Some time, in the 1970s all James' medals were stolen from a house of his relatives in Oakville, Ontario.
A substantial reward is offered to anyone who can - anonymity guaranteed - provide information that will lead to the recovery of these medals.
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Wanted - Boar War Board Gaming Information - 1900 |
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Wanted - The Missing Bugle - 1861 |
 From time to time we get calls from around the world from people looking for memorabilia, pictures, or information. We will post interesting items hoping that we may be able to find some and connect them to interested parties. |
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| Do you know where we can find...? | Descriptive Information | |
Solid Silver Bugle, enclosed in a case of Tasmanian lightwood, manufactured by Walch of Melbourne, Australia
This is NOT the bugle for which we are searching, but an example of what the bugle for which we are looking, MIGHT look like. It is also an 1861 silver bugle presented by a ladies group to a regiment. |
Enclosed in a case of Tasmanian lightwood was manufactured by Walch of Melbourne, and bears the following inscriptions: (On shield, surrounded with wreath, Rose, Shamrock and Thistle), Ducit Amor Patria When the “Bucks” were disbanded in 1863, the events of which are another story, the silver bugle was held by the Adjutant, Lieutenant H.E. Smith. Some 38 years later Mr Smith requested permission from the Minister of Defence that the bugle be presented to the First Contingent, prior to their departure to South Africa. This request was granted on the 26th October 1899, where in Franklin Square, Hobart, Mrs Dodds, wife of the acting Governor presented the silver bugle (which was handed to her by Mr H.E. Smith) to Captain C. St. C. Cameron for the bugler of the Contingent. The silver bugle was then engraved with the following inscription: Presented to the Tasmanian contingent by Bugle taken to Boer War but at this time of writing the bugle cannot not be traced in Tasmania. |
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| Great Canadian Heritage Treasure |
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| Game Board, Briton and Boer, 1900 | |
Orig. board - Size - 31 x 31 cm |
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The colour patterns are intriguing, with the Boer's Transvaal Republic and the Portuguese territory being treated with grey and pink blocks while British Cape Colony and the Boer Orange Free State share a colour pattern. It cannot be because the game was published after Lord Roberts took Bloemfontein, OFS, because the name of the Free State was changed from the Boer original which the game still displays. Presumably a set of dice and some kind of moveable counters were involved. But on which squares and how? It is intriguing to mull over how the larger background blocks might be used in conjunction with the two sets of smaller grids...
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How this game was played is not known. If you know, why not tell us so we can share with others? |
Wanted Info - Pvt. W. Calver 4628 - 16th Lancers - KIA - 10-9-01 |
One of the lonely graves still out on the veldt in South Africa is that of Pte. W Calver of the 16th Lancers, died on Sep 10, 1901.
Most of the single graves in South Africa were collected and centralized in the 1960s and 70s.
The owner of the property the grave is on would like any info you may have on Trooper Calver and the event where he lost his life. Some reports say he died in an accident...
The Soldier Who Was Lost And Found
Rose Willis
The Prince Albert Road Cemetery, where Private Calver is buried, is difficult to find. It used to be near the main road, but then the N1 was built. Now, while not far from the N1, it is hidden behind some koppies on the Prince Albert side of the railway line.
The grave is on the farm Goeiemoed, which belongs to Mr TO Slabbert. This farm is on the main road to Prince Albert.
Both the old road and railway station have fallen into disuse. In fact, the road, once part of the proud Cape to Cairo route was last used so very long ago that its traces have now almost disappeared. Private Calver was killed accidentally in 1901 and was buried in this little cemetery. His grave is made up with flat Karoo stones and is marked by a Guild Cross. Oddly enough 92 years after his death he became quite famous as a search was mounted to find this cemetery. It was due to the concerted efforts of Ronnie Joubert, owner of the North and South Hotel, that it was found. He asked virtually every local who crossed his threshold if they had seen a war grave in the area.
There are about forty other graves in the cemetery. Almost none have headstones. The Guild Cross bears this inscription:
For King and Empire
F W Calver, No 4628 16th Lancers
Died 10 September 1901
The graveyard is part of the veld – it has no fence, nor gate. It has become part of the Karoo.
Can you shed any light on the life and death of Pvt. W Calver?