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Edward Charles Pysden

Farrier Sergeant, South African Constabulary – Anglo Boer War
Constable, Transvaal Police
Regimental Farrier Sergeant, 4th South African Mounted Rifles – WWI

- Queens South Africa Medal (CC/OFS/TVL/SA 1901 & 1902) to 3446 FARR: - SERJT. E.C. PYSDEN. S.A.C.
- 1914-15 Star to SJT E.C. PYSDEN 4TH S.A.M.R.
- British War Medal to SJT E.C. PYSDEN. 4TH S.A.M.R.
- Victory Medal to SJT E.C. PYSDEN. 4TH S.A.M.R.
- Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas Long Service & Good Conduct Medal to NO.1450 F SJT E.C. PYSDEN. S.A.M.R.

Edward Pysden was born in Thanet, Kent on 16 September 1881 the son of Edward Pysden, a Blacksmith by trade, and his wife Mary, born Muir. He was baptised on 2 December 1881 at which point the family were living at 7 Charles Square, Thanet.

According to the 1891 England census a 9 year old Charles (his names Charles and Edward appear to have been interchangeable) was at home in Lords Cottages in the village of Ore near Hastings, along with his parents and his siblings George (7); Albert (2) and baby Mary (5 months). Mr Pysden was described as a Shoeing Smith and it was in his father’s footsteps that Charles Edward was to follow in terms of a career choice in later years.

By the time the 1901 England census came round the family had moved to 109 High Street in St. Clements, a part of Hastings. Charles Edward was a 19 year old Shoe Smith and Doorman still at home. A few months later he answered the call to arms and, on 11 June 1901 enlisted with the South African Constabulary for service in the Anglo Boer War. This war had already been raging for the better part of 20 months by the time Pysden graced the Recruiting Office in Westminster with his presence.

For some obscure reason he claimed to have been born on 16 September 1879 – a full two years before the actual event took place. This might have been to strengthen his case when applying for the position as the recruiting requirements were notoriously strict. Whatever the case may have been he stated that he was 22 years old and a Farrier by trade. Physically he had blue eyes, dark brown hair and a fresh complexion with no physical infirmities and “no organic mischief” detected in his body development. Claiming that he was able to ride, shoot and swim he was signed on at the rate of 5/- a day and the rank of 3rd Class Trooper with no. E3446.

Having set sail for South Africa he was deployed to E Division – the Orange River Colony – which had already been subjugated to British rule since the fall of Bloemfontein in March the previous year.


A typical SAC Farrier at work

The South African Constabulary were, unlike most other Police Forces, a para-military organisation. Aside from their policing duties they were required to fight alongside their regular army and Colonial comrades in combat situations. Especially in an environment where the Boers were roaming the countryside trying to evade the net that Lord Roberts had woven for them. This took Pysden from the Orange River Colony to the Transvaal and back again, participating in many of the relentless “drives” orchestrated by the British to bring the Boers to heel.

The war over on 31 May 1902 he elected to stay on with the SAC, based primarily at Hoopstad in the O.R.C., re-engaging every three years until, on 15 August 1908 he was discharged from their employ after 7 years and 6 days service on Reduction of Establishment with a conduct rating of Exemplary. He immediately re-enlisted with the Transvaal Police on 24 August 1908 and continued his career in uniform, being absorbed into the 4th Regiment of the South African Mounted Rifles on 1 April 1913 (with no. 1460) when they were established as a replacement for all policing structures when the South African Military was reorganized, post the formation of Union in 1910. The eight day break in service was allowed to be deemed as Special Service in order that he might retain his pension benefits.

He had married an Afrikaans girl, 17 year old Hester Catherina Jacobs at Senekal in the Orange Free State on 12 March 1906 whereupon the couple set about raising a family with their first-born seeing the light of day at Hoopstad in 1906 where he was stationed at the time.

Pysden’s calling as a Farrier placed him in a handy position for promotion – the first, to 2nd Class Trooper coming on 1 December 1901 to be followed by that to Farrier Sergeant on 6 December 1902. This last promotion was short-lived as, on the same day it came into effect he was found guilty of Drunkenness and reduced to 3rd Class Trooper again.

All the while he had been transferred almost throughout the length and breadth of the Orange River Colony – to the Depot in Bloemfontein on 1 December 1901 and to No. 4 Troop based at Zand River Sub-Division on 1 March 1903. From there he moved to the Veterinary Section of the Depot on 1 July 1904 and then to Winburg on 1 July 1905 with a final posting to Hoopstad on 1 July 1906. Having sat an examination, he was awarded £5 in June 1907 for his ability in the Dutch language – his marriage to Hester seems to have paid dividends in that regard.


Rank insignis of a Farrier Sergeant

Whilst with the Transvaal Police Pysden became the subject of a Court of Inquiry. Convened at Marshall Square Charge Office, Johannesburg on 28 September 1911 ‘for the purpose of enquiring into the injury to No. 1979 (F) Constable E.C. Pysden who is suffering from “Amputation of finger”’

The evidence given by Pysden was, “I am a member of the T.P. stationed at Hospital Hill, Johannesburg District. About eighteen months ago I was on duty at His Majesty’s Theatre and whilst helping to evict a man I got my hand jammed in the door in the gallery. Since that time a swelling has been coming up on my little finger of the left injured hand. Three weeks ago I had my finger examined by the District Surgeon who ordered me to hospital where I was admitted on the 9th September last and the finger was amputated. The finger has now healed.” The Board were satisfied with the statement and the matter was closed.

Once with the S.A.M.R. the promotions started to flow again – to Corporal on 1 September 1913 and to Acting Farrier Sergeant on 1 October 1913 – this was to coincide with an appointment as Regimental Farrier Sergeant on the same day.

Not long after, on 4 August 1914, the Great War erupted on the world stage. As a serving member of the S.A.M.R. it followed that Pysden would be pressed into service. Once more, as a qualified and experienced Farrier, his services were in much demand. On one particular occasion he was “Mentioned in Dispatches” (informally) when, at Gibeon in German South West Africa on 4 September 1915 (three months after the campaign in G.S.W.A. was officially over) Captain Wadlow of the S.A.V.C. (to whom Pysden had been seconded) wrote:

“I beg to report to you in accordance with instructions received from the Director Veterinary Services Windhuk I inspected Horses-Mules of A, B and C Squadrons 4th South African Mounted Rifles at Gibeon- Krantzplaats yesterday 1st instant. Taken as a whole, the animals, I consider are in a very good condition and I think that much credit is due to Farrier Sergeant Pysden who has been considerably handicapped for want of drugs etc.”


A posed group of S.A.M.R. Farriers

Having returned from South West Africa he was the subject of a Medical Report in respect of an Invalid – this was convened at Pretoria on 30 May 1917 and related to an attack of Malaria he suffered whilst on duty at Manakundi in Ovamboland. In the Statement of Case it was said that,

“He states he first had Malaria at the above place in February. Several attacks at Albrechts since – not treated in hospital. Came to Pretoria on 19.4.1917 on 35 days ordinary leave, which expired on 24 May. He has had several attacks of fever in Pretoria. Attended by the D.S. Last attack commenced the 24th instant and terminated today 24th May.

Pysden was back in the spotlight in 1918, again the subject of a Court of Enquiry. On this occasion it was convened in Pretoria on 6 April 1918 for the purpose of enquiring into how he sustained injuries to his right shoulder. He gave evidence as follows:

“I am the Farrier Sergeant of the 4th Regiment, South African Mounted Riflemen and stationed at Pretoria. At about 3 p.m. on the 26th March 1918 I was engaged in branding “B” Squadron horses. Whilst handling horse D496, the animal reared and in coming to the ground struck me on the right shoulder with it’s near fore foot. I reported sick on the 28th idem and remained on the sick report until 8 April 1918 when I returned to full duty.”

Again, this was enough for the Board members who concluded that there had been no negligence on Pysden’s part.

All of the aforementioned incidents meant that Pysden was nearing the end of his career with the S.A.M.R. – he put forward a request to be medically Boarded in 1922 and, after some debate, his request was acceded to and he was placed on Pension with effect from 1 August 1922.

For his efforts in German South West Africa he was awarded the 1914-15 Star; British War Medal and Victory Medal to go along with his Boer War Medal and the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal already awarded to him.

Now out of uniform Pysden retired to Durban in Natal, taking up employment with the S.P.C.A. with whom he was the Superintendent of the Dog’s Home. He passed away on 25 September 1942 at the age of 61 and whilst living at 85 Sydney Road, Durban. He was survived by his wife and six children.