 50
Enlisted: Frankfort/Parys ORC 11 Oct 1901
[Note form is severely water damaged]
Age: 28, Nationality: Colonial, Trade: Farmer
Wife: PM Bouwer, Refugee Camp, Kroonstad
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as time expired 10 Jun 1902 after 243 days service
Character: Very Good
Address after discharge: Parys, ORC
Arthur Edward BOWKER
Age: 22, Nationality: British, Trade: Carpenter
Height: 5 ft 6, Chest: 35
Complexion: Fresh, Eyes: Blue, Hair: Brown
Two bullet scars middle of back
Enlisted: 4 Oct 1901 Bloemfontein
Rank: Corporal
Transferred to Supey list 11 Mar 1902 after 159 days service
Character: Very Good
Address after discharge: Woodville, Dist Georgetown, CC
Thomas BRADLEY
Religion: RC, Age: 21, Nationality: Irish, Trade: Cooper
Previous service: DEOUR 6 H DS for 27 months
Height: 5 ft 6, Weight: 135 lbs, Chest: 35
Complexion: Fair, Eyes: Blue, Hair: Light
Reg. no. 41931
Enlisted: 29 Mar 1902 Kimberley
Brother: M Bradley, Cape Town
Single
Henry Gabriel Frederick BRAIN
Reg. no. 34898
Enlisted: Kimberley 6 Jun 1901
Sister: Mrs Hadlow, Durban, Natal
Age: 31, Nationality: Colonial, Trade: Transport
John Baxter BRAND
British subject, No previous service
Enlisted: Durban 21 Jan 1902
Age: 18, Height: 5 ft 8, Weight: 135 lbs
Complexion: Fair, Eyes: Lt blue, Hair: Lt Brown
Father: Mr E Brand, Durban
Born in Durban
Trade: Plumber
Fredrick BREDA
Religion: C of E, Age: 20, Nationality: Colonial, Trade: Fitter
Previous service: Rhodesia Regt C & C Body gd for 23 months
Height: 5 ft 6½, Weight: 130 lbs, Chest: 36
Complexion: Fair, Eyes: Brown, Hair: Brown
Enlisted: 24 Jan 1902 Kimberley
Mother: Mrs C Breda, PO Box 534, Kimberley
Single
"FC Van Breda"
John BREDENKAMP
Reg. no. 34923
Enlisted: Kimberley 12 Jun 1901
Age: 22, Nationality: Colonial, Trade: Clerk
Mother: EJ Bredenkamp, 19 Transvaal Rd, Kimberley
Single
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as time expired 24 Dec 1901 after 196 days service
Character: V Good
Nicholas Phillipus BREET
Enlisted: Bloemfontein 13 Aug 1901
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as time expired 20 Mar 1902 after 22 days service
Character: Good
Address after discharge: Smithfield, ORC
Age: 18, Nationality: Dutch, Trade: Farmer
Address of relative: Tweefontein, Caledon River
Fred BREMAN
Age: 42, Nationality: English, Trade: Msel? Engineer
Enlisted: 12 Oct 1899
Wife: Mrs Breman, Central Road, Fordsberg
18 Oct 1899 promoted to S Major
Bertie Ottwill BRISSENDEN
Age: 20, Nationality: English, Trade: Clerk
Enlisted: 17 May 1901
Mother: c/o E Lloyd, Main St, Port Elizabeth
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as time expired 28 Nov 1901 after 196 days service
Character: Good
Johannes Nicholas BRITZ
Reg. no. 32605
Enlisted: Kimberley 4 May 1901
Age: 24, Nationality: Colonial, Trade: Cab driver
Father: RJ Britz, Griquatown
Single
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as time expired 5 Nov 1901 after 186 days service
Character: Good
Address after discharge: 24 Innis St, Kimberley
Robert BROMLEY
Age: 20, Nationality: English
Enlisted: 23 Jan 1900
Father: R Bromley, Rondebosch, Cape Town
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as time expired: 31 Jan 1901 after 1 yr and 8 days service
Character: Good
George BROTHERTON
Address: Cyphergat
Age: 21
Years in SA: 21
Rides, shoots and talks Dutch and Kaffir
Knowledge of particular district: Tarkastad Albert
Special qualifications: Good education, Farmer
References: 1) E King, Cyphergat, 2) Mr Wakeford, 3) Hayward, Molteno
Enlisted: 14/16 Oct 1899
Occupation: Farmer
Nationality: Colonial
Father: RH Brotherton
Albert James BROWN
Reg. no. 42056
Religion: Wesl, Age: 17, Nationality: Colonial, Trade: Carpenter
No previous service
Height: 5 ft 5, Weight: 140 lbs, Chest: 35
Complexion: Fair, Eyes: Hazel, Hair: Brown
Marks: Thistle R forearm
Enlisted: 4 Apr 1902 Green Point
Mother: Mrs E Brown, Grand Hotel, Kimberly
Single
Harry Henry BROWN
British subject, No previous service
Enlisted: Durban 19 Aug 1901
Age: 23, Height: 5 ft 11, Weight: 154 lbs
Complexion: Fair, Eyes: Blue, Hair: Fair
Mother: Mrs A Brown, c/o Mrs Holding, Durban
Born: Newcastle on Tyne, Northumberland
Trade: Engine Driver
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as time expired 17 Feb 1902 after 183 days service
Character: Very Good
Address after discharge: 167 Palmer St, Durban
Steven BROWN
Age: 42, Nationality: English
Enlisted: 7 Nov 1899
Wife: Mrs SS Brown, Cathcart, CC
6 Dec 1899 - Wounded on leg
Thomas BROWN
Age: 17, Nationality: Colonial, Trade: Clerk
Reg. no. 2
Enlisted: Heilbron 11 Sep 1901
Mother: M Brown, c/o G Gloss, Heilbron
Single
George Frederick BRYAN
British subject
Previous service: Imperial Light Infantry
Enlisted: Durban 23 May 1901
Age: 26, Height: 5 ft 7, Weight: 130 lbs
Complexion: Dark, Eyes: Brown, Hair: Dark Brown
At back of above page re George Frederick BRYAN
Peter McGREGOR
Born: Dundee 2nd March 1864
No previous service
Occupation: Seaman
Address: GPO Durban
Sister: J McGregor, 6 Church Street, Durban
James Nichallson BRYMER
Reg. no. 40062
Religion: Weslyan, Age: 39, Nationality: Col, Trade: Blacksmith
Served in Conductor for 17 months
Height: 5 ft 8, Weight: 150 lbs, Chest: 38
Complexion: Ruddy, Eyes: Blue, Hair: Light
Enlisted: 14 Jan 1902 Kimberly
Father: Jas Brymer, PO Johannesburg, Transvaal
Single
William BUDD
Age: 34, Nationality: Colonial, No trade
Enlisted: 24 Aug 1899
Wife: Mrs W Budd, 88 Caledon St, Cape Town
Crimes: 8 Feb 1900 - Improper conduct of Reveille - fined 2/6 - OC Sqdn
Rank: Trooper
Discharged on completion of service 31 Oct 1900
Character: Very Good
Address after discharge: 88 Caledon St, Cape Town
John BULFIN
Age: 32, Nationality: English
Enlisted: 23 Oct 1899
Next of Kin: PA Grojan, Walford Hotel, Uitenhage
23 Oct 1899 - Promoted Farrier Sergeant
1 Jan 1900 - Killed at Colesburg
James William BURGESS (Sergt)
British Subject
Previous service: ILI 1 year 169 days - time expired
Age: 25, Height: 6 ft, Weight: 154 lbs
Complexion: Fair, Eyes: Grey, Hair: Light brown
Size of foot: 8, Size of head: 21 inches
Born: Calcutta, India '76
Previous service: I L I 1 year 169 days - time expired
Trade: Mining Engineer
Address: GPO Durban
Brother: EJ Burgess, Customs Dept, Pretoria
Enlisted: Durban 8 May 1901
Rank: Sergt
Discharged as time expired 5 Dec 1901 after 217 days service
Character: Very Good
F BURTON
Age: 30, Nationality: English, Trade: Harness Maker
Enlisted: 20 Oct 1899
Sister: Mrs Jupp, Wardon St, Oxford St, London W
Rank: Trooper
Discharged as time expired 31 Jan 1901 after 1 yr 104 days service
Character: Good
Knowledge of?: Main roads Kimberly to Jhn bg and Kimberly to Pretoria - thoroughly
Years in SA: 10
Rides, Shoots, but does not speak Dutch or any native language
Previous service: Major Willoughby' Column, Matabele War in active service, earned no medals
Knowledge of particular district: S W Transvaal
References: 1) Manager Rose Deep Mine Joh Bg, 2) Baldwin Buldwin Chambers, Commissioner St, Joh bg
Cannot provide own horse
John James BUSSCHAU
Age: 32, Nationality: Colonial
Enlisted: 20 Feb 1900
Mother: Mrs Ellen Busschau, c/o John Bratley, Produce Merchant, Beaconsfield, Kimberley
Rank: Sergt
Discharged as time expired 21 May 1901 after 458 days service
Character: Exemplary
Address after discharge: c/o The Criminal Investigation Department, Johannesburg