Anson A. Mayer/Maher

Posts : 14 Join date : 2023-03-05

hi there - I had previously posted to the group seeking information relating to Anson A. Maher; his 1936 obituary refers to him having fought in the Zulu War in the 'Kimberely Light Horse'. This produced no definitive answers - although a 'Maher' was identitifed from Duttons roll, in Bettington's Horse No3 Troop. That chimed with Maher's 1893 lecture, including subject matter on the death of the Prince Imperial. That's by way of background.
I found a clear reference to an A. A. Mayer, serving as Lt. in the left wing of the Kimberely Horse, under Major William Moorsom Lawrence, and an account of his action during the Basuto Gun Rebellion. It transpires that the name change was deliberate on behalf of Maher/Mayer.
I have recently identified a contemporaneous record of an interview that Maher underwent, in 1914, as he was being recruited by Lt. Col. Maurice Moore, to the Irish Volunteers. The record, reports some involvement again in the Zulu War, but very specifically refers to his presence during the battle of Majuba in 1881, when General Colley was KIA. See attached.
I would love to again try and identify any records that place A. A. Maher (then A. A. Mayer) at the battle. He was a reporter/as well as a soldier - and I find it strange that his name does not appear on the Anglo-Boer War database/other online sources.
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Posts : 11 Join date : 2010-08-21

Hi,
Just to add to the confusion, I note that Lt A.A.Mayer is recorded in Curson's History of the Kimberley Regiment p.11 as one of the original officers of the Left Wing, Kimberley Horse, raised in 1880 for service in Basutoland, and a Lieut Mayer is mentioned in "Selected Writings of the Late Wiilliam Moorsom Laurence" p79, as being in action at Hlotse Heights, but no initials are given - what is your source for A.A. Mayer? Confusingly, Anson, as such, did not apparently apply for his Cape GS Medal but one medal, clasp Basutoland, was issued to Lieut Arthur Perkins Mayers, Kimberley Horse. That Mayers was apparently JP and Field Cornet at Grootfontein, Kuruman at the time of applying in 1902, although this is not confirmed by the 1902 Cape Civil Service List. He is definitely ( "of Grootfontein") mentioned by Dennison in Zulu Frontiersman as joining the Border Horse just after Hlobane (SAGS Medal issued to him as Cpl). Is there another name change going on here?
Also could it be that Anson (or is it Arthur?) was present when Laurence was killed and that this story has been confused with Colley at Majuba?
Also, where does the Major rank come from? Certainly not British or SA Colonial as far as I can tell.
Regards,
Steven

Subject: Re: Anson A. Mayer/Maher Tue Apr 23, 2024 12:38 am

Hi sekukini

His name could be Anson A Maher I believe. I recently googled his name and he appeared as a passenger on a navy ship "The Baltic" shipping tanks to the tsar of Russia in 1916, as Major Anson A Maher accompanied by Mrs Maher, if it is the same man.
I will attempt to share a link if I learn how, or if you Google Major Anson A Maher you should find it.

He was part of Stanley's expedition in Africa and after the Zulu war he went back to the USA.
Apparently he formed and Commanded the Kimberley Light Horse.

Posts : 11 Join date : 2010-08-21

Hi again,
Ancestry also shows a Major Anson A. Maher entering the USA via Boston and being married in that country (I don't have access to the details or dates). Maybe his rank was US Army?
According to Curson's "Armed Forces of S.A.", the Kimberley Light Horse was formed in Kimberley in 1900 during the siege, by R.G.Scott VC, DSO. If Anson had been involved he would have qualified for a Defence of Kimberley clasp to a QSA - but he didn't (See "Kimberley" by David J Biggins). Again, I think confusion with the Kimberley Horse (an entirely different unit, seperated by 20 years) is likely - as stated previously, he was defeinitely a founder member of that but not C.O.
Regards,
S

Posts : 14 Join date : 2023-03-05

Thanks sekukuni and Eddie - indeed Anson Adelbert Maher (1858) is one and the same as Anson Adolf MAyer 1857! He's my great-grandfather. That he changed his identity is perhaps just one of a number of deceptions, so it can be hard to be sure what stories are true vs. porkies! But it is clear that he served with the Kimberely Horse 1880-81, as Lt and later Captain. No idea where he obtained his Major rank - he was using the rank of Captain in 1883 in Texas; so he either achieved that rank with the US Cavalry, where he claims to have served, or its a self-promotion. It was the Curson reference that provided the link between Maher/Mayer. Many thanks, Ciaran

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