These are extracts from National Archives Ref WO 126/98 for the Boer War service records for selected names starting between A and C for the ORANGE RIVER SCOUTS (NEYLANS ORANGE RIVER IMPERIAL SCOUTS). 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
Arthur ANNETT
Reg no. 36138
Religion: C of E, Age: 29, Nationality: English, Trade: Gentleman
Previous service: Johannesburg Mtd Rifles and QRV for 6 and 3 months
Height: 5 ft 8, Weight: 170 lbs, Chest: 36
Complexion: Pale, Eyes: Grey, Hair: Dark
Mother: Mrs Annett (Mrs Egan) c/o Dr Egan, King William's Town
Single
Enlisted: 1 April 1902 King William's Town
James ASTLE
Reg. no 26517
Age: 45
Previous service: C D F for 12 months
Height: 5 ft 5, Weight: 130 lbs, Chest: 35
Complexion: Dark, Eyes: Brown, Hair: Dark
Enlisted: 21 Apr 1902, Queenstown
Signed name with X
Father: Palgrove, Queenstown
Single
Claude BARRABLE
Reg. no 201
Age: 19, Trade: Engine Cleaner
Previous service: D M T for 9 months
Height: 5 ft 9, Weight: 135 lbs, Chest: 35
Complexion: Sallow, Eyes: Grey, Hair: Light
Scar above right eye, Scar under chin
Enlisted: 22 Apr 1902 Burghersdorp
Next of Kin: Harriet Barrable, Molteno
Single
Rank: Trooper
Discharged on disbandment of regiment 30 Jun 1902 after 2 mths 9 days
Character: Good
Address after discharge: c/o Mrs H Barrable, Molteno, CC
Thomas Benjamin BELLS
Religion: C of E, Age: 33, Nationality: Irish, Trade: Railway foreman
Previous service: MMR 9 m, Irish Reg for 15 months
Height: 5 ft 7, Weight: 140 lbs, Chest: 38
Complexion: Fresh, Eyes: Blue, Hair: Brown
Enlisted: 7 Apr 1902 Green Point
Sister: Mrs J Scott, Gordon Hill House, Bedford St off Observatory Road, Cape Town
Single
Franz Petrus BESTER
Religion: C of E, Age: 30, Nationality: Colonial, Trade: Mason
Previous service: Hershel Mounted Vol , DMR for 6 months, Cape Police 5 years, 7 months
Height: 6 ft, Height: 145 lbs, Chest: 33
Complexion: Dark, Eyes: Brown, Hair: Brown
Enlisted: 15 Mar 1902 Bethulie ORC
Brother: Tony Bester, Tarkastad
Single
Born: Cradock 18 Feb 1872
Rank: Trooper
Discharged due to disbandment of regiment 30 Jun 1902 after 3 months 17 days
Character: Good
Address after discharge: Tarkastad
Louis BEZUIDENHOUT
Reg. no. 42223
Age: 18, Nationality: Dutch, Religion: Protestant, Trade: Farmer
Height: 5 ft 7, Weight: 150 lbs, Chest: 36
Complexion: Dark, Eyes: Brown, Hair: Brown
Enlisted: 20 Mar 1902 Nankey
Father: Mr Gert Bezuidenhout, Loerie River, Uitenhage Dist
Single
Rank: Trooper
Discharged on disbandment of corps 30 Jun 1902 after 3 m 11 days
Character: Good
Born: Uitenhage 11 Mar '83
Sidney John BOWLES
Reg.no. 41686
Age: 18, Nationality: British, Trade: Farmer, Religion: Wesleyan
Previous service: Gorringers F Column for 3 months
Height: 5 ft 10, Weight: 155 lbs, Chest: 34
Complexion: Fair, Eyes: Brown, Hair: Fair
Enlisted: 10 Mar 1902 East London
Father: Mr WM Bowles, Necrea Farm, West Bank, East London
Single
Rank: Trooper
Discharged on disbandment of corps 30 Jun 1902 after 3 mths service
Character: Good
Born in East London 15 May 1884
Henry William BOWLES
Reg. no. 41685
Age: 21, Nationality: British, Trade: Farmer, Religion: Wesleyan
Height: 6 ft 1, Weight: 160 lbs, Chest: 34
Previous service: Gorringes F Column for 3 months
Complexion: Fair, Eyes: Grey, Hair: Fair
Enlisted: 10 Mar 1902 East London
Father: Mr WM Bowles, Neera Farm, West Bank, East London
Single
Rank: Trooper
Discharged on disbandment of corps 30 Jun 1902 for 3 mths 2
Character: Good
Born in East London 15 Jun 1881
George Henry BOYCE
Age: 26, Nationality: British, Religion: C of E, Trade: Locomotive fireman
Height: 5 ft 5½, Weight: 144 lbs, Chest: 35
Eyes: Grey, Hair: Brown
Enlisted: 11 May 1902 East London
Father: Mr GH Boyce, Born in Vicksling? England
Previous service: 7 Months Queenstown R Vols, 6 months Dordiecht D T Guard
Edward Charles BROOKS
Reg. no. 41684
Age: 30, Nationality: British, Religion: Wesleyan, Trade: Farmer
Previous service: Cape Police for 6 months
Height: 5 ft 8¼, Weight: 170 lbs, Chest: 40
Complexion: Dark, Eyes: Grey, Hair: Hair: Brown
Enlisted: 10 Mar 1902 East London
Mother: Mrs Margaret Brooks, Post Office, Fort Jackson, CC
Single
Born in King Wms Town
Ernest BROWN
Reg. no. 41984
Age: 18, Nationality: Colonial, Trade: None, Religion: C of E
Complexion: Fresh, Eyes: Hazel, Hair: Brown
Distinctive marks: K E K B on R forearm
Height: 5 ft 8, Weight: 140 lbs, Chest 38
Enlisted: 15 Apr 1902 Green Point
Mother: Mrs B Brown, Masonic Hotel, Worcester, CC
Single
Rank: Trooper
Discharged on disbandment of corps 30 Jun 1902 after 3 months
Character: Good
Address after discharge: as above
Hermann BRENSCHEIDT
Reg. no 42997
Religion: C of E, Age: 27, Nationality: Colonial, Trade: Farmer
Height: 5 ft 5, Weight: 124 lbs, Chest: 34
Complexion: Fair, Eyes: Brown, Hair: Brown
Enlisted: 18 Apr 1902 Green Point
Friend: Mrs E Alder, c/o Wale and Long St, Cape Town
Single
Melville BRUNETTE
Age: 18, Nationality: English, Religion: Protestant, Trade: Farmer
Previous service: C D F for 11 months
Height: 5 ft 9, Weight: 145 lbs, Chest: 36
Complexion: Light, Eyes: Blue, Hair: Light
Enlisted: 19 Mar 1902 Nankey
Father: Mr James Brunette, Quagga - Humansdorp
Single
Rank: Trooper
Discharged on disbandment of corps 30 Jun 1902 after 3 months and 13 days service
Character: Good
Born in Griqualand West 25 May 1884
Albert George CHRISTENSEN
Reg. no. 42046
Religion: C of E, Age: 19, Nationality: English, Trade: None
Previous service: P W L H for 7 months
Height: 5 ft 9, Weight: 145 lbs, Chest: 36
Complexion: Fresh, Eyes: Grey, Hair: Fair Marks: Butter Fly on R Arm
Enlisted: 4 Apr 1902 Green Point
Father: Capt Christensen, Fairhaven, Mouile Point, Cape Town, CC
Single
Rank: Corporal
Discharged on disbandment of corps 30 Jun 1902 after 2 months 27 days
Born: Margate, Eng 29 Sept 1882
Johannes COETZEE
Reg. no. 200
Age: 19, Nationality: European
Enlisted: 24 Apr 1902 Burghersdorp
Father: Johannes Coetzee, Odendaalstroom, CC
Rank: Trooper
Discharged on disbandment of corps 30 Jun 1902 after 3 months 7 days
Character: Good
Nicolas COETSEE [COETZEE]
Age: 21, Nationality: European
Enlisted: 24 Apr 1902 Burghersdorp
Father: Johannes Coetzee, Odendaalstrrom, CC
Rank: Trooper
Discharged on disbandment of corps 30 Jun 1902 after 2 months 7 days
Character: Good
Wentzel Christoffel COETZER
Reg. no 42213
Religion: R Refd, Age: 31, Nationality: Colonial, Trade: Clerk
Height: 5 ft 10, Weight: 128 lbs, Chest: 33
Complexion: Fresh, Eyes: Blue, Hair: Brown
Enlisted: 8 Mar 1902 Bethulie ORC
Wife: Johanna Augustina Coetzer, The Roux Garlake, Tarkastad
Born: Cradock 28 Aug 1870
Rank: Trooper
Discharged on disbandment of corps 30 Jun 1902 after 3 months 24 days
Character: Good
Martin COETZEE
Reg. no. 42194
Age: 17, Nationality: Col Dutch, Religion: Dopper, Trade: Farmer
Height: 5 ft 10, 165 lbs, Chest: 35
Complexion: Fair, Eyes: Blue, Hair: Fair
Enlisted: 15 Mar 1902 Burghersdorp
Father: Hendrick Coetzee, Tokai, Cape Town
Single
Nicolas Jacobus CORY
Reg. no. 41760
Age: 21, Nationality: British, Religion: C of E, Trade: Farmer
Previous service: Transkei M Rifles for 3 months
Height: 5 ft 11¾, Weight: 175 lbs, Chest: 36½
Complexion: Fresh, Eyes: Hazel, Hair: Brown
Enlisted: 1 May 1902 East London
Father: Mr WMG Cory, Kongha, CC
Single
Rank: Trooper
Discharged on disbandment of corps 30 Jun 1902 after 2 months
Character: Good
Born in Kongha
George COWEN
Reg. no 253
Age: 35, Nationality: British, Trade: Clerk
Previous service: I I I for 6 months
Height: 5 ft 10, Weight: 145 lbs, Chest: 38
Complexion: Fair, Eyes: Blue, Hair: Brown
Enlisted: 10 Apr 1902 Queenstown
Will deposited with: Revd Father Cowen, Matatiele, East Griqualand
Rank: Trooper
Discharged on disbandment of corps 30 Jun 1902 after 2 mths 21 days
Born: Mauritius 17 Oct 1866