TOPIC:

Hi D

Thanks for keeping up with information on the Stevens' family history. If you have not already done so, a visit to the S A Trigonometrical Survey office in Mowbray might provide answers about farm names and boundaries, as well as dates of boundary changes. Like so many other organisations in South Africa, the Trig Survey may recently have changed its name and service ethic, but it is probably worth a visit anyway.

When last I visited Weenen a few years ago, the museum was closed and seemed to have been so for some time. The town itself has become very run down. The irrigation furrows laid out by the early settlers in the 1800's were not being maintained, so irrigation of the small-holdings that are the lifeblood of the town must now be difficult or impossible.

Regards
Brett

No, I have not as yet tried them Brett. I will make enquiries, thanks for that.

Re: Weenen and Museum , yes it is closed most of the time I believe! I do not think it gets many visits, so maybe having a dedicated curator is not worth the salary??. I seem to remember my brother was lucky enough to stay overnight and arranged a visit to look through it the next day! and saying they have a few medals in there too! It is not a museum of grand scale it is rather humble according to my brother. I am in contact with someone there, but only through snail mail unfortunately. May I suggest if you are ever planning a visit to phone the Weenen Municipality and arrange for someone to open it on your arrival. The folk in Weenen are very hospitable and super friendly and will go out of their way to help you, I feel sure of this.
The locals are very proud of the little town, this was my impression, so I am very sad to hear of things being run down as much as this.

W.P. Stevens



Warrant Officers and Sergeants, Natal Carbineers. Colenso Camp 1909

Hi D & Brett,

I have a QSA in my collection to-
151 Tpr F Stevens, Natal Carbineers. Clasps Tug Hts, RoL, Trans & L Nek.
Is he the uncle of the other Stevens'?
A very interesting topic, well researched.

Cheers,

Jim

Hi Jim

Yes I think you are right I think the medals you have are connected to the Uncle Tpr Frank Stevens the youngest son of my GG/grandfather. I have a thick book I am wading through on the family history, but had to push forward a chapter or two to get to his details, it takes some reading of a family tree, things are not always where you think they should be?. Unfortunately his number is not listed here in the book, at least I have not found it yet!. It just states in the section I read "He served as a trooper on Relief Column with the Natal Carbineers during the Anglo Boer War. He was awarded three medals- for Isandlwana, Majuba and Rorkes Drift, Frank served in the same regiment as his nephews, William Powell, Barnard John and Francis Nienaber Stevens".
I will try to confirm it, once I find it thanks. I think it is though, as they would have all enlisted at the same time ?? that number 151 is very close to the other number's ?? Is this how things usually worked re: the numbers ??, not something I have paid much attention to in the past I must say!
Thanks for the post
Dawn

If there are any relevant details on Tpr Frank that would be of any value to you Jim Re: connection to the medals, let me know. He did not die in the war !
Thanks for sharing the fact that they are still intact, looked after and appreciated, by yourself. It is a sickening thought that medals have been known to be no longer intact and in fact lost forever. I would love a photograph of them for the family tree, I am not sure if I am asking you for something I should actually not ask for ? I thought I would chance my arm anyhow

Dawn