I am seeking some expertise on researching members of the Southern Rhodesia Womens Aux Service. The information I found so far is very generic and uninformative. Performing some genealogical research on a previously unknown ancestor of mine, I discovered she is buried in a War Grave in Harare, Zimbabwae, a fair distance from her home and family in England. Mary Isabelle Rae, b. Apr 1896, d. June 16, 1946 (nee Edwards) I accidently stumbled on the UK Commonwealth War Graves, listing her as C/Sgt Rae, Mary Isabel, WA/100, Southern Rhodesia Womens Auxillary Military Service, d. June 16/46. (Even the date threw me off, I dont know if she was a casulty or passed after and received a war grave, I suspect the latter). Could someone point me the right direction to locate service records for the SRWAMS? To learn more about their service, roles, ect. Thank you.
I found this web site which seems to have information Force Grave Result – Rhodesian Services Association Inc The web site is dedicated to recording the history of the Rhodesian Forces and has been put together by " Rhodesians" living in New Zealand and the rest of the world. The page says it has further information which can be purchased. I hope it helps Diane
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Name: Mary Isabelle Edwards Registration Year: 1896 Registration Quarter: Apr-May-Jun Registration district: Fareham Parishes for this Registration District: View Ecclesiastical Parishes associated with this Registration District Inferred County: Hampshire Volume: 2b Page: 577 1901 England Census Name: Mary Edwards Age: 4 Estimated birth year: abt 1897 Relation to Head: Daughter Gender: Female Father: Sidney John Edwards Mother: Edith Edwards Birth Place: Titchfield, Hampshire, England Civil Parish: Titchfield Search Photos: Search for 'Titchfield' in the UK City, Town and Village Photos collection Ecclesiastical parish: St Peter Town: Segensworth County/Island: Hampshire Country: England Street address: Occupation: Condition as to marriage: Education: Employment status: View image Registration district: Fareham Sub-registration district: Titchfield ED, institution, or vessel: 3 Neighbors: View others on page Piece: 1016 Folio: 36 Page Number: 2 Household schedule number: 7 Household Members: Name Age Sidney John Edwards 32 Edith Edwards 27 William Edwards 6 Mary Edwards 4 John Edwards 2 Margaret Edwards 1 Jeffrey Edwards 2 Florence Penning 28 I am trying to find her marriage to Mr Rae to see where that happened TD
In 1935 she is a 'housewife' coming in via South Africa from Rhodesia UK and Ireland, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960 There are other Mary Rae travelling but none with a middle initial 'I' and unfortunately she wasnt travelling with her husband so still no idea of his name. I would assume she spent quite a good part of her life in Rhodesia, how you find out any details I do not know I'm afraid TD I have sent a message through Ancestry to the owner of tree to see if they have any further details of her military service and demise
Brilliant find there Diane - very well done I dont have access but perhaps someone else does - her husbands death Reginald MacBeth Rae Transvaal Province, South Africa, Estates Death Notice Index, 1855-1976 DEATH, BURIAL, CEMETERY & OBITUARIES Record information. Name Reginald MacBeth Rae Death 1941 South Africa TD UK, Royal Air Force Airmen Records, 1918-1940 Name: Reginald Macbeth Rae Gender: Male Age: 25 Birth Date: abt 1890 Birth Place: Transvaal Service Date: 31 Aug 1915 Service Number: 307978 Mother: Mary Rae Next of Kin: Mary Rae Relation to Airman: Mother Reading this Reginald was Marys son not husband
Her husband and Reginalds father 1901 Wales Census Name: Reginald Rae Age in 1901: 10 Estimated birth year: abt 1891 Gender: Male Where born: Futham, London, England Civil Parish: Llysfaen Search Photos: Search for 'Llysfaen' in the UK City, Town and Village Photos collection Town: Llysfaen Ecclesiastical parish: Llysfaen County/Island: Caernarvonshire Country: Wales Street address: View image Condition as to marriage: View image Education: View image Employment status: View image Occupation: View image Registration district: Conway Sub-registration district: Creuddyn ED, institution, or vessel: 23 Neighbors: View others on page Household schedule number: 1 Piece: 5288 Folio: 108 Page Number: 1 School in North Wales TD
TD Reginald McBeth Rae was born about 1890 so must be her husband. Coincidence that his mother's name was Mary? The Airman's record is WW1 He married Mary I Edwards in Livingstone Northern Rhodesia on 20/3/1930- according to the Notice of Death of Mary. That's the document t that is very feint. cheers Diane
Diane and TD, I can't thank you enough, I have new paths now to follow on her now. Amazing detective work!
