Andreas , Joseph (J)

James Pigott Shuckburgh was born 26 September 1872, the third son, and fourth child (of the eventual seven children) of Captain Charles Stewkley Shuckburgh, RN and Elizabeth Tomlinson. Very little of his chilhood is known now other than through an album of family pictures which show James, called Jim by his family, as a good-looking, healthy boy, and a handsome young man in uniform. How he came to enlist in the army has been forgotten, but, along with his brothers Ralph, Charles, and William, he was educated in various European schools as his parents chose to live apart. The boys were all independant and self reliant. Jim's immediate younger brother, William (Willie)followed Ralph to Canada to homestead in Manitoba in the 1890's. Willie enlisted in the Northwest Mounted Police (The Mounties) and began a career in border patrol and keeping the peace. At the outset of the Boer War he chose to take a leave of absence to support the cause, joining the Strathcona Horse Regiment. Jim was aleady in South Africa when Willie sailed from Montreal for Capetown. The following letter to his mother describes his passage and the news that awaited him there: Strathcona Horse Capetown, South Africa April 15, 1900 My Dear Mother Just a few lines to let you know we have arrived safe in Capetown. We had a very smooth passage. I was not sea sick, the wather was very hot, we lost 160 horses on the boat. We left Halifax March 17 arrived at Cape Town April 10. Our Camp is about 2 miles from town close to the sea. Such a pretty place. We expect to go to the front on tuesday to Kimberly. It is such a job to write a letter in a tent and no table. I enclose this piece of paper I cut out od a paper yesterday about Jim. We are very busy drilling and getting ready to go to the front. I dont expect I shall have much time to write again after I leave here, I will if I get a chance and tell you the news I remain Your Affect. Son William Shuckburgh The clipping, under the heading "PLUMER'S COLUMN" (actual source unknown) lists Trooper James STuckberg slightly wounded (prisioner) - not previously reported. Other clipping still held in our family archives lis: Rhodesian Regiment. -Wounded: James Stackbergh (dangerously); then finally Causualties: Death from Wounds. - Trooper Schackburgh, Rhodesian Regiment, from wounds received March 31, Plumer's action at Boer Hospital, was buried by us this morning (dated April 14) Jim's obituary appeared in the Ti