Wednesday 24 February 2010

Pte. Frederick Haynes, 2nd Dragoons.


Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps "Cape Colony", "Driefontein", "Transvaal" & "Paardeberg".
King's South Africa Medal with clasps "South Africa 1901" & "South Africa 1902".
3899 Pte. F. W. Haynes, 2nd Dragoons.

Frederick William Haynes, a 23 year old labourer, born in Findern, just outside Derby, joined the 2nd Dragoon Guards at Canterbury on 6th July 1892, signing on for 7 years with the Colours and 5 years in the Reserve. His Service Papers record him as being 5' 7" tall, weighing 133lbs and having a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair with scars on the forehead and back of the head. He served with his regiment at home and then in India from 24th January 1893 till 26th October 1894, during which time he was awarded his first Good Conduct Pay. Following this, he served over two years in Egypt, returning to the UK in November 1896. In July 1898, he was awarded his second Good Conduct Pay and in July 1899, on completion of 7 years service, he transferred to the 1st Class Army Reserve.
Following the outbreak of the Boer War, he was recalled to the Colours on 13th November 1899 and posted to the 2nd Dragoons (Scots Greys). The next day, he married Edith Ann Read but had little time to enjoy married life, being sent to South Africa the following month. Frederick served with the 2nd Dragoons in South Africa from 28th December 1899 till 20th March 1903, earning the two medals pictured above. He returned to the UK in March 1903 and was finally discharged from the army on 5th July 1904, having completed 12 years service.

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