REUBEN MOOR NATAL MOUNTED POLICE (nr 82)

Hello,

Have been writing up my family for ten years now and have a few documents that refer to my gt uncle Reuben Moor. He was the son of tax and excise supervisor for Wigtown (John Moor). John died in 1869 and after working as a writer for a solicitor (1871 census) Reuben ups sticks and volunteers to join the Natal Mounted Police. Your site lists him in the roll call made after Isandlwana at Rorkes drift (Number 82).

A letter sent home the day after the fighting there indicates that he is in a group holding horses and waiting for the Zulu to attack. It also mentions that he has lost a good friend from Derbyshire a few days back at Isandlwana (John Siddal) and describes in brief what he and others discovered there after the massacre..

Subsequent letters that year are GB based between family and solicitors and express concern over Reubens whereabouts. Advice is that they contact the Cape authorities.

A few years later Reuben’s brother George, who was a Salvationist traveled with his wife and family to set up a Mission in Potschefsroom – I guess he wanted to find out first hand .- I have original phots of this

The roll call made at Rorke's drift does not include further detail for the R Moor listed (e.g. died of fever etc)
I would grateful of any leads or links that would perhaps throw light on Reuben's fate or indeed on where and how he would have volunteered to join the NMP.
I can forward the text of the letters if they are of interest.

All the best
Reubenmoor

Hi Reuben .
Welcome aboard , the following from ' For God , Queen & Colony ' by Terry Sole .
Natal Mounted Police ... Sergeant Reuben Moore , From Winkworth Derbyshire , Attested 16 / 8 / 75 , Age 23 , Discharged 9 / 2 / 92.
Cheers 90th.

Hi Reuben

The records of the Natal Mounted Police are stored in the Pietermaritzburg Repository of the South African National Archives, but they tend to be disappointingly thin on details of individual policemen. If you have not already done so, you could try entering Moor's name on the online search facility of the SANA. If successful, you may have to employ a local researcher to copy records.

Regards
Brett

I can't find anything new on this chap.. I would take Brett's advice!

Thanks guys.for the advice and info on Reuben moor

I am now in a position to follow this up as there were two Reubens in the family at that time - one a Moor and just to complicate matters one his mothers brother (Moore) who he was named after. He was born in Wirksworth Derbyshire - I have no idea if he joined up but can now research the uk censii and roll calls etc to see what is what.

ALL THE BEST

Reubenmoor

Good luck, please keep us up-dated on your progress

Quote :

Reubenmoore says:
Have been writing up my family for ten years now and have a few documents that refer to my gt uncle Reuben Moor. He was the son of tax and excise supervisor for Wigtown (John Moor). John died in 1869 and after working as a writer for a solicitor (1871 census) Reuben ups sticks and volunteers to join the Natal Mounted Police. Your site lists him in the roll call made after Isandlwana at Rorkes drift (Number 82).

A letter sent home the day after the fighting there indicates that he is in a group holding horses and waiting for the Zulu to attack. It also mentions that he has lost a good friend from Derbyshire a few days back at Isandlwana (John Siddal) and describes in brief what he and others discovered there after the massacre..


I can forward the text of the letters if they are of interest.

Hello Reubenmoore,
Can you show us this letters?
Regards
Ymob

There is a Reuben Moore serving in the South African Constabulary during the Boer War of 1899. He served from the16th September 1901 until the 31st May 1902. The medal roll states that he also served with Kitchener's Horse, though no dates are given.

There is a Reuben Moore serving in the South African Constabulary during the Boer War of 1899. He served from the 16th September 1901 until the 31st May 1902. The medal roll states that he also served with Kitchener's Horse, though no dates are given. There is also a photo of Reuben Moore as a trooper in the Natal Mounted Police in 1896. It is a group photo entitled Magistrate and Staff, Msinga District. The book in which this appears iscalled "A Natal Family Looks Back", by H.C.Lugg. His father being Henry Lugg who fought at Rorke's Drift.

Good get Graves .
Cheers 90th.

Thanks for this 90th!!!!

I have several relatives now interested in 1879 Zululand and awaiting any advance on this last piece of our family jigsaw - we will raise a glass or two to you - at last a picture of the man to paste into the family write up

Reubenmoor:

oops Graves

Sorry I missed your name off the listing - Reuben was the 82nd NMP recruit and listed as sergeant at the Rorke's Drift rol call. He obviously rode out to scout and avoided the battle if his letter home is anything to go by.. The photo shows him as a trooper and other evidence suggests he discharged himself in 1892 still a sergeant - maybe he renlisted before joining the magistrates working party. He was born 1852 so this 44 yrs old could be the fit as we Moors still look like kids at 50. I'll trawl for Reuben moor(e) in the names lists.

All the best and thanks for these new leads

Reubenmoor

Thanks Wentworth for the valuable info - will try and source that book

I'm now thinking that he survived the wars - we all thought he had perished as the letters to and fro were so downbeat about his chances of survival - I guess it's now possible he met up with his Missionary bro' George spencer Moor whilst he was setting up the Salvation Army mission there in the mid 1880's

All the best from a Sunny Devon

Reubenmoor

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
George Moore, pictured in his Salvation Army uniform, and his daughter Ruth Marie Moore.

Had this e-mailed to me.. Could this be his brother George Moore.

Reuben did George have a daughter named Ruth?

Thanks Littlehand

No that's not him.... but useful from uniform and S Army records wise. I have some late 1880's orig. photos with his wife (handed down). He is in Sal Army uniform and photo taken in Potchefsroom.

They travelled to Durban and worked their way up and around This from subsequent UK censii (1901) that shows two of their family were born in Somerset West on the Cape before they returned to UK

All the best

reubenmoor