Mr Spiers KIA iSandlwana ?

Posts : 3463 Join date : 2021-01-04

Natal Witness 20th February 1879
It is to be feared that more of the Europeans that must have been with the 120 wagons at the General's Camp must be recorded as lost. A Mr Spiers of the Karkloof, who was there, has not been heard of since.

Can't find him on p12 of Englands Sons

Subject: Re: Mr Spiers KIA iSandlwana ? Sun Feb 12, 2023 7:20 pm

Kate,

There was a Captain A.T. Spiers with Bengough’s battalion, Sole has him as A. J. Spiers. I presume he was safe & sound at Krantz Kop.

JY

Posts : 3463 Join date : 2021-01-04

Could be John though would they not refer to him as Captain Spiers rather than Mr?

Subject: Re: Mr Spiers KIA iSandlwana ? Sun Feb 12, 2023 7:40 pm

Kate,

As to the error with the title - should we be surprised?

There was a Spiers family - emigrants from Ulster - at least one of them served the Karkloof Troop of the Natal Carbineers.

So the surname certainly fits with the area.

JY

Subject: Re: Mr Spiers KIA iSandlwana ? Sun Feb 12, 2023 9:25 pm

I dismissed the Mr. Robert Speirs in this report as neither kia nor survivor several years ago. As John said, the clue is in the "Karkloof" relating to erstwhile membership in the Carbineers. I made contact with the family who told me that no ancestor of theirs took part in the Isandhlwana battle. I therefore assumed either that Speirs was at Isandhlwana but left on the 21st or the report contained a misidentification.

Posts : 3463 Join date : 2021-01-04

That puts that one to bed.
Natal Witness 1st March 1879
Postscript
Amongst those killed at the battle of Sandlwana was Mr W Macathie of Karkloof. There are several others missing. Mr Spiers reported killed has turned up.

Subject: Re: Mr Spiers KIA iSandlwana ? Mon Feb 13, 2023 7:39 am

Robert Speirs (Karkloof Troop) emigrated to SA in 1850 and lived at Mount Park; 1802-31.8.79
He had three sons:
Charles Pennell Speirs 1840-1915
Capt. Alexander James Speirs - NNC as John mentioned but NOT at Isandhlwana - 1845-93 - I think this was probably who was being referred to in the Witness but he was with Bengough's battalion.
Robert Speirs 1842-1924
The whole family had a strong connexion to the Karkloof Troop.

Conductor P.(?) ‘McCarthy’, attached to the A.C.T.D. of No. 2 Column, is known to have been in camp. It is not known whether he was killed or survived. However two genealogical websites [TN] refer to a William McAthie (alias McCathie/Macathie), born 1835 Scotland, married Helen Dorothy Foord 1866 York, Natal, had seven children 1867-1877 and, according to a descendant, was killed at Isandhlwana. Alternatively these websites might be referring to Sergt. W. McCarthy 1/3rd N.N.C. See England's Sons p. 12.

Subject: Re: Mr Spiers KIA iSandlwana ? Fri Nov 01, 2024 7:50 am

Re McCarthy, the mystery has now been solved. See the thread 'Isandhlwana unaccounted for casualties'. Both Conductor William McCathie ACTD and Sergt. William McCarthy NNC were kia at Isandhlwana.