| Notes |
- He was born August 2, 1844 in Bethnal Green, London.
In 1851 the family was lving at No 7 Princes Street, Spitalfields
In 1861, they were living at 39 Herbert St, Shoreditch, St Leonard
He arrived Natal on ship "Maritzburg", 536 tons, July 5, 1863 (left London April 4, 1863). The shipping list was publishe din the "Natal Witness, July 12, 1863.
In March 1868 he joined the Natal Carbineers. (Natal Witness)
William Bamber was appointed Assistant Town Clerk and Collector of Rates, Pietermaritzburg in October 1868. In addition in July 1869 he received the government appointment of Field Cornet for electoral purposes for the Township of Pietermaritzburg. He was still Assistant Town Clerk in 1876.
William Bamber was convicted of embezzlement in that he took for his own use Corporation Funds and senteced to 18 months hard labour in the Pietermaritzburg Gaol in June 1881.
On December 18, 1882 an advertisement in the Witness for a plot of land noted it was "on the Zwartkops Valley Road, and contiguos to the properties of Mrs. Bamber and mr. White. So Mrs Bamber and the children presumably remained in Pietermaritzburg while he was in prison, after which they left town for New Hanover.
By 1883 the Bambers were living at Ashenden near New Hanover where their son Cyril William was born (as stated in the Bamber Family Bible). William's sister Emily Harriet may have been living with them, at her marriage in 1883 she gives her residence as Ashenden. The moved to Ladysmith by 1886 when their son John Walton Bamber was born. Acording to Shelagh Spencer Bamber was a bookkeeper of Ladysmith by Feb. 1890 and Bessie was then in the process of opening a boarding house in Murchison St.
They were in Ladysmith during the Boer War (1899-1902) and were present during the siege of the town. Together with other civilains, they were moved to the neutral "Intombi" tented camp, which was set up by agreement between the Boer's and the British, as a safe place where civilian's and wounded soldiers could be sent.
It appears from various sources that after the siege, they returned to Pietermaritzburg, where their son Jack matriculated at Maritzburg College. For example, the Natal Almanac of 1906 lists a W Bamber living in Pietermaritzburg at 270 Bulwer St. An obituary of Jack Bamber, published in St Saviours Magazine after his death in the Battle of the Somme in 1916, states "after the relief, the family left Ladysmith for the City"
In 1916, according to the record of the death of their son Jack in the battle of the Somme, they were living at 128 Pietermaritz St, Pietermaritzburg.
At his death in 1927, his address is given as 389 Loop St, Pietermaritzburg. His occupation is listed as "Railway Pensioner"
There is a letter in the Natal Archives written by William Bamber in 1900 to the authorities, as follows:
"
Ladysmith, 10 July 1900
C.J. Bird Esq. («i»C.J Bird was a member of the Natal Governmen«/i»t)
Dear Sir
I am writing in the hopes that you can advise me how to go about to obtain information of my eldest daughter and her husband Oliver Hyslop, who when writing last held an appointment in the Netherlands Railway at Bronkhorstspruit he had then made up his mind to remain at his post, as he was (sic) assumed so long as he remained neutral, he would not be called upon to take up arms. This was in the early part of October last, and the only news I have had since was a message received by my second daughter Mrs Halsted of your city on 26th November saying "all well at present". under these circumstances you can readily believe my wife & self are anxious about them and Mrs Bamber thought I might write to you and that you would be able to advise me the best way of obtaining tidings of our daughter and family.
Believe me to be
Tours truly
W. Bamber"
Unfortunately, the reply in the same file indicates that the government was not able to provide any information about the family, caught as they were behind enemy lines.
He is often mentioned in the Natal Witness:
December 15, 1868: Occupier of 10 Church St - propoerty of Mrs Hutchinson.
July 2, 1869: Secretary of the Natal Society
July 30, 1869: Polling Officer for Town Council elections
July 30, 1869: Appears in court for city - claiming unpaid rates from Elizabeth West
November 11, 1869: Secretary of Natal Society
December 17, 1869: Secretary of Natal Society
June 21, 1870: Secretary of Natal Society
August 2, 1870: Secretary of Pietermaritzburg Amateur Dramatic Club
August 9, 1870: Performance of "The Steeplechase" by J.M. Morton - played the part of Dr Clipper.
February 10, 1871: Collector of rates
October 10, 1871: Town Council requested him to value town property
March 12, 1872: Possibly the Trooper Bamber of the Natal Carbineers , a member of the cricket team.
Sept 12, 1871: Polling officer for elections of auditors
December 1, 1871 Occupying number 188 Townlands - corporation leasehold.
March 15, 1872: Possibly Trooper Bamber of the Natal Carbineers - bowled Hill for 0 in a cricket match.
May 10, 1872 - Council meeting - whole of Mr Bamber's time to be devoted to collecting due to poor finances.
July 30, 1872: Polling officer for Town Council Elections
February 11, 1873: Appointed acting Town Clerk during absence of Mr Buchanan
February 21, 1873: Confirmation of appointment as Acting Town Clerk.
March 25, 1873: Appointed Clerk of the Scales for the May Horse races
May 9, 1873: Acting Treaurer for Town Council
May 23, 1873: Clerk of the scales for the annual horse races
January 31, 1881: Involved in an accident - thrown out of a trap and injured severely
February 21, 1881: Subscriber at 10s to the Botanical Society
- Time Line for William and Bessie Bamber
===============================
Arrived Natal on ship "Maritzburg", 536 tons, July 5, 1863 (left London April 4):
Oct 1868: Appointed Assistant Town Clerk and Collector of Rates, Pietermaritzburg July 1869 Appointed Field Cornet for electoral purposes for the Township of Pietermaritzburg.
Before March 1871: His in-laws (Thomas and Mary Burchmore) moved from Pietermaritzburg to Ladysmith
4th December 1880: Arrested and charged with embezzlement
8th Dec 1880: Dismissed from his post as Assistant Town Clerk
3rd June 1881: Found guilty, sentenced to 18 months with hard labour
1884: Living at New Hanover
Feb. 1890: A bookkeeper in Ladysmith, Bessie opening a boarding house in Murchison St.
1899-1902: In Ladysmith (present during the siege of the town).
1916: Living at 128 Pietermaritz St, Pietermaritzburg. (Record of the death of their son Jack in the battle of the Somme)
1927: William and Bessie died within 4 days of each other (William June 27, Bessie July 1), address 389 Loop St, Pietermaritzburg, occupation "Railway Pensioner"
==========================================================
«b»Transcript of Court Documents - Willam Bamber charged with embezzlement
«/b»At the Criminal Sessions of the Supreme Court of the Colony of Natal, holden at Pietermaritzburg on Friday the third day of June 1881 before his honour the Chief Justice.
In the matter of the Queen against William Bamber indicted for the crime of Embezzlement, having been arraigned pleaded "Not Guilty".
Mr. Attorney General appeared for the Crown.
Mr. Hathorn for the Prisoner.
«u»Jury Empanelled
«/u»1. John G. Shepherd
2. John Alexander van der Plank
3. William Britton
4. James Marsh
5. Edward Brenner
6. George Haynes
7. Thomas Chaplin
8. V.M. Taylor
9. John Jordan Ansell
duly sworn and charged
Verdict of the Jury. Guilty on the Third Count. Unanimously with recommendation to mercy.
Sentence. To be imprisoned in the Gaol of Pietermaritzburg or such other place as His Excellency the Governor or the Administrator of the Government for the time being shall appoint for Eighteen Calendar months with hard labour.
By the court
Sgd.
«b»Charge Sheet
«/b»Michael Henry Gallwey, Esquire, Attorney-General of our Sovereign Lady the Quen within the Colony of Natal, who prosecutes for and on behalf of her Majesty, presents and gives the court to be informed :-
That WILLIAM BAMBER, lately in the employ of the Corporation of Pietermaritzburg, as Assistant Town Clerk, and now or lately residing in the Zwartkop Valley, in the Borough of Pietermaritzburg, in the County of Pietermaritzburg, in the Colony of Natal, is guilty of the crime of «i»Embezzlement«/i»:
1. In that on, upon or about the Eighth Day of March in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighty, and at or near the Town Office, in the City of Pietermaritzburg, in the County of Pietermaritzburg, in the Colony of Natal, he, the said «i»William Bamber «/i»(being then employed as Assistant Town Clerk by the Corporation of Pietermaritzburg aforesaid), did, by virtue of his said employment, and whilst he was so employed as aforesaid, receive, or take into his possession, or custody, or care, from one William Robert Life, divers Moneys, to the amount of Eighty-three Pounds and Nineteen Shillings Sterling, for, and in the name of, and on account of, the said Corporation of Pietermaritzburg, his employers; and he, the said «i»William Bamber«/i», thereafter, to wit, upon or about some day between the Eighth day of March, in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighty, and the Thirteenth day of October, in the same Year, and at or near Pietermaritzburg aforesaid, a
«tab»2. In that, upon or about the Second day of August in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighty, and at or near the Town Office, in the City of Pietermaritzburg, in the County of Pietermaritzburg, in the Colony of Natal, he, the said «i»William Bamber «/i»(being then employed as Assistant Town Clerk by the Corporation of Pietermaritzburg aforesaid), did, by virtue of his said employment, and whilst he was so employed as aforesaid, receive, or take into his possession, or custody, or care, from certain persons trading under the style of Barnes and MacFie, Butchers, divers Moneys, amounting to the sum of Seventy-five Pounds Sterling, for, and in the name of, and on account of, the said Corporation of Pietermaritzburg, his employers; and he, the said «i»William Bamber«/i», thereafter, to wit, upon or about some day between the Second day of August, , in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighty, and the Thirteenth day of October, in the same Year, and at
3. In that, in or about the Month of August in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighty, and at or near the Town Office, in the City of Pietermaritzburg, in the County of Pietermaritzburg, in the Colony of Natal, he, the said «i»William Bamber «/i»(being then employed as Assistant Town Clerk by the Corporation of Pietermaritzburg aforesaid), did, by virtue of his said employment, and whilst he was so employed as aforesaid, receive, or take into his possession, or custody, or care, from one William Buchanan, divers Moneys, amounting to the Sum of Twenty-six Pounds, Seven Shillings, and Three Pence Sterling, for, and in the name of, and on account of, the said Corporation of Pietermaritzburg, his employers; and he, the said «i»William Bamber«/i», thereafter, to wit, upon or about some day between the Twenty-first Day of August, , in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighty, and the Thirteenth day of October, in the same Year, and at or near Pietermaritzburg
Wherefore, upon due proof and conviction thereof, the said Attorney-General prays the judgement of the Court against the said «i»William Bamber«/i», according to law.
Transcript of letter, kept in the file of the Supreme Court Proceedings:
Natal Archives. RSC 1/1/28 11/1881 Regina vs William Bamber.
Letter in file:
PMBurg
14 October 1880.
His Worship the Mayor
Sir
It is with deep regret that I have to (illegible) using Corporate Monies. I had hoped to have replaced it by this time. I will do all in my power to replace it and if the council will forgive me, I will go away for ever, I can only ask your pity and mercy for my families sake.
Yours obediently
W. Bamber
Transcript of letter from W. Bamber, kept in the file of the Supreme Court Proceedings
Zwaart Kop Valley
4«sup»th«/sup» December 1880
Mr. Kershaw Esq.
Sir
After the promise you made to my wife I was greatly surprised to find myself under arrest and I have failed to learn, why you changed your mind at the last moment. I address this letter to you with a faint hope that you will save me, for what good can it do to send me to prison, I am disgraced now as much as ever I can be, the sending me to Jail for 3 or 5 years will only add more misery to the innocent and good people with whom I am connected, for when that prison gate closes on me I shall never think I seeing (sic) my wife and children again and I now make this appeal to you for the sake of them, it is not too late to save me yet, the case will not come on until 11 o'clock on Wednesday, and there is nothing whatever, that is if you will be merciful, to prevent the Town Clerk on Wednesday next telling the Magistrate, that he has not sufficient evidence in going on with the case, and if you would only do this, I will do anything you wish. I will give you every information in my power to right the bo
In conclusion I beg of you to forgive me, think of the number of years I have been in the Corporation and the miserable salary I have had until the last two years, when I owed money that I had to mortgage my wife's property to pay it, do have mercy for her sake if none for me,
Your obedient servant
W. Bamber
==========================================================
DEPOT NAB
SOURCE MSCE
TYPE LEER
VOLUME_NO 0
SYSTEM 01
REFERENCE 12516/1927
PART 1
DESCRIPTION BAMBER, WILLIAM.
STARTING 1927
ENDING 1928
REMARKS MSCE 12 515.
Hi Ian,
I have located 3 Bamber graves.
Richard H. Bamber 1877.03.? Has a stone. No age. No grave No. Map 5 E
6. (Infant son of William and Bessie Bamber). Grave in Ang. Sect. On the
lychgate side.
William Bamber 1927.06.27. Has a stone.- Age 83. Grave No 667 Map 4 B
38. Grave with other Anglicans across the Rd. (On same stone as Bessie
Bamber.)
Bessie Bamber 1927.07.01. Has a stone - Age 82 .Grave No. 669 Map 4 B 39.
Grave next to William.(Same stone as William Bamber.) The index indicates
(see also Thomas Campbell Smith.) I have come across about 4 Thomas Smiths
but no Thomas Campbell Smith. Perhaps you might be able to throw some light
on this Thomas?
The reason for the burials being separated is because in 1926 the Anglicans
ran out of space on the Lychgate side and purchased plots from the Dutch
Reformed Church in the Section across the road.
To locate graves:- The P.M.B. Archives have indexes and a booklet of plans
and maps of the Commercial Road Cem. In the booklet of maps and plans
(about 14 pages in total) turn to page 11. Headed Church of England
Cemetery, MAP 5 - and then Miller Street. At the bottom of the map is
LYCHGATE on the right and underneath is Commercial Road. Trace your finger
up the map from the Lychgate until you come to the section marked E. Look
across to the left and find the first grave in E. which has the names Gordon
and Hammon. Under the "N" of Hammon you will find No. 6 Bamber. (Richard)
For William and Bessie see 9th page in the same booklet as above - top of
page states OLD GREY'S Map 4 and at the bottom of the page is Commercial
Road. The second section of the map is clearly marked B. and the two adult
Bamber graves are under the B. "OLD GREY'S" is the name of the old hospital
adjoining the cemetery.
Before you leave the Archives ask for photocopies of both maps and take them
with you to the cemetery as it is easier if you have a few names to assist
you as you move through the cemetery. Ask where you can obtain the key to
get into the cemeteries as they are locked. (They used to be at the garage
adjoining the Lychgate setion) You might need insect repellent as the ants
are very active, in the heat of summer!!!!. When you have entered the
cemetery opposite the Lychgate you will have to proceed parallel with the
road and pass the half-way mark of the cemetery before you come to the area
of the parents graves. When you see a notice indicating the Voortrekker
Section, start to look at the names on the map. As you come into P.M.B.
from Durban you will pass the cemetery on either side of the road.
Ian I hope that this will be a help. If you don't follow my rambling notes
(quite likely) let me know and I will try to assist. The Archives Staff
should be able to help you if you get stuck.
Good hunting and good luck.
Diane.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ian van Zyl" <«u»ian111@sympatico.ca «/u»>
To: <«u»dscogings@xtra.co.nz «/u»>
Sent: Sunday, October 29, 2006 12:40 AM
Subject: Re: [ZA-IB] PIETERMARITZBURG CEMETARIES
> Hi Diane
>
> If you are able to do look ups would you mind looking for:
>
> William Bamber (d July 1927)
> Bessie Bamber (nee Burchmore) (d July 1927)
>
> I'm planning a trip to SA in the New Year including a visit to PMB - these
> are my g-g-grandparents. I know they are in the Commercial Road cemetry a
> lookup would save me some time when I get there.
>
> Thanks
>
> Ian van Zyl
> Canada
From familytree.co.za
Bamber, William Bamber
Surname: Bamber
First Names: William Bamber
Spouse Surname: Burchmore
Spouse First Names: Bessie
Marriage Date: 06 Jul 1867
Marriage Place: At the cathedral
Minister: Very Rev. the Dean of Pietermaritzburg
Notes:
Mr. William Bamber to - Bessie youngest daughter of Mr T Burchmore, Zwaartkop Valley
Advertisment Date: 9-Jul-1867
Source: Cape Government Gazette
Transcriber: Aisha Dadoo
=======================================================
email from Ethne Hall, March 18, 2007
In answer to your query about the names on the death certificate of my grandfather (Macpherson) '96 Firstly I have never heard of either Dorothy or Kathleen. Perhaps they died at birth or at a very young age. As regards Irene there seems to be some error in the dates of birth '96 the death certificate state she was born on 7«sup»th«/sup» March 1915 but your email says she was born on 7«sup»th«/sup» March 1918. I can find no record of Irene's birth or death in Gran's old birthday book but what I can tell you, from memory, is that Granma Mac, Auntie Dulcie and Irene all attended my parent's marriage, in Vryheid on 11.11.1922. Having seen snapshots of the occasion I would quess that Auntie Dulcie was about 15 and Irene would have been 7 or 8. I have no recollection of ever having seen Irene so must assume that she died before I was born in 1925. I do know that Irene died in Ladysmith at a young
========================================================================
Bamber trial for General Page at some point:
On October 14, 1880, he was evidently accused of taking money from the Corporation. He wrote a letter to the Mayor on that date:
"PMBurg
14 October 1880.
His Worship the Mayor
Sir
It is with deep regret that I have to (illegible) using Corporate Monies. I had hoped to have replaced it by this time. I will do all in my power to replace it and if the council will forgive me, I will go away for ever, I can only ask your pity and mercy for my families sake.
Yours obediently
W. Bamber
"
He was arrested in November 1880 and accused of embezzlement. From the Natal Witness of November 27, 1880 "We regret to have to announce the arrest of Mr. Bamber, a gentleman who has been employed for now nearly twenty years in the town council as clerk and in various confidential capacities. The charge is embezzlement of corporate funds. The suspected has for years been looked upon as a reputable meber of City society, and our regret at his having exposed himself to so serious a charge is heightened by the sorrow felt for his wife and family" On December 4, 1880, the Natal Witness reported that he had been released on bail.
On the same day (December 4, 1880) he again wrote to the Mayor, Mr Kershaw, as follows:
"Zwaart Kop Valley
4«sup»th«/sup» December 1880
Mr. Kershaw Esq.
Sir
After the promise you made to my wife I was greatly surprised to find myself under arrest and I have failed to learn, why you changed your mind at the last moment. I address this letter to you with a faint hope that you will save me, for what good can it do to send me to prison, I am disgraced now as much as ever I can be, the sending me to Jail for 3 or 5 years will only add more misery to the innocent and good people with whom I am connected, for when that prison gate closes on me I shall never think I seeing (sic) my wife and children again and I now make this appeal to you for the sake of them, it is not too late to save me yet, the case will not come on until 11 o'clock on Wednesday, and there is nothing whatever, that is if you will be merciful, to prevent the Town Clerk on Wednesday next telling the Magistrate, that he has not sufficient evidence in going on with the case, and if you would only do this, I will do anything you wish. I will give you every information in my power to right the bo
In conclusion I beg of you to forgive me, think of the number of years I have been in the Corporation and the miserable salary I have had until the last two years, when I owed money that I had to mortgage my wife's property to pay it, do have mercy for her sake if none for me,
Your obedient servant
W. Bamber"
On January 1, 1881, the paper reported that the case of Mr Bamber "the late employee of the City Corporation...is still undergoing preliminary investigation" On March 3, 1881, he was committed for trial. However on May 3, 1881, the case was postponed until June, requiring renewal of his bail bond. On June 2, 1881, the Witness reported that the trial would take place the next day.
On June 4, 1881, the Witness reported extensively on the trial. Evidence for the defence was given by his father-in-law, Thomas Burchmore. The defence argued that the Corporation books were "a mass of confusion". A Mr Hathorn testified that in his opinion Mr Buchanana had received the missing money from one of the counts. The jury found Bamber guilty of one count (of three with which he was charged) and sentenced to 18 months in prison with hard labour. The count on which he was found guilty was that of taking for his own use £26 7s 3d which he had received from Mr W Buchanan.
On June 6, 1881, a letter from Mr Hathorn was published, in which he denied the rport of what he had said at the trial.
On June 9, 1881, a letter was published from Mr Buchanan stating that one of the charges was groundless and should not have been brought, as the books clearly showed the money had been paid into the corporation accounts.
On June 11, 1181, in a summary of weekly news, the Witness reported that Bamber had been "found guilty of embezzling £26 5s...and was sentenced to eighteen months imprisonment. The books were falsified to a great extent, but this was the only count on which the jury found Bamber guilty"
On August 8, 1881, the Witness reported a Town Council meeting, to elect the Mayor - speaking in support of the incumbent Mr Kershaw a Mr Griffin remarked that the books of the corporation were known to be kept in an oncomplete state before Mr Kershaw, and if precedign mayors had done their duty like Mr Kershaw, "they would not have had the grief of seeing Mr Bamber going to prison. It was through things being handled in a slip-shod mannner - clerks being allowed to do almost as they liked, things therefore being overlooked and not suspected - that this unhappy occurence took place, and had matters been attended to as they had been attneded to that year, he said that Mr bamber would have been among them that day" Mr Kershaw was defeated and a Mr Roseveare was elected mayor.
|
1844 - 1927 (82 years)
[1, 2, 3] 
