Robert Walter DIVES [15656]

  Research Notes:

Robert first travelled to South Africa to fight in the second Boer War.
Image Courtsey Image courtsey http://www.kentfallen.com/PDF%20REPORTS/CANTERBURY%20BOER.pdf Robert is in the second row down, third from left.

Robert Walter Dives
Service number4534
RankPrivate
RegimentImperial Yeomanry
Literary referencesThe National Archives WO128. Imperial Yeomanry, Soldiers' Documents, South African War.
NotesThe Queen's South Africa (QSA) Medal Clasps: Wittebergen, Cape Colony, South Africa 1901
UnitsUnit: 53 Imperial Yeomanry Company (East Kent), Rank: Private, Number: 4534
CountryGreat Britain
Record setAnglo-Boer War records 1899-1902
CategoryArmed forces & conflict
Record collectionBoer Wars
Collections fromUnited Kingdom
Ref: Findmypast.com.au

His was a volunteer company which joined the 14th Battalion and arrived in South Africa on 29 March 1900. He was awarded the silver Queens South Africa Medal, with a 'State Bar' clasp for the Cape Colony and a 'Battle Bar' clasp for Wittebergen. The Company returned in 1901. (The medals are still in the possession of the family)
Ref: M Dives 2015.

In 1902 Robert and his brother Edgar returned to Southern Africa as recruits for the British South Africa Police force in Rhodesia formed by Cecil Rhodes after the Matabele Rebellion.

Passage London to Cape Town
Mr Robt W Dives Gender: Male Age: 24 Birth Date: abt 1878 Departure Date: 21 May 1902 Port of Departure: London, England Destination Port: Cape Town, South Africa Ship Name: Ruapehu Master: F Mayoss

Robert became a Native Commissioner in Rhodesia for Que Que (now Kwe Kwe) a huge area including Gokwe, up to the Zambezi River and along it as far as the Bantonka Tribe. Most of it was Tsetse Country, and as a result they had walk and use porters. His wife Hilda accompanied him twice a year, later also his young family, who were carried by the porters.
(The Batonka still have legal right to smoke marijuana and were, most certainly, cannibals in Robert Dives day.)
Robert became ill at the end of his life and the family moved to Salisbury for his treatment.
Ref: Romy 2014

  Other Records

1. Census: England, 3 Apr 1881, Beddington Croydon SRY. Robert W is recorded as a son aged 4 a scholar born St Marys Cray KEN

2. Census: England, 5 Apr 1891, Fernbank Wallington SRY. Robert W is recorded as a son aged 14 born St Mary Cray KEN

Robert married Hilda Bessel KNIGHT [15657] [MRIN: 5559], daughter of George KNIGHT [20744] and Unknown. (Hilda Bessel KNIGHT [15657] was born on 19 Jul 1893 in 7 Oak St Woodstock Cape Town SA and died in 1967 in Harare, Mashonaland East, Zimbabwe.)