A. S. Binnie, 2nd/21st RSF

Given the photograph from Isandula’s Collection, posted in the side bar, I wondered if anyone had any further information on him?

I have a couple of photographs of him taken in later life.

Here he is as a Sergeant, taken in Rangoon, then Burma circa 1885/6 wearing the undress doublet.

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Sgt. A. S. Binnie, RSF.
(John Young Collection.)

Subsequent photographs and correspondence indicate that he might have settled for a while in South Africa following his Army service.

Anything further information would be appreciated.

JY

Hello John
Well your in luck i found his service papers,
born circa 1859/60 falkirk to james binnie and mary johnston baptism.
on 1861 and 1871 census his mother is isabella and he is the youngest of 7 kids,
From his discharge and attestion papers
attested 9 july 1877 in edinburgh 61st brigade no 834, born falkirk dalkieth stirling age 18 and 10mths served zululand 79 sekukuni 79 transvaal 1880/81, 2/21 pvt 8 july 77 to 8 dec 77 l/corp 9 dec77 to 19 may 78 pvt 20 may 78 to 16 march 80, home service 9 july 77 to 21 feb 79 south africa 22 feb 79 to 4 jan 82, east indies 5 jan 82 to 28 nov 1896 to home 29 nov 1896 to 8 july 1903.
married elizabeth Imrie in rangoon 2 feb 1885 to married establishment 2 feb 1885 kids born james p 1887 rangoon, lewis 1885 who died, clara e 1889 dagshai punjab,isabella p 1891 peshawar, john 1897 chatham, alex mary 1895 marree, villamins 1902 montrose.
discharge papers
no 2206 Qtr Master Serg Alexander Binnie 2nd R S Fusiliers, discharged 8 july 1903 in Aldershot age 44/10mths therefore born 1859, termination of his 2nd period of engagement, medals SA medal + clasp 1879, Long S G conduct medal army order 97 of 1898, education 1st class cert, served 26 years.
on the marriage she born kelso 1859
1911 census Alex is manager Lipton Ltd add 40 park road Aldershot.
And finally Alexander s Binnie d 1913 GRO Farnham District Surrey.
Rai Keynshamlighthorse

Rai,

Thanks for that. Most helpful.

The odd thing is apart from his military service that there is no further connection to South Africa. Where I have a couple of envelopes and another cdv of him linked to Kimberley, I can only conclude a possible family connection.

Keep up the good work.

All the best,

JY

Hello John
Had a look for a south african connection.
Another Alexander Binnie also from Falkirk born circa 1867, was attested 24 april 1885 to the seaforth highlanders he served in the Hazara campaign 1891 and returned to the colours for the 2nd Boer War.
Considering the place and name i would think they were probably related it seems there are three families with lots of Alexanders in the area.

rai/John
I have these references from the Archives

Document 16 of 76
DEPOT NAB
SOURCE MJPW
TYPE LEER
VOLUME_NO 59
SYSTEM 01
REFERENCE LW1933/1898
PART 1
DESCRIPTION GEORGE GORDON: COMPLAINT WITH REFERENCE TO TREATMENT BY MR. BINNIE,
FOREMAN OF WORKS, LADYSMITH.
STARTING 1898
ENDING 1898
REMARKS ECM1473/1898 GMS5385/1898.



Document 17 of 76
DEPOT NAB
SOURCE MJPW
TYPE LEER
VOLUME_NO 74
SYSTEM 01
REFERENCE LW1355/1900
PART 1
DESCRIPTION GENERAL MANAGER, NATAL GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS: REPORT OF FOREMAN BINNIE
- LADYSMITH.
STARTING 1900
ENDING 1900
REMARKS CSO2895/1900 GMS4644/1900.

Hi Frank/John,

I have knowledge of a Binnie family farming/ranching late into the past century at Bella Bella, ie 200kms north of Johnannesburg.

regards

barry

Rai,

Thanks again.

Frank,

Yes I found those the other night when I was poking around in the SA National Archives, trying find a connection.

Barry,

Those Jocks get everywhere! Thanks for the information.

Regards to all,

JY

Just in case they're of any interest I have photos of a further CDV of A. Binnie, this time by James Lloyd of Natal; also included is a handwritten card dated May 30th 1880 with the following words:

Corpl A S Binnie
Royal Scots Fusiliers
Pretoria, Transvaal
South Africa

To:
Miss E Imrie
Church Place
Cistern Lane
Falkirk
Scotland

I'll ask Admin to post the photos shortly.

Regards,

Tim

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Photo's by Tim Needham

This chap is presumably the same person as Alexander Binnie, who as a lance-corporal of the 2/21st was present at Potchefstroom during the First Boer War. He was among those who garrisoned the town's Landdrost's Office, which came under Boer attack. On 18th December the small force (20 men) was compelled to surrender, and spent the rest of the war as POWs.

According to the list of references in Ian Bennett's 'A Rain of Lead' (from which the above info is derived), Binnie left an account of the defence of the Landdrost's Office, and his time as a POW, which is in The National Archives (WO 33/38 Encl 180).

Regards,

Lee