Kaffrarian Rifles, South African Infantry (South African Army)
Died:
(Died of Illness)
Age:
Summary
Robert Daniel was the son of Robert and Marion Daniel. Robert Daniel Senior was an Englishman, was Justice of the Peace and Linen Finisher. They lived at Farlough, Tullyniskane, Tyrone. Robert Daniel was in business in South Africa. At the outbreak of the war, Robert promptly volunteered and enrolled in the Kaffrarian Rifles. He took part with his regiment throughout all operations in German South West Africa. Trooper Daniel contracted illness, and latterly died. Trooper Robert Daniel was one of five brothers who answered their country’s call. The details of Robert Daniel cannot be found on the CWGC.
Further Information
Robert Daniel was the son of Robert and Marion Daniel. Robert Daniel Senior was an Englishman, was Justice of the Peace and Linen Finisher. They lived at Farlough, Tullyniskane, Tyrone.
The 1901 census does not list Robert as living with the family at house 27 in Farlough, Tullyniskane, Tyrone. His father's occupation is described as “Gentleman”.
The 1911 census does not list Robert as living with the family at house 1 in Farlough, Tullyniskane, Tyrone.
Known family: Robert Daniel, Marion Daniel, Robert Daniel (born Cheshire), Norah Kathleen Daniel (born about 1876, Cheshire), Frank Gordon Daniel (born about 1878, Cheshire), Alfred Daniel (born 18th June 1884, Cheshire), Ernest Daniel (born about 1884, Cheshire), Edith Dorothy Daniel (born 9th January 1888, Coalisland), Godfrey Duncan Daniel (born 30th May 1889, Coalisland).
Robert Daniel served throughout the South African War in the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons. He held the Queen Victoria and King Edward VII medals for that campaign.
Robert Daniel was in business in South Africa. At the outbreak of World War One, Robert promptly volunteered and enrolled in the Kaffrarian Rifles. He held the rank of colour sergeant in the Kaffrarian Rifles during the German South West expedition. He took part with his regiment throughout all operations in German South West Africa.
Robert Daniel enlisted and left the Curragh camp with the 6th Inniskilling after the first reserves of the British Forces for southern Africa.
1915
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 18th February 1915:
Mr Robert Daniel, J.P., of Derryvale, Dungannon, the officer commanding E Company of the 4th Battalion of the Tyrone U.V.F. (of which the late Lord Northland was a commander), is unable to serve in the new Army owing to the age limit, but is well represented by no fewer than five sons who have joined the colours. His eldest son Robert, Who was in business in South Africa, enrolled with the Kaffrarian Rifles at East London at the outbreak of the war, and was shortly afterwards with the regiment in the operations against German South West Africa. His twin brother, being married, was not allowed by his firm to join the forces. His younger brother, Frank, who was in the Transvaal, joined the Civic Guard of Pretoria. Alfred, an electrical engineer, was in Canada, and enlisted in the 17th Canadian Cavalry Field Ambulance Corps at Calgary; while Godfrey joined the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, and was with the first contingent to arrive in England. Ernest was at home assisting his father in his dyeing and finishing business, and was an enthusiastic member of the U.V.F., being half company commander in his father's company. He followed Sir Edward Carson's advice and joined the new Army, and is at present at Epsom with the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers. Mr Daniel has reason to be proud of his contribution of his sons towards the defence of the Empire.
Trooper Daniel's father was the recipient of a special congratulatory letter from his Majesty the King on his sons' contribution to the defence of the Empire.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 27th February 1915: Royal Congratulations for Ulster Parents
Mr Robert Daniel, J.P., of Derryvale, Dungannon, has received the following letter, dated Buckingham Palace, 25th February:-
'Sir, I have the honour to inform you that the King has heard with much interest that you have a t present five sons in the army. I am commanded to express to you the King's congratulations, and to assure you that his Majesty much appreciates the spirit of patriotism which prompted this example, in one family, of loyalty and devotion to their Sovereign and Empire. I have the honour to be sir your obedient servant, F Ponsonby, Keeper of the Privy Purse.'
Robert’s mother, Marion Daniel, died on 3rd December 1915.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 11th December 1915: Deaths
DANIEL – 3rd December, Marion, beloved wife of Robert Daniel of Derryvale, Dungannon and sixth daughter of the late Richard Pike of Beechgrove, Dungannon
1916
Trooper Daniel contracted illness, and latterly died.
In May 1916, his father received a cablegram intimating the death of his eldest son, Robert Daniel junior, at East London, South Africa.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 25 May 1916:
Mr Robert Daniel, J.P., Derryvale, Dungannon, received a cablegram on Saturday intimating the death of his eldest son, Robert Daniel junior, at East London, South Africa. The deceased gentleman, who was in business in South Africa at the outbreak of the war, promptly volunteered and enrolled in the Kaffrarian Rifles. He took part with his regiment throughout all operations in German South West Africa, but unfortunately contracted illness, from the effects of which he never recovered. He was one of five brothers who answered their country's call and joined the colours, and their father, who was officer commanding E Company of the Dungannon Battalion of the U.V.F was unable, owing to age limit, to serve in the new army, and was the recipient of a special congratulatory letter from his Majesty the King on his sons' contribution to the defence of the Empire
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 27th May 1916:
Mr Robert Daniel, J.P., Derryvale, Dungannon, received a cablegram on Saturday intimating the death of his eldest son, Robert Daniel junior, at East London, South Africa. The deceased gentleman, who was in business in South Africa at the outbreak of the war, promptly volunteered and enrolled in the Kaffrarian Rifles. He took part with his regiment throughout all operations in German South West Africa, but unfortunately contracted illness, from the effects of which he never recovered. He was one of five brothers who answered their country's call and joined the colours, and their father, who was officer commanding E Company of the Dungannon Battalion (Lord Northland's) of the U.V.F., but was unable, owing to age limit, to serve in the New Army, and was the recipient of a special congratulatory letter from his Majesty the King on his sons' contribution to the defence of the Empire. The deceased gentleman served throughout the South African War in the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons, having left the Curragh camp with his regiment after the first reserves of the British Forces. He held the Queen Victoria and King Edward VII medals for that campaign. He also held the rank of colour sergeant in the Kaffrarian Rifles during the recent German South West expedition.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 17th June 1916:
Mr Daniel desires to express to Mr J B Gunning-Moore D.L., to Captain Lowry D.L. and to the delegates present at the meeting of East Tyrone Unionist Association, his sincere thanks for their kind expressions of sympathy with him in his recent bereavement on the death of his eldest son, Mr Robert Daniel, jun.
1918
From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated Thursday 16 May 1918: How the Military Medal was won (Godfrey Daniel – brother of Robert Daniel)
The following is an interesting account of how Godfrey Duncan Daniel, 1st Canadian Cavalry Brigade, youngest son of Mr Robert Daniel, J.P., Derryvale, Coalisland: On the first day of the big battle presently raging, the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (R.C.H.A.) had a forward gun in action and as the enemy were advancing it became necessary to get it pulled out. Godfrey Daniel with another driver were called out to get their teams hooked on to the gun limber and get to the gun as quickly as possible, their Captain leading them. As the enemy were sending over gas they had to wear gas masks and were subjected to very heavy shell fire. They reached the position before the enemy had time to capture the gun and saved it. This pluck soldier was educated at Royal School Dungannon and took an active interest in all outdoor sports.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 17th May 1918: Saving the Gun (Godfrey Daniel – brother of Robert Daniel)
Mr Godfrey Duncan Daniel, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, who has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery during the first day of the German offensive, is the youngest son of Mr Robert Daniel, J.P., Derryvale, Coalisland. It appears that the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery had a forward gun in action, but owing to the advance of the enemy, it became necessary to extricate it. In spite of a strong gas attack and very heavy shell fire, Mr Daniel and another driver succeeded in getting to the gun before the enemy reached it and hooking on their teams, brought the gun back safely.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 21st September 1918: Mr Robert Daniel, J.P. (father of Robert Daniel)
Much regret is expressed amongst a wide circle of friends at the announcement of the death of Mr Robert Daniel, J.P., which took place at his residence, Derryvale, Coalisland, on Friday. The deceased gentleman, who originally resided at Oaklands, Cheshire, married a daughter of the late Mr Richard Pike, of Beechgrove, Dungannon, and for upwards of thirty-five years, carried on the linen finishing and dyeing business at Beechgrove. He was representative to the General Synod from the diocese of Armagh. He was a delegate to the celebrated Ulster Unionist Convention in Belfast in 1892, was president of the Newmills Unionist Club, and president of the Dungannon District Unionist Clubs Council (comprising twenty seven clubs). On the formation of the Ulster Volunteer Force he threw himself heart and soul into the movement, and was appointed commander of the Newmills-Coalisland Company, Dungannon Battalion, one of his sons being half-company commander. His enthusiasm on behalf of the Empire was inherited by his sons, all of whom (five in number) volunteered on the outbreak of war, and the deceased gentleman had been the recipient of a special congratulatory letter from the King on the subject. He is survived by eight children (five sons and three daughters, one of whom is married to Mr R St J Chadwick, B.L.).
Trooper Robert Daniel was one of five brothers who answered their country's call and joined the colours. Their father, who was officer commanding E Company of the Dungannon Battalion of the U.V.F was unable to enlist due to his age.
The details of Robert Daniel cannot be found on the CWGC.
