KFA - Started the first 'duka' in Eldoret with H. Wreford Smith

Eldoret - was a most outstanding character in the district. His uncle, John McNab, was chief of the clan McNab. His second old Scottish name, Mundell, is a family connection in direct line of descent from King Robert the Bruce. Mundell fought in the Boer War; he was a Mounted Policeman, gold miner and trader and went through many thrilling experiences. In 1910 he arrived at the place where Eldoret now stands. There were then only a few British and Dutch residents in the vicinity engaged in primitive farming, hunting, etc. He opened up a little trading store with Wreford Smith which soon afterwards acquired the dignity and importance of becoming the local post office. To this little establishment was also added a bar, the "Ratpit", which had its door broken about 3 a.m. one night by a very thirsty person. The door was not replaced for a whole year and during that time the few settlers already mentioned just helped themselves to the stock when they pleased and left in payment either cash or "chits". It is interesting to learn that not a cent was lost.

J. McNab Mundell went off during WW1 and was commissioned in the EAMR. He returned after the War and resumed business in Eldoret and was a cattle dealer, auctioneer and estate agent. He was a leading member of the Township committee before the local Government was formed. He was a member and Chairman of the Eldoret Municipal Board and Council, which he served on right up to the end of the last war. He was a member of the Eldoret Club right from its inception. He served again during the last war and retired at the end of it as Captain and resumed business in Eldoret until he left and retired to Mombasa as an estate agent, where he died. The whole of his life was devoted to public service in Eldoret and district.

Eldoret - With a partner, Jim Robinson, Selby built a large 'barrack-like' mud and wattle building with an iron roof near the post office. Hardly had they started business when it was sold to H. Wreford-Smith and McNab Mundell. Smith Mundell, general dealers, undertook the first major marketing deal recorded on the Plateau when in 1911-12 they exported 10,000 lb. of wool of all grades at prices ranging from 10 to 37 cents a lb. ......... Smith Mundell opened a rest house behind their shop, which was known as the Rat Pit, presumably because there were 20 beds in a mud and wattle room 30 feet by twenty. At one time this establishment became so notorious for its poker schools that it earned the soubriquet of the Wobber's Woost. One of the first casualties was the Postmaster who had to be drafted away from temptation.

Hut - 1910 - Police, Trader, Gold, Sosiani Stores, Auctioneer, partner with Wreford Smith, PO Ratpit, EAMR WW1, Estate Agent, went to Mombasa

Curtis - p.111 - 'Leighton Farm, Turbo' by Mavis Birdsey - ' ........ At last we arrived at "64" and camped on the outskirts of the little village, at the edge where the game still grazed. There was only one European shop. We camped overnight to replenish stores, so many things had to be bought, but Smith, Mundell and Stredling seemed to have all our needs. How they kept up their supplies in the little shop was a miracle, for the paraffin oil, the flour and the tinned foods were all there. ....... we arrived at Mr Wreford Smith's farm, one of the partners in the little shop in Eldoret. We knew him well as he had been a neighbour in South Africa.

East Africa & Rhodesia - 18/6/53 - Mr J. McNab Mundell, who has died in Kenya went to East Africa in 1911 after retiring from the 15th Hussars, and started the first store in what is now Eldoret. In the 1914-18 war he served with the EAMR, and later as a political officer in German territory. After selling his business some years ago he went to live in Mombasa.

Red 22 - Honorary Permit Issuer - J. Mundell, Hoeys Store, Sergoit, Uasin Gishu

Red 22 - Steward, Uasin Gishu Gymkhana Club, Eldoret

EAMR - Judge at Military Sports - Christmas 1915

Gazette - 7/1/14 - Partnership between V.P. Miller and J. Mundrell as Boarding House Keepers dissolved from 1/1/14

Gazette - 7/4/15 - Liable for Jury service, Uasin Gishu Plateau - J.M. Mundell, Farm No. 64

Nicholls - 1910 - two British businessmen, Herbert Wreford Smith and John McNab Mundell, left their mining interests in the Orange Free State and built a hotel and bar of wattle and daub. Social life centred on this bar, known colloquially as the 'Rat Pt'.

Medals - East African Political Department - EAMR, No. 1, Regimental Serjeant Major

Barnes - Mombasa Cemetery - Mr Macnab Mundell, died 4 May 1953 age 70, European Hospital, Coronary Thrombosis

mini-Sitrep XXXII - at first meeting of Eldoret Elected Council on 8 April 1930 - Capt. J. McNab Mundell JP

Red Book 1912 - J.M. Mundell - Uasin Gishu

Macmillan 1930 - Kenya Colony is rich in men of strong personality. This is applicable more especially to the early pioneers who hunted and traded there before its various little towns existed and there were no civilized comforts such as are now provided  almost everywhere. Prominent amongst the fine fellows in the Eldoret district is Mr J. McNab Mundell. His uncle the late Mr John McNab was at one time Chief of the Clan McNab; and his second old Scottish name, Mundell is a family connection in direct line of descent from King Robert the Bruce. With such a blood inheritance it is not surprising that when the Boer War broke out young "Mac" ran away from his Highland home and making his age greater than his 16 years warranted enlisted at Canterbury as a trooper in the 9th Lancers in which regiment he served for 8 years. Thereafter he was successively a mounted policeman, gold miner and trader and went through many thrilling experiences. In 1910 he arrived at the place where Eldoret now stands and which at that time was virgin uncultivated land known under Government grant as "Farm 64".

There were about 15 British and Dutch residents in the district engaged in primitive farming, hunting etc. Mr Mundell with 2 others realising the potentialities of the country determined to settle down there and accordingly opened a little trading store which soon afterwards acquired the dignity and importance of becoming the local post office. It was constructed of wattle and daub and was probably the most primitive building in which His Majesty's mails were ever handled at least in East Africa. The mails such as they were were conveyed between it and Kipigori by native runners. To the little establishment was also added a bar that had its door broken about 3 am one morning by some person with a very urgent thirst. The door was not replaced  for a whole year and during that time the few white settlers already mentioned just helped themselves to the stock of beverages when they pleased and left in payment either cash or 'chits'. It is interesting to learn that not a cent was lost nor was the proprietors' sporting trust in their customers taken advantage of in any way.

The Eldoret pioneers were certainly very worthy fellows although they did have many hilarious occasions that are even yet talked about when some of them still left foregather at the Central Lounge dignified successor to the former wild "Rat Pit" in the main street of the town. …………… Mr Mundell in partnership with Mr Wreford Smith and Mr C. Stradling erected a larger and much better general merchandise store which was the first of Eldoret's buildings and greatly enlerged and improved  is now occupied by Messrs S. Jacobs (Eldoret) Ltd. They also started to build the Eldoret Hotel; but in the midst of their enterprising activities the Great War broke out and Mr Mundell claiming his right as an old soldier to be the first to join up was entrusted with the command of a body of local men including ex-colonels, majors, captains etc. eager like himself for the service  of King and country and took them to Nairobi where their extraordinary appearance and equipment caused no small sensation. Mr Mundell was followed to Nairobi by his partners who also had enlisted  and their business affairs were for the duration of the war left in abeyance. Mr Mundell rendered service as a Sergeant-Major in the EAMR and afterwards as a political officer with the rank of Captain. Just as he was one of the first civilians to join His Majesty's Forces in East Africa so also was he one of the last to be disbanded after the Armistice. After a visit to the old country, the second in 29 years Mr Mundell returned to Eldoret where he resumed his business activities and became one of the most active and influential men in the creation of the flourishing little town. Included amongst his various enterprises is the Pioneer Garage the first undertaking of the kind to be started there which was eventually sold.

Red Book 1919 - Permit Issuer - Naivasha - J. Mundell, Hoey's Store, Sergoit, Uasin Gishu

Red 25 - Honorary Permit Issuer.

Red 25 - Vice-President, Uasin Gishu Gymkhana Club, Eldoret.

EAMR - Photo - Sergeants' Mess

Gazette 6 Dec 1938 Uasin Gishu Voters Roll

President, Mombasa Club 1950