Souvenir Saturday: Singer Sewing Machine Advice 1940s

Scottish ancestors and their occupations

A fascinating post from Christine Woodcock about Scottish genealogy - especially occupations:

http://genealogytoursofscotland.blogspot.co.za/2017/09/understanding-ancestor-occupations.html

A mill powered by water from the Clyde.

The brig Thorne and the American Ship Panther at Plettenberg Bay, July 1831

South African Commercial Advertiser 7 July 1831

Note that the brig Thorne was reportedly the ship on which Captain William Bell was serving in the capacity of '2nd Officer’ according to one source, but this is uncomfortable terminology for a merchant ship of Thorne’s type and size (251 tons) in the 1830s. Usually such a vessel would have the following crew structure: Master, Mate, 2nd Mate, Carpenter, 6 seamen, 2 Apprentices. Nevertheless it appears that Bell was on board the Thorne in 1834 i.e. at the time of her wreck and that this was when he decided to remain at the Cape. 

See molegenealogy.blogspot.co.za/2013/06/coastal-ships-mariners-and-visitors_28.html

Elandslaagte memorials at Nambiti Game Reserve

The charge: Battle of Elandslaagte

At Nambiti Private Game Reserve the northern gate is appropriately known as Memorial Gate. Nearby, memorials to both British and Boer soldiers who fell in the Battle of Elandslaagte, 21 October 1899, can be found. 

Elandslaagte was a defeat for the Boers following a brutal cavalry charge by the British, where lances were used against the enemy. Boer prisoners were taken and marched through the streets of Ladysmith, which town was soon to be under siege from 2 November 1899 to 27 February 1900.

Memorials at Nambiti are featured below, including to the Gordon Highlanders killed at Elandslaagte and to the 1st Btn Manchester Regiment.

Photos by E and S Dixon-Smith