Lance Corporal A Gillings vs Gittings - 1st Worcesters
Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 2:13 pmI am a military historian and battlefield guide based in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Last week, while in the Free State town of Ficksburg, I came across the grave of Lance Corporal A Gillings - the same as my surname (which is not all that common) of the 1st Worcesters. The date of death is shown as 11th February 1901.
According to the list of casualties on the website, a L/Cpl Gittings died of disease in this area.
The metal cross on his grave clearly states that his surname is Gillings.
Will it be possible to check the Regimental records? If necessary, I can ask the South African Agency of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (which is now tasked with maintaining military cemeteries where there is a minimum of 10 graves) to amend the name. I have a photograph of the cross should you require it but am not certain if it can be posted onto this site. I can e-mail it to you if you wish.
Kind regards, Ken Gillings
According to the list of casualties on the website, a L/Cpl Gittings died of disease in this area.
The metal cross on his grave clearly states that his surname is Gillings.
Will it be possible to check the Regimental records? If necessary, I can ask the South African Agency of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (which is now tasked with maintaining military cemeteries where there is a minimum of 10 graves) to amend the name. I have a photograph of the cross should you require it but am not certain if it can be posted onto this site. I can e-mail it to you if you wish.
Kind regards, Ken Gillings