John's Story.
Sgt John McCaffry 3483 of the 4th Btn Cheshire Regiment died of bronchitis on 15th June 1900 at Queenstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa. He was 42, and left a wife and daughter.
(McCaffry / McCafferey, MacAffrey)
NB This newspaper report gives an incorrect regimental number - should be 3483.
What do we know about John?
John McCaffry was born in Ireland in 1858. The census of April 1881 shows him aged 23, a private in the 22nd Cheshire Regiment of Foot. He was stationed at the Chester Castle Barracks, and was unmarried.
Chester Castle Barracks
In the summer of 1890, John (32) married 18 year old Caroline Mary McCusker (1872–1913) in Salford. Caroline's father Francis was also of Irish descent and a sergeant in the army. Caroline had been born in Aldershot, Hampshire. John and Caroline appear in the census of April 1891, living at the Militia Barracks, Crompton Street, Macclesfield. By this time, John had been promoted to sergeant.
On 21st September 1893, their daughter Maud was born, and she was baptised on 8th October, at St Alban's Catholic Church in Macclesfield. Her surname is written as McCafferey.
Scene of the utmost enthusiasm ...
In February 1900, the 4th Btn Cheshire Regiment were deployed to South Africa, transferring from their garrison duy in Tipperary in Ireland. On Tuesday 20th February, three hundred soldiers from Macclesfield were sent on their way with great crowds of well-wishers cheering them off at the station.
The Chronicle 21.2.1900
They sailed from the port of Queenstown in Cork, southern Ireland (now known as Cobh) aboard the steamship Orotava.
Queenstown harbour c.1900 (ship unknown)
The Orotava arrived at Queenstown on Saturday (24th Feb 1900) and embarked ... 26 officers and 627 men of the 4/Cheshire Regiment. (London Times Feb 1900)
The trooping ship SS Orotava reached Cape Town on 16th March 1900, after a three week voyage.
Three months later, on 15th June 1900, John died of bronchitis at Queenstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa. He was aged 42. His medals list shows that he was awarded the Queen's South Africa medal with a clasp for Cape Colony.
He is remembered on the Cheshire Regiment Memorial at Chester Cathedral, and his name is inscribed on a brass plaque in the south porch of St Michael and All Angels Church, Macclesfield.
John's widow Caroline married William McNee in 1904, and they had three more children - Margaret, Constance and Beatrice. Caroline McNee died in 1913. John's daughter Maud married Joseph Barlow in 1925, and died in Salford on 16th April 1982.
Researched by S. Lewington (July 2025)
(McCaffry / McCafferey, MacAffrey)
NB This newspaper report gives an incorrect regimental number - should be 3483.
What do we know about John?
John McCaffry was born in Ireland in 1858. The census of April 1881 shows him aged 23, a private in the 22nd Cheshire Regiment of Foot. He was stationed at the Chester Castle Barracks, and was unmarried.
Chester Castle Barracks
In the summer of 1890, John (32) married 18 year old Caroline Mary McCusker (1872–1913) in Salford. Caroline's father Francis was also of Irish descent and a sergeant in the army. Caroline had been born in Aldershot, Hampshire. John and Caroline appear in the census of April 1891, living at the Militia Barracks, Crompton Street, Macclesfield. By this time, John had been promoted to sergeant.
On 21st September 1893, their daughter Maud was born, and she was baptised on 8th October, at St Alban's Catholic Church in Macclesfield. Her surname is written as McCafferey.
Scene of the utmost enthusiasm ...
In February 1900, the 4th Btn Cheshire Regiment were deployed to South Africa, transferring from their garrison duy in Tipperary in Ireland. On Tuesday 20th February, three hundred soldiers from Macclesfield were sent on their way with great crowds of well-wishers cheering them off at the station.
The Chronicle 21.2.1900
They sailed from the port of Queenstown in Cork, southern Ireland (now known as Cobh) aboard the steamship Orotava.
Queenstown harbour c.1900 (ship unknown)
The Orotava arrived at Queenstown on Saturday (24th Feb 1900) and embarked ... 26 officers and 627 men of the 4/Cheshire Regiment. (London Times Feb 1900)
The trooping ship SS Orotava reached Cape Town on 16th March 1900, after a three week voyage.
Three months later, on 15th June 1900, John died of bronchitis at Queenstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa. He was aged 42. His medals list shows that he was awarded the Queen's South Africa medal with a clasp for Cape Colony.
He is remembered on the Cheshire Regiment Memorial at Chester Cathedral, and his name is inscribed on a brass plaque in the south porch of St Michael and All Angels Church, Macclesfield.
John's widow Caroline married William McNee in 1904, and they had three more children - Margaret, Constance and Beatrice. Caroline McNee died in 1913. John's daughter Maud married Joseph Barlow in 1925, and died in Salford on 16th April 1982.
Researched by S. Lewington (July 2025)