Other Family Histories Archives - Page 2 of 3

A.J. Montgomery: Part 8 – Mounted Infantry Actions in the Eastern Transvaal

By Dean McCleland in Other Family Histories 21 September 2018 0 Comment

A member of the 10th Hussars and a survivor of the sinking of the SS Ismore near Paternoster, Arthur John Montgomery recounts his part in the successful routing of the Boer forces in the Orange Free State and the Transvaal. In this episode Arthur Montgomery recalls his part in the mounted operations against the Boers subsequent to the victory at Diamond Hill north east of Pretoria in the Transvaal.

AJ’s narrative has been edited for readability and grammar, but it still largely remains the voice of the author narrating his impressions, concerns and fears while providing vivid images of war.

Main picture: Painting of A.J. Montgomery of the 10th Hussars

A.J. Montgomery: Part 7 – From the Vaal to the Battle of Diamond Hill

By Dean McCleland in Other Family Histories 18 September 2018 0 Comment

A member of the 10th Hussars and a survivor of the sinking of the SS Ismore near Paternoster, Arthur John Montgomery recounts his part in the successful routing of the Boer forces in the Orange Free State and the Transvaal. In this episode Arthur Montgomery recalls his part in the attack on Diamond Hill north east of Pretoria in the Transvaal.

Main picture: Painting of A.J. Montgomery of the 10th Hussars Continue reading

A.J. Montgomery: Part 6 – Skirmishes through the Free State to the Vaal

By Dean McCleland in Other Family Histories 17 September 2018 0 Comment

A member of the 10th Hussars and a survivor of the sinking of the SS Ismore near Paternoster, Arthur John Montgomery recounts his part in the successful routing of the Boer forces in the Orange Free State and the Transvaal. In this episode Arthur Montgomery recalls his part in the various skirmishes after the defeat at Sanna’s Post 16 miles outside Bloemfontein, all the way to the Vaal, thereby occupying the Free State.

AJ’s narrative has been edited for readability and grammar, but it still largely remains the voice of the author narrating his impressions, concerns and fears while providing vivid pictures of war across the dry, dusty and wind-swept plains of the Free State

Main picture: Painting of A.J. Montgomery of the 10th Hussars

A.J. Montgomery: Part 5 – The Deadly Ambush at Sanna’s Post

By Dean McCleland in Other Family Histories 16 September 2018 0 Comment

A member of the 10^th Hussars and a survivor of the sinking of the SS Ismore near Paternoster, Arthur John Montgomery recounts his part in the successful routing of the Boer forces in the Orange Free State and the Transvaal. In this episode Arthur Montgomery recalls his part in the attack on Sanna’s Post 16 miles outside Bloemfontein. Instead of success, the ambush by the Boers claimed countless lives and an ignominious retreat.

AJ’s narrative has been edited for readability and grammar, but it still largely remains the voice of the author narrating his impressions, concerns and fears while providing vivid pictures of war with Imperial Forces being decimated by Boers in front of the waterworks at Sanna’s Post.

Main picture: Painting of A.J. Montgomery of the 10th Hussars

A.J. Montgomery: Part 4 – The Relief of Kimberley

By Dean McCleland in Other Family Histories 16 September 2018 0 Comment

A member of the 10^th Hussars and a survivor of the sinking of the SS Ismore near Paternoster, Arthur John Montgomery recounts his part in the successful routing of the Boer forces in the Orange Free State and the Transvaal. In this episode, Arthur Montgomery recalls his part in the Relief of Kimberley.

AJ’s narrative has been edited for readability and grammar, but it still largely remains the voice of the author narrating his impressions, concerns and fears while providing vivid images of war with Imperial Forces still using swords and lances against the wily Boers with their superior fieldcraft using Mausers.

Main picture: Painting of AJ Montgomery of the 10th Hussars

A.J. Montgomery: Part 3 – Baptism of Fire at the Battle of Colesberg

By Dean McCleland in Other Family Histories 14 September 2018 0 Comment

A member of the 10^th Hussars and a survivor of the sinking of the SS Ismore near Paternoster, Arthur John Montgomery recounts his part in the successful routing of the Boer forces outside Colesberg during January 1900 with the cavalry still using swords and lances aginst the Boers’ mausers.

AJ’s narrative has been edited for readability and grammar, but it still largely remains the voice of the author narrating his impressions, concerns and fears during his baptism of fire outside the dusty hamlet of Colesberg in the northernmost part of the Cape Colony.

Main picture: Painting of A.J. Montgomery of the 10th Hussars

Port Elizabeth of Yore: The Sherman Family

By Dean McCleland in Other Family Histories 18 July 2017 4 Comments

Over the past century and a half, a number of members of the Sherman family have left their mark on the Friendly City. This blog serves to record these long forgotten individuals. Finally their connection to the McCleland family is made.

Main picture: Howard Sherman 1861-1935

Gilbert Curtis Billson

By Dean McCleland in Other Family Histories 3 June 2017 0 Comment

Gilbert Curtis Billson was born on 22 April 1884, the youngest of 7 children born to George Curtis Billson & Alice Mary (nee Quick), the previous 3 siblings all having died in infancy.

Main picture: Gilbert Curtis Billson

George Dix-Peek: Port Elizabeth’s First Architect [1839-1901]

By Dean McCleland in Other Family Histories, Port Elizabeth of Yore 12 August 2016 0 Comment

A lasting legacy has been left by George Dix-Peek in his adopted town of Port Elizabeth in the form of some well-known buildings. Ironically his grandson, Milton Dix-Peek, also had ambitions of becoming an architect but WW2 intruded in his studies. Sadly, after the war he did not resume his studies.

Main picture: George Dix-Peek circa 1874 in colonial military attire

Caroline Frieda Dix-Peek – Granny Dix to the Grandchildren

By Dean McCleland in Other Family Histories 22 April 2016 2 Comments

I do not really recall much about Granny Dix as I was about twelve years old when she died. Notwithstanding that, I have vivid memories of her house from the stuffed animal head and a veritable herd of animal horns on the walls of the huge back veranda to the huge loquat tree in the stony back yard.

Main picture: Granny and grandpa Dix-Peek at 37 East Bourne Road Port Elizabeth

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Category Archives: Other Family Histories

A.J. Montgomery: Part 8 – Mounted Infantry Actions in the Eastern Transvaal

A.J. Montgomery: Part 7 – From the Vaal to the Battle of Diamond Hill

A.J. Montgomery: Part 6 – Skirmishes through the Free State to the Vaal

A.J. Montgomery: Part 5 – The Deadly Ambush at Sanna’s Post

AJ’s narrative has been edited for readability and grammar, but it still largely remains the voice of the author narrating his impressions, concerns and fears while providing vivid pictures of war with Imperial Forces being decimated by Boers in front of the waterworks at Sanna’s Post.

A.J. Montgomery: Part 4 – The Relief of Kimberley

A.J. Montgomery: Part 3 – Baptism of Fire at the Battle of Colesberg

A member of the 10^th Hussars and a survivor of the sinking of the SS Ismore near Paternoster, Arthur John Montgomery recounts his part in the successful routing of the Boer forces outside Colesberg during January 1900 with the cavalry still using swords and lances aginst the Boers’ mausers.

AJ’s narrative has been edited for readability and grammar, but it still largely remains the voice of the author narrating his impressions, concerns and fears during his baptism of fire outside the dusty hamlet of Colesberg in the northernmost part of the Cape Colony.

Port Elizabeth of Yore: The Sherman Family

Gilbert Curtis Billson

Gilbert Curtis Billson was born on 22 April 1884, the youngest of 7 children born to George Curtis Billson & Alice Mary (nee Quick), the previous 3 siblings all having died in infancy.

George Dix-Peek: Port Elizabeth’s First Architect [1839-1901]

A lasting legacy has been left by George Dix-Peek in his adopted town of Port Elizabeth in the form of some well-known buildings. Ironically his grandson, Milton Dix-Peek, also had ambitions of becoming an architect but WW2 intruded in his studies. Sadly, after the war he did not resume his studies.

Caroline Frieda Dix-Peek – Granny Dix to the Grandchildren

AJ’s narrative has been edited for readability and grammar, but it still largely remains the voice of the author narrating his impressions, concerns and fears while providing vivid pictures of war with Imperial Forces being decimated by Boers in front of the waterworks at Sanna’s Post.

A member of the 10th Hussars and a survivor of the sinking of the SS Ismore near Paternoster, Arthur John Montgomery recounts his part in the successful routing of the Boer forces outside Colesberg during January 1900 with the cavalry still using swords and lances aginst the Boers’ mausers.

AJ’s narrative has been edited for readability and grammar, but it still largely remains the voice of the author narrating his impressions, concerns and fears during his baptism of fire outside the dusty hamlet of Colesberg in the northernmost part of the Cape Colony.

Gilbert Curtis Billson was born on 22 April 1884, the youngest of 7 children born to George Curtis Billson & Alice Mary (nee Quick), the previous 3 siblings all having died in infancy.

A member of the 10^th Hussars and a survivor of the sinking of the SS Ismore near Paternoster, Arthur John Montgomery recounts his part in the successful routing of the Boer forces outside Colesberg during January 1900 with the cavalry still using swords and lances aginst the Boers’ mausers.