SIDLEY BLOG No 5

An unlikely hero continued

I was sent the following maps from Anthony Stimson, Chairman of the South Australian Boer War Association, after he read Sidley Blog No 3. His great, great uncle Edward Marston published these maps of  Groenkop in the early 1900s in The Times history of the war in South Africa, 1899-1902.

Tweefontein and Groenkop courtesy Anthony Stimson

The map shows the tents for the 53rd Company. These were sited opposite the side of the kopje where De Wet’s men surprised the camp on the night of 24/25th December 1901. This could explain why George Sidley survived the raid.

There is now a memorial on the top of the hill. These photos taken by Anthony Stimson in 2013 show the site where the Boers attacked from the right.

I believe that the 11th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry returned to Britain on the Troopship Cunard S.S. Aurania after cessation of military actions. The Aurania was allocated the number 20 as one of the ships used for troop transport from 1900 to 1902.

The Aurania had carried Australian troops back from South Africa to Sydney and arrived on the 5th June 1902. She subsequently left Albany in Western Australia on the 25th June, of the same year, for Durban. A newspaper report stated that 500 troops from Durban were then disembarked at Capetown due to overcrowding on S.S. Aurania on August 15th.

From all accounts this ship was very uncomfortable and was never very popular. She was purported to be a badly rolling ship so it was most likely an unforgettable journey home for the troops.

This is a photo of S.S. Aurania from the Norway Heritage website.

On the 20th August on board the S.S. Aurania, Commanding Officer of the 11th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry Lieutenant Colonel R. B. Firman signed a document listing the names of soldiers entitled to medals. George Thomas Sidley, No. 34309, was awarded the Queen’s South Africa medal with clasps for South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902, Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal. He received his discharge at Aldershot on 3 September 1902 and was issued with his medal on 30 September 1902. He lived at 6 Coningsby Road in Ealing at this time.

National Archives WO 100/125 page 151

I do not know who has George’s original medal so I purchased a replica and have worn it with pride in Adelaide's Anzac Day March whilst marching with other Boer War Descendants. I would like to find out more about the 53rd Battalion's exploits in Transvaal, Orange Free State and Cape Colony.

  

SIDLEY BLOG No 6 continues the story of George and his life after return from South Africa.