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From: "Gavin Came" <>
Subject: Re: Buenos Ayres
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1999 20:46:48 +0200


Hi Robin

I have a great Grandfather who emigrated to Sa from aplace referred to in my
family bible as Los Veronis South America. His name was Donald McKay. Can
you help

Gavin Came
-----Original Message-----
From: robin volkers <>
To: <>
Date: 03 January 1999 05:09
Subject: Buenos Ayres

>It is not, I think, widely known that in 1806 the British set off to
>capture Buenos Ayres, then belonging to Spain. This is probably because,
>after initial success (and the transfer to England of much money) the
>whole force was surrendered to the local people who had risen up against
>both the Spanish and the British.
>
>The expedition was mounted from Capetown, and sailed off via St Helena,
>being joined there by a small contingent from the EI Co's forces from
>the island. This consited of a company of infantry and a company of
>artillery.
>
>At the time, serving in the artillery on St Helena, were Francis Volkers
>(my GGGf) and Peter Volkers, whom I believe was his brother. There were
>also about 50 Dutch artillerymen, and I suspect that they were not
>well-liked, because all but a handful (Francis V was one) were sent off
>with the detachment. There are few records of the fate of the soldiers
>(officers, of course, were different, as ever) and this is partly
>because all the regimental papers were lost when the force surrendered.
>As a sideline, the colours of the 71st Regiment were surrendered and are
>still hanging in the Cathedral in Buenos Ayres.
>
>After the surrender, the soldiers were spread around the country, with
>many working as servants, until a treaty was signed, and they were
>repatriated. Many seem to have remained behind, effectively deserting,
>and there are apparently still Argentine families with names which
>indicate this origin. A close scrutiny of records for St Helena, reveals
>that only one or two of the Dutchmen returned. The possibilities are (1)
>that they all died, or (2) that they remained in Argentina, or (3) that
>they were sent to some other country.
>
>My theory is that they remained in Argentina, and would have been
>welcome as founder members of the Artillery of the new independant
>country. It seems unlikely that all 45 or so died. There is however the
>possibility that they managed to get to Capetown.
>
>Amongst these missing men was Peter Volkers, and I would welcome any
>comment or information.
>
>Robin Volkers
>
>
>
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