SNELL

Born 5 Sep 1870, Park, Landulph, Cornwall
Christened 25 Sep 1870, Landulph, Cornwall
Died 1956, South Africa
Emigrated to South Africa. Fought in the Boer War and reputedly went to the Klondike. Known to my mother as "Uncle Fred".

I have a newspaper clipping of his obituary (source/ exact date unknown, but possibly " Cornish Times" about 1957), as follows:

"A cable arrived last week, anouncing the death in South Africa of Mr Fred Snell, second son of the late Mr George Snell of Park, Landulph. He leaves a widow and two daughters, two sons having pre-deceased him. He was 87 years of age.

"As a young man he emigrated to Canada to take up farming. Then he joined the Mounted Police and saw life at Klondyke during the gold rush, where he had many adventures.
"When the Boer War broke out, he and two pals joined the Strathcona Horse. In a letter to his relatives he told of their journey of over 500 miles, on foot mostly, to a steamer to enlist. He was in several skirmishes but came off unscathed, though a bullet once went just over his head, and at another time, when shells were bursting too near, the men left their trench, and he saw a shell occupy it. When leave was granted, he came to England.

"Many of the older parishioners will remember his homecoming to Park, all beflagged and crowded, and a mock salute was fired by the farmers and sportsmen to the hero, all in the good old days of long ago.

"At a crowded concert in the Rectory Room, he was presented with a gold watch, suitably inscribed, subscribed by the parishioners.

"He took a commission, and when the Boer War was over, he settled down as a trader in "Pilgrim's Rest," where a gold mine had been opened up. From all accounts he had a charmed life, and was successful in all his ventures."

Inferred from document catalogued in the National Archives of South Africa, describing the 'Record of Conduct and Service, FREDERICK CHARLES SNELL' starting from 1901 and ending in 1906

Note the following newspaper article from Cape Times Weekly Edition 20/02/01 p24: Dateline London, Feb. 19, 1901. 100 troopers of Strathcona's Horse stated they intend to return to South Africa and join the Constabulary after a vacation in Canada.

The service records show that he enlisted in the SAC from 18 October 1901. A note on his attestation paper says that "this man is entitled to a free passage home after 5 years continuous service". His service record continues until 17 October 1906, when it is noted that he is discharged and time expired. A further note written below the discharge statement, says that he is"granted 6 months leave paid".

He joined the service as a 3rd class trooper, and was soon promoted, in the January following his enlistment in October to 2nd class trooper. In March 1902, he was promoted to Corporal and then in April 1902, to 2nd class Sergeant. He seems to have served in the Lydenburg district.

During the recruitment period he was asked for his discharge papers from the Strathcona Horse, but his reply of 19 August 1901 says that he has not recieved these. A letter in the Canadian files shows that he wrote requestign these papers but whether they were actually received is not known.

Included in the file is a letter of recommendation from Rev Sylvanus Gregory of Landulph that consideration should be given to Sergeant FC Snell of B Troop, SAC, dated Dec 03, for a commision in the SAC. It would appear that this plea was not successful.


Frederick Snell served in the Boer War in Lord Strathcona's Horse. The following extract is taken from a history of the regiment, describing its formation and service in the Boer War:

"The prairies of Western Canada in the late 1890's were considered by many to be a part of the Wild West frontier. However, in reality, Western Canada was a peaceful, well-policed area that was beginning to prosper in the young Dominion.

"In January 1900, Donald Smith (Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal) offered to raise and equip a mounted regiment at his own expense to serve in the South African or "Boer" War.

"His Regiment was recruited largely from cowboys and frontiersmen of Western Canada and members of the North West Mounted Police (N.W.M.P.). Command of "Strathcona's Horse" was given to the now famous Superintendent of the N.W.M.P., Sir Sam B. Steele.

"Lord Strathcona's Horse arrived in Cape Town, South Africa on April 10, 1900 and quickly became essential to the British Army. Employed as scouts because of their background as frontiersmen and cowboys, the Regiment was involved in numerous skirmishes and bloody battles against the Boer mounted riflemen. The bravery of the soldiers of the Regiment was best illustrated by the actions of Sgt Arthur Richardson during an ambush at Wolver Spruit. Upon seeing one of his soldiers fall wounded from his horse, Sgt Richardson rode back under a hail of Boer gunfire, retrieved the wounded man and brought him to safety. Sgt Richardson received the Victoria Cross for his valour."Perseverance".

"At the end of the war, in Queen Victoria's memory, King Edward VII presented the King's Colours to the Regiment. This honour is normally awarded to infantry units. Upon its return to Canada the Regiment was lauded for its contributions and service in the Boer War. Unfortunately, soon after the Regiment was disbanded. In 1909 it was reformed and named Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) (LdSH(RC)).

Frederick Snell's records still exist and can be viewed in the National Archives of Canada. He was taken on strength (number 430) on March 8, 1900 at Ottawa and was posted to "A" Squadron. During his visit home in 1901, he is recorded in the census at Park, along with a visitor, Sergeant Skirving who would appear to be a friend and colleague from Canada. George Skirving is enlisted as number 429 into the Strathcona Horse, probably at the same time as Frederick Snell, after previous service in the NWMP.

Promoted and made Senior Corporal of "A" Squadron 2 Troop on March 10, 1900, and later promoted to Sergeant on Nov 12, 1900. He was discharged on March 16, 1901 at Ottawa. He was awarded the Queens South Africa Medal with clasps for Natal, Orange Free State and Belfast. Records show that he was recruited from the ranks of the NWMP.




Frederick Charles Snell went to Canada in 1891 on the "CARTHAGINIAN", which sailed to Portland in the USA on 12 March 1891 from Liverpool. His service record in the NWMP indicates that he was employed at brewery in England (probably in Plymouth) prior to emigration and that he found employment as a farm hand in Canada, prior to applying to join the NWMP. He was accepted into the NWMP on 7 November 1892 at Regina (North West Territories), engaging for 5 years service as a constable.

At the end of 5 years service, he re-engaged for a further three and applied for 2 years service in the Yukon (Dawson). He completed his service in the Yukon, but applied for discharge in 1900 in order to join Lord Strathcona's Horse for service in South Africa. Because he did not complete his three-year engagement, his NWMP service record says that he is 'not eligible for bonus' and his future residence is described as 'gone to Africa'.

A further letter in the file from Frederick Snell, written from his family home at Park, Landulph, at the beginning of 1901, requests a copy of his discharge papers which he was unable to collect at Regina on laving Canada - presumably he had in mind a career in the South African Constabulary which would be aided by previous service in the NWMP.

He was promoted from constable to Corporal in the NWMP in 1899.
The Canadian Archives hold a copy of the letters aptent to a land grant to Frederick Charles Snell "of Dawson, in the Yukon Territory.........,Miner" of land situate in the Government addition to the Townsite of Dawson in the Yukon Territory, being "Lot numbered One in the Block lettered "O" in the Government addition to the Townsite of Dawson aforesaid as shown on a plan of the subdivision of the Group Lot numbered Twelve, in the Group numbered Two in the Yukon Territory made by James Gibbon, Dominion Land Surveyor and of record in the Department of the Interior as plan numbered 8338". This document in dated 23 December 1899.

Alias Sarah SNELL
Died 1961