R.P. Rifles in the Boer War

[Malcolm Webster]

Hello,

My Great Great Uncle Frederick Albert Blewett served doing the 2nd Boer War.

16 men returned to their home town of Lostwithiel in 1902, Frederick was one of them.. in a newspaper report he is listed as serving with the R.P. Rifles. I have had a look but I can't find anything about the R.P. Rifles and I was wondering if anyone knew anything about this group?

Thanks for any help you might be able to give me...

Regards, Malcolm

[neil1821]

Malcolm,
First thing to say is that there's no British Army regiment that matches the description R.P.Rifles (or even that comes to mind from the initials RPR).
So I think we're looking at a Colonial unit (raised locally in South Africa).

If you look on Kevin Asplin's site, you'll find some of the nominal rolls for the Colonial units.
http://www.britishmedals.us/kevin/wo127.html
The Railway Pioneer Regiment is a good candidate for any going by the initials RPR, and sure enough if you look at the transcription for the 4th Bn, there is a Pte Frederick Blewett. So I think this is him.
The Railway Pioneer Regt amalgamated with the Rand Rifles at Johannesburg in 1903, which is possibly where the confusion comes from.

[Malcolm Webster]

Thank you so much for your helpful reply..

I am very grateful to you for this information.

Regards, Malcolm