TOPIC:

I have been told that one of my ancestors was wounded whilst serving on a ship in the Boer War. His surname was Gilbert - first name possibly Patrick or Daniel (Not sure!). He originated from Wexford. I have looked on Forces War Records, and can see about a dozen men with the surname Gilbert who served on ships during the Boer War, but none with an initial P or D (although my informant isn't certain about the first name....)
Is there a way of getting a bit more info to narrow down my searching without paying for a month's Forces Records membership? Would the Forces Records info show place of birth, or any other information, or are these just medal rolls? If I went to Kew, would there be more information available there?
Many thanks
Julia

Hello Julia,
I should go to Kew and take a careful look at the Registers of Seamens Services in ADM188, Service Certificates in ADM73 and also after looking at the already mentioned, I would also want to inspect any relevent Log Books in ADM53 and the very attractive Ships Muster Books which are in ADM36-39, ADM41, ADM115 and ADM119.
Welcome to this forum and good luck if you decide to proceed.
Regards Frank

Hello Julia

There is no sailor with the surname Gilbert on the casualty rolls for the Anglo-Boer War.

The ADM188 records Frank refers to can be searched and downloaded on-line for a fee: [url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/royal-naval-seamen.htm[/url]

From my experience of FWR you won't see anything you can't get elsewhere either for free or cheaper.

Regards
Meurig