TOPIC:

My Great Grandfather Ignatius William Charles van Wyk (Wijk)and his wife where in the Boer war. At the time my Great Grandmother Agnes van Wyk nee Ross was living outside Elsburg probably on a farm. She and her children move into town where the British troops commandeered her house. I have tried to find if Agnes van Wyk and children landed up in concentration camp but I came up blank. So what could of happened to her? Agnes her husband and children all survived the war.

Ignatius William Charles van Wyk was in the veldko.... can not make out the rest.

Can any body help with more information Thanks.

Your Great Grandfather was a Veldkornet in the Boksburg Commando and was awarded both the officer's decoration (Dekoratie voor Trouwe Dienst - DTD), and the general service medal (Anglo-BoereOorlog medal - ABO).

You should try contacting the Boksburg Historical Association to find out more about the Boksburg Commando. I have a booklet entitled 'The Incredible Saga of the Boksburg Commando' by George Mills, which was published by the Boksburg Historical Association in 2000. There is a monument to the Commando in the local Dutch Reformed Church with the names of the both the men who died in the war and those who died later. I W C van Wyk's name should be on the memorial.

Regards
Brett

Thanks a lot Brett for the info it is very interesting. I always had a feeling that my Great Grand father was an interesting man. I will contact the Boksburg Historical Association.

There is one more thing I.C.W van Wyk was a Captian in the British army in Eastern Cape fighting the Xhoza's about 1865 I have a picture of him in uniform, how and where do I find more info? Thanks.

Your ggf is likely to have taken part in the Eastern Cape's Frontier Wars of the period 1877 to 1879, although the Xhosas may well have been troublesome in the 1860's as well.

There are medal rolls for all the units that took part in these Frontier Wars and, although it would take time, a check of them should reveal your ggf's name. I think it is more likely that he served in a Colonial unit, and there were many, although Imperial regiments (i.e. British army) were also involved. Unfortunately, I no longer have a copy of these rolls but, if no other help is forthcoming, I will borrow a copy and check for you.

Do you have any of your ggf's medals? The relevant one for 1877-79 would have his regiment's name inscribed on the rim.

It might help, but it would in any case be interesting, to see the picture you mentioned.

Regards
Brett

Gentlemen,
WO100/50 shows a Private W Van Wyk in the Cape Mounted Rifles and a Trooper W C Van Wyk in the 2nd Cape Mounted Yeomanry.

I do not have any of his medals and have no idea were they are. But here is a the photo of I.C.W