Mervyn.
I agree that his past military record could be a problem - obviously the Canadian military were only too glad to get a volunteer, and didn't ask for his record.
My only cousin in Northern Ireland has an old photo of a young uniformed man wearing a "pillbox" hat. He thinks it is Willy John (not the hat!).
To me, the young man looks more like a bandsman, and I would guess that the Transvaal Police would wear something like a bush hat.
I have emailed the Museum in Pretoria, so I can only wait..
Thank you, I do appreciate your suggestions. Maybe I'll try a long shot and try a letter to a local newspaper in Lisburn, County Down.
Maurice Irvine