MAGERSFONTEIN
BOER WAR MEMORIALS, MAGERSFONTEIN, SOUTH AFRICA
Boer
War - Detailed information
Compiled and Copyright © Colyn Brookes 2008
There
are several Magersfontein Boer War Memorials to the battle that took
place there 11th December 1899 which are to be found at the battle site.
Listed here is the memorial to the Black Watch and also to other Regiments
(on three memorials) who also lost their lives.
BLACK
WATCH MEMORIAL
11TH DECEMBER 1899
ADAMS |
James |
|
AMES |
James |
|
ANDERSON |
James |
|
ARMIT |
George |
|
ARMSTRONG |
John |
|
ARMSTRONG |
John |
|
BALFOUR |
George |
|
BARR |
Alexander |
|
BERTHON |
Herbert
Cecil Willoughby |
Lieutenant,
2nd Battalion, Royal Highlanders (Black Watch). Died of wounds,
received on 11 December 1899 at the Battle of Magersfontein, 15
December 1899. Also listed on Edinburgh,
Black Watch, Boer War Memorial and on Clevedon
Peace Memorial
Extract
from The Last Post - Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa
1899-1902 by Mildred G Dooner, published by Naval and Military
Press
BERTHON
- Lieut. Herbert Cecil Willoughby Berthon, of Cleeve Court, Somersetshire,
2nd Batt. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) died on Dec. 15th, 1899,
at, of wounds received at Magersfontein. He was the son of the
late Major-Gen. T. P. Berthon, of West Mount, Ryde, Isle of Wight,
and was born June 10th, 1865. Lieut. Berthon served in the ranks
nearly seven years and gained his commission as 2nd lieut. in
the East Yorkshire Regt., Jan., 1894; promoted lieut. Oct., 1896,
and transferred to the Royal Highlanders, Oct., 1897. He served
with the Kimberley Relief Force under Lieut.-Gen. Lord Methuen
previous to being wounded at Magersfontein.
|
BETT |
Andrew
M |
|
BLACK
|
Alexander |
|
BOND |
Frank |
|
BROWN
|
Robert |
|
BROWNING |
J |
|
CALDWELL |
Kenneth |
|
CAMERON |
John |
|
CONNELLY |
Henry |
|
COODE |
John
Henry Collier |
Lieutenant
Colonel, 2nd Battalion, Royal Highlanders (Black Watch). Killed
in action 11 December 1899 at the Battle of Magersfontein. Aged
43. Son of General J.P. Coode (Madras Army). Married Nellie daughter
of Captain C. J. Harford. 73rd Foot 1875 Black Watch 1882 Lieutenant
Colonel 1898 in command of the Regiment in South Africa 1899 Also
listed on Edinburgh,
Black Watch, Boer War Memorial and Haileybury
School, Hertfordshire
Extract
from The Last Post - Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa
1899-1902 by Mildred G Dooner, published by Naval and Military
Press
Coode.—Lieut.-Col.
John Henry Collier Coode, 2nd Batt. Black Watch, was killed in
action at Magersfontein on Dec.11th, 1899. He was a son of Gen.
J. P. Coode, Madras Army, and was born June, 1856. He joined the
73rd Foot, Sept., 1875, being promoted capt. April, 1882, major
Aug., 189o, and lieut.-col. July, 1898. He served as adjutant
to the Auxiliary Forces from May, 1884-89. He married in Dec.,
1884, Nellie, fourth daughter of Capt. C. J. Harford, formerly
of the nth Lancers and r5th Hussars. Lieut.-Col. Coode went to
South Africa in Oct., 1899, in command of his battalion, which
then joined the Kimberley Relief Force shortly before the action
at Magersfontein.
|
COWAN |
George |
|
CUMMING-BRUCE |
James
Frederick Thurlow (The Honourable) |
Captain,
2nd Battalion, Royal Highlanders (Black Watch). Died of wounds
11 December 1899 at the Battle of Magersfontein. Aged 32. Son
of Lord Thurlow. Husband of Cecily Clifton. Also listed on Edinburgh,
Black Watch, Boer War Memorial
Extract
from The Last Post - Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa
1899-1902 by Mildred G Dooner, published by Naval and Military
Press
Cumming-Bruce.
- Capt. the Hon. James Frederick Thurlow Cumming-Bruce, p.s.c.,
2nd Batt. Royal Highlanders, died of wounds received in action
at Magersfontein, Dec. 11th, 1899. He was the eldest son
of Lord and Lady Thurlow, and, on his mother’s side, grandson
of the late Earl of Elgin. He was born in 1867, educated at Eton
(Dr. Warre’s), whence he passed direct into the Royal Military
College, Sandhurst, and joined the Royal Highianders, Sept., 1885,
being promoted capt. Feb., 1893. He embarked for South Africa
in Oct., 1899, with his battalion which, on arrival, joined the
Kimberley Relief Force. After he was wounded at Magersfontein
he was removed to the hospital at Wynberg, where he died a few
days after the battle in which his battalion suffered so severely.
Capt. Cumming-Bruce married in 1891, Cecily, daughter of the late
T. H. Clifton, Esq., Lytham Hall, Lancashire.
|
CUMMINGS |
George |
|
CUTHBERT |
William |
|
DOUGLAS |
Robert |
|
DRYSDALE |
William |
|
EDMONDS |
Nicholas
Gifford |
Lieutenant,
2nd Battalion, Royal Highlanders (Black Watch). Killed in action
11 December 1899 at the Battle of Magersfontein. Aged 27. Born December
1872. Son of W. Edmonds, of Colyton. Also listed on Edinburgh,
Black Watch, Boer War Memorial
Extract
from The Last Post - Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa
1899-1902 by Mildred G Dooner, published by Naval and Military
Press
Edmonds.—Lieut.
Nicholas Gifford Edmonds, 2nd Batt. Royal Highlanders, was killed
in action at Magersfontein, Dec. 11th, 1899. He was the son of
W. Edmonds, Esq., of Wiscome Park, Colyton, was born Dec., 1872,
and educated at Wellington, where he was in Saunders' House, 1887-90.
He joined the Royal Highlanders, from the Royal Military College,
Oct., 1893, being promoted lieut. May, 1898. He embarked for South
Africa with his battalion in Oct., 1899.
|
ELTON |
Erle
Godfrey |
Captain,
2nd Battalion, Royal Highlanders (Black Watch). Killed in action
11 December 1899 at the Battle of Magersfontein. Aged 30. Born June
1869. Son of Colonel F.C. Elton (Royal Artillery). Also listed on
Edinburgh,
Black Watch, Boer War Memorial and Dover
Borough Memorial
Extract
from The Last Post - Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa
1899-1902 by Mildred G Dooner, published by Naval and Military
Press
Elton.—Capt.
Erle Godfrey Elton, 2nd Batt. Royal Highlanders, was killed in
action at Magersfontein Dec. 11th, 1899. He was a son of Col.
F. C. Elton, R.A. Capt. Elton was born June, 1869, and educated
at Wellington, where he was in the "Hill" 1882-86.
He entered the R.M.C., Sandhurst, in the latter year, and joined
his Regiment in Aug., 1888, was promoted lieut. Aug., 1890, and
capt. July, 1898. He embarked with his battalion for South Africa
in Oct., 1899.
|
FOX |
Charles |
|
FOX |
John
|
Private,
6888, 2nd Battalion, Royal Highlanders (Black Watch). Wopunded 11
December 1899 at the Battle of Magersfontein, died of wounds 10
January 1900 at Colesberg. Reported in News of the World 14 January
1900. Also listed on Edinburgh,
Black Watch, Boer War Memorial |
FRASER |
Alexander |
|
GARDINER |
William |
|
GIBBS |
Joseph
F |
|
GIBSON |
John
D |
|
GODFREY |
Thomas |
|
GOWRIE |
Thomas |
|
GRANT |
James |
|
GRAY |
Robert |
|
HARDIE |
John |
|
HARRIS |
James |
|
HENDERSON |
Robert |
|
HIGH |
David |
|
HILL |
David |
|
HOLDEN |
Henry |
|
HUNTINGTON |
George |
|
JAMES |
Charles |
|
JESS |
Alexander |
|
KEDIE |
William |
Private,
6793, 2nd Battalion, Royal Highlanders (Black Watch). Killed in
action 11 December 1899 at the Battle of Magersfontein. Aged 19.
Born Melgund Place, Hawick. Resident Thirlstane. Nephew of Mr Kedie,
Blacksmith, of Drumlanrig Square, Hawick. Moved to Dundee when he
was aged 7. Also listed on Edinburgh,
Black Watch, Boer War Memorial |
KENNY |
Joseph
Henry |
|
KIRKWOOD |
John |
|
LAIRD |
James |
|
McFARLANE |
William |
[Listed
as MacFARLANE on memorial] Captain/Adjutant, 2nd Battalion, Royal
Highlanders (Black Watch). Killed in action 11 December 1899 at
the Battle of Magersfontein. Aged 32. Born December 1867. Also
listed on Edinburgh,
Black Watch, Boer War Memorial
Extract
from The Last Post - Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa
1899-1902 by Mildred G Dooner, published by Naval and Military
Press
MacFarlan.
- Capt. William MacFarlan, adjutant 2nd Batt. Royal Highianders,
was killed in action at the engagement at Magersfontein, Dec.
11th, 1899. He was born Dec., 1867, educated at Loretto School,
Musselburgh, where he played in the cricket XL, and entered the
Royal Highlanders Feb., 1888, being promoted lìeut. May,
1890, and capt. May, 1898. He was adjutant of his battalion from
May, 1897. At Magersfontein, Capt. MacFarlan, with a small party
of twenty to thirty men, rushed up the south-eastern corner of
the hill, but the converging fire of our infantry and artillery
forced them back, and he afterwards fell mortally wounded.
|
MacLAINE |
William |
|
MANN |
James |
|
MASSIE |
James |
Private,
6783, 2nd Battalion, Royal Highlanders (Black Watch). Killed in
action 11 December 1899 at the Battle of Magersfontein. [Spelt MASSEY
on his grave] Also listed on Edinburgh,
Black Watch, Boer War Memorial |
MASTERSON |
Adam |
[Listed
as MNASTERTON on Edinburgh memorial] Private, 4137, 2nd Battalion,
Royal Highlanders (Black Watch). Killed in action 11 December 1899
at the Battle of Magersfontein. Also listed on Edinburgh,
Black Watch, Boer War Memorial |
MAXWELL |
Hugh |
|
McCOLL |
John |
|
McDONALD |
J |
|
McDONALD |
W |
Private,
6097, 2nd Battalion, Royal Highlanders (Black Watch). Killed in
action 11 December 1899 at the Battle of Magersfontein. |
McGREGOR |
John |
|
McHARDY |
James |
|
McMILLAN |
John |
|
McMILLAN |
John |
|
MORRIS
|
James |
|
OGG |
John |
|
PATTERSON |
James |
[Listed
as PATERSON on memorial] Private, 7119, 2nd Battalion, Royal Highlanders
(Black Watch). Killed in action 11 December 1899 at the Battle of
Magersfontein. Also listed on Edinburgh,
Black Watch, Boer War Memorial |
PATERSON |
Joseph |
[Listed
as PATERSON on memorial] Colour Sergeant, 2240, 2nd Battalion, Royal
Highlanders (Black Watch). Killed in action 11 December 1899 at
the Battle of Magersfontein. Also listed on Edinburgh,
Black Watch, Boer War Memorial |
PERT |
John |
|
POWRIE |
John |
Private,
6442, 2nd Battalion, Royal Highlanders (Black Watch). Killed in
action 11 December 1899 at the Battle of Magersfontein. Interred
in Kimberley,West End Cemetery. Also listed on Edinburgh,
Black Watch, Boer War Memorial
Extract
from People's Journal, 23 December 1899, Dundee.
Private
John Powrie who first reported wounded after the battle of Magersfontein,
has since been included among the slain. His parents live in Hawkhill,
the father being employed in a local factory. John joined the
Black Watch at Dundee three and a half years ago, and was stationed
with his regiment first at York, and then at Aldershot. (Aldershot,
Hampshire/Hants.) When the war broke out he left with his comrades
for the front. Enlisting while very young, Powrie was not yet
of age, and his parents are naturally keenly grieved over his
loss. Only several days ago they received a letter from him couched
in very enduring terms. It was posted at Naauwpoort. (Juntion).
John
came from Benvie Road, Dundee and was an NCO during that war.
(sent by Ian Edwards, off the Angus Rootsweb list) Another book
states "Powrie, John, Benvie Road, Dundee; Private, 11th
Hussars" [468] (muster picture enclosed) was sent by another
kind soul, Peter Freshwater. He joined the 11th Hussars and then
the 2nd Battalion, Blackwatch.
|
RAMSAY |
Nigel
Neiss |
Lieutenant,
2nd Battalion, Royal Highlanders (Black Watch). Killed in action
11 December 1899 at the Battle of Magersfontein. Also listed on
Edinburgh,
Black Watch, Boer War Memorial
Extract
from The Last Post - Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa
1899-1902 by Mildred G Dooner, published by Naval and Military
Press
Ramsay.—Lieut.
Nigel Neis Ramsay, 2nd Batt. Royal Highlanders, was killed in
action at Magersfontein Dec. 11th, 1899. He was born in 1876,
educated at Winchester, and joined the Royal Highlanders in Sept.,
1896, being promoted lieut. Aug., 1898. Lieut. Ramsay sailed with
his battalion for South Africa in Nov. 1899, and joined the Kimberley
Relief Force under Lieut.-Gen. Lord Methuen just before the battle
of Magersfontein, in which he fell.
|
ROBERTSON |
George |
|
ROBINS |
Ernest
G |
|
ROOT
|
Charles
P |
[Also
spelt ROOTE in some documents] Lance Corporal, 6854, 2nd Battalion,
Royal Highlanders (Black Watch). Killed in action 11 December 1899
at the Battle of Magersfontein. Also listed on Edinburgh,
Black Watch, Boer War Memorial |
ROSS |
Angus
M |
|
SCOTT |
W
A |
|
SCULLIN |
Ambrose |
|
SHARP |
James |
|
SHARP |
Charles |
|
SINCLAIR |
James |
|
SMITH |
Thomas |
|
SMITH |
James |
|
SOPER |
E
A |
[Listed
as G A SOPER on memorial] Lance Corporal, 6878, 2nd Battalion, Royal
Highlanders (Black Watch). Killed in action 11 December 1899 at
the Battle of Magersfontein. Also listed on Edinburgh,
Black Watch, Boer War Memorial |
SPICER |
E
A |
Private,
4139, 2nd Battalion, Royal Highlanders (Black Watch). Killed in
action 11 December 1899 at the Battle of Magersfontein. |
STEVENSON |
M |
|
STEWART |
David |
|
TAIT |
Maitland |
|
TAYLOR |
Robert |
|
THOMPSON |
Joseph |
|
WATERMAN |
James
T |
|
WAUCHOPE,
CB, CMG |
Andrew
Gilbert |
Major
General, 1st Battalion attached 2nd Battalion, Royal Highlanders
(Black Watch). Killed in action 11 December 1899 at the Battle of
Magersfontein. Aged 53. Born July 1846. Son of Andrew Wauchope,
of Niddrie Marischal, Midlothian. Joined the 42nd Foot in 1865.
Served in Ashanti 1873 (medal and clasp, MID, wounded twice), Egypt
1882 (medal and clasp, Khedives star), Sudan 1884 (2 bars), Nile
expedition 1884-5 (2 bars, wounded), Sudan 1898 (medal, Khedives
medal and clasp). Also listed on Edinburgh,
Black Watch, Boer War Memorial
Extract
from The Last Post - Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa
1899-1902 by Mildred G Dooner, published by Naval and Military
Press
Wauchope.
— Maj.-Gen. Andrew Gilbert Wauchope, C.B., C.M.G., was killed
in action at Magersfontein Dec. 1 ith, 1899. He was the only surviving
son of the late Andrew Wauchope, Esq., D.L., J.P., of Niddrie
Marischal, Midlothian, and was born in July, 1846. He joined the
42nd Foot in Nov., 1865, was promoted lieut. June, 1867, capt,
Sept., 1878, major March, 1884, brevet-. lieut.-col. May, 1884,
lieut.-col. Aug., 1894, col. May, 1898, and maj.-gen. in Nov.,
1898. He served in the Ashantee War from the 30th Nov., 1873,
and commanded the Winnebah Company of Russell's Regiment as far
as the Adansi Hills. He was then appointed staff officer to Sir
J. M'Leod, commanding the advanced guard of F.-M. Lord Wolseley's
force, and was present at the capture and destruction of Adubiassie,
capture of Bor-borassie, battle of Amoaful, capture and destruction
of Becquah, the advanced guard engagement of Jarbinbah (wounded
slightly), skirmishes and ambuscade affairs between Adwabin and
the river Ordah, the battle of Ordahsu (severely wounded), and
capture of Kumassi, being mentioned in despatches and receiving
the medal with clasp. He served with the 1st Batt. Black Watch
in the Egyptian War of 1882, and was present at the battle of
Tel-el-Kebir, receiving the medal with clasp and Khedive's star.
He took part in the Soudan Expedition under Sir Gerald Graham
in 1884, as D.A.A. and Q.M.G., and was present in the engagement
at El Teb (severely wounded), being mentioned in despatches and
receiving the brevet of lieut.-col. and two clasps. He also served
in the Nile expedition, 1884-85, with the 1st Batt. of the Black
Watch, and was with the river column under Maj.-Gen. Earle, and
was present in the engagement at Kirbekan, being very severely
wounded (two clasps). His next war experience was in the campaign
in the Soudan under Lord (then Sir Herbert) Kitchener in 1898,
when he was in command of the 1st Brigade British Division, and
was present at the battle of Khartoum, being mentioned in despatches
and promoted maj.-gen. for distinguished service in the field,
and received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament, and the
British medal and Khedive's medal with clasp. Gen. Wauchope had
only joined the Kimberley Relief Force, under Lieut.-Gen. Lord
Methuen, a few days before the battle of Magersfontein; at this
action he was in command of the Highland Brigade, which in the
early dawn was suddenly exposed to a terrific infantry fire at
close range. "The Times History of the War" thus describes
what took place : " At the first burst of fire Gen. Wauchope,
at once realising the cause of the disaster, walked forward in
front of the leading companies to ascertain, if possible, how
far the advanced trenches extended. A glance at the line of flashes
was enough. He immediately sent back his cousin to tell the Black
Watch to reinforce on the right as quickly as they could. Young
Wauchope ran back along the lines of prostrate men, gave the order
to Col. Coode and to all the officers he could see, and then hurried
forward again to the spot where he had left the general alone.
But before he returned Wauchope had fallen, and a moment later
his devoted A.D.C. fell wounded too." [Capt. Wauchope survived
his wounds.] " Coode gallantly led his men forward, but was
killed almost immediately. Next day all three were found close
together within 200 yards of the trenches." Describing this
battle, Sir A. Conan Doyle states he has been assured by a Boer
who was present that " it was the sound of the tins attached
to the alarm wires which disturbed" the enemy ; and that
" in an instant there crashed out of the darkness a roar
of point blank fire." The storm of lead burst upon the column
"which broke to pieces under the murderous volley."
"Wauchope was shot, struggled up, and fell once more for
ever." Major-Gen. Wauchope is buried at Magersfontein, close
to, and in front of the graves of the fallen of his devoted Highland
brigade. He was always known by his intimate friends as "Andy"
Wauchope, and was universally popular and beloved.
|
WHITEHEAD |
Andrew |
|
WILLIAMS |
Charles |
|
WILSON |
John |
|
WILSON |
Robert |
|
YOUNG |
John |
|
IN
MEMORY OF THE
FOLLOWING OFFICERS AND
UNKNOWN MEN WHO WERE
KILLED NEAR THIS SPOT
DURING THE BATTLE OF
MAGERSFONTEIN 11TH DECEMBER
1899 WHO WERE ORGINALLY
INTERRED HERE AND NOW LIE
BURIED IN THE GARDEN OF
REMEMBRANCE, WEST END
CEMETERY, KIMBERLEY. |
LAMBTON |
Alexander
Frederick |
Captain,
1st Battalion, Highland Light Infantry. Killed in action 11 December
1899 at Magersfontein. Aged 30. Born January 1869. Son of Lieutenant-Colonel
Francis William Lambton (Scots Guards), of Brownslade, Pembrokshire.
Brother of Ronald Robert Lambton also killed in the same war. Also
listed on the Haverfordwest
Boer Memorial
Extract
from The Last Post: Roll of Officers Who Fell in South Africa
1899-1902 by Mildred G Dooner reprinted by Naval & Military
Press
Lambton.
- Alexander Frederick Lambton, 1st Batt. Highland Light Infantry,
was killed in action at Magersfontein Dec. 11th, 1899. He was the
second son of Lieut.-Col. Francis William Lambton, of Brownslade,
Pembrokeshire, late Scots Guards, by his marriage with Lady Victoria
Alexandrina Elizabeth, eldest daughter of John Frederick, second
Earl of Cawdor. He was also grandson of William Henry Lambton, Esq.,
of Biddick Hall, Durham, brother of the first Earl of Durham. Capt.
Lambton was born in Jan. 1869, and educated at Wellington, where
he was in the Orange 1880-85, and during the latter year was a Prefect.
He joined the Highland Light Infantry from the Royal Military College
Aug., 1888, being promoted lieut. May, 1890, and capt. May, 1896.
He took part in the occupation of Crete in 1898, including the affair
of Sept. 6th, being mentioned in despatches, London Gazette, Jan.
24th, 1899. He embarked for South Africa in Oct. 1899, with his
battalion, and joined the Kimberley Relief Force under Lieut.-Gen.
Lord Methuen shortly before the battle of Magersfontein. His brother
Lieut. Ronald Robert Lambton was killed with the 1st. Batt. Durham
Light Infantry. |
MacKENZIE |
Kenneth
Ross |
Major,
2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. Killed in action 11 December
1899 at Magersfontein. Aged 44. Born May 1855. Served Afghanistan
1879 (medal), Hazara 1888 and 1891 (medal & 2 clasps), Chitral
1895 (medal & clasp). |
RUTHERFORD-CLARK |
J |
Captain,
Seaforth Highlanders. Killed in action 11 December 1899 at Magersfontein.
|
COWIE |
William
Russell |
Lieutenant,
Seaforth Highlanders. Killed in action 11 December 1899 at Magersfontein.
Aged 21. Born February 1878. |
S.A.
WAR GRAVES BOARD
1963 |
IN
MEMORY OF THE
FOLLOWING OFFICERS AND MEN,
WHO WERE KILLED NEAR THIS
SPOT DURING THE BATTLE OF
MAGERSFONTEIN, 11TH DECEMBER
1899, WHO WERE ORGINALLY
INTERRED HERE AND NOW LIE
BURIED IN THE GARDEN OF
REMEMBRANCE, WEST END
CEMETERY, KIMBERLEY. |
KING |
Walter
Buchannan |
Second
Lieutenant, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. Found dead from
wounds 1 January 1900; died 11 December 1899 at Magersfontein. Aged
21. Born May 1878. See also Stirling
Castle Memorial
News
of the World 7th January 1900 and extract from The Last
Post - Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa 1899-1902
by Mildred G Dooner, published by Naval and Military Press
King.
- 2nd Lieut. Walter Buchanan King, 1st Batt. Argyll and Sutherland
Highlanders, was killed in action at Magersfontein, Dec. 11th, 1899.
He was born in May, 1878, and joined the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders,
May, 1898. This officer was first reported missing, but was afterwards
found to have been killed as stated. He embarked for South Africa
in Oct., 1899, and joining the Kimberley Relief Force was present
at the battle of Modder River. |
CARLEY
or CAILEY |
P |
Private
6841, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. Killed in action 11 December
1899. |
CARLYLE |
A |
Private
6550. Killed in action 11th December 1899 at Frere Camp, Magersfontein.
Commemorated on 1899-1902 Memorial, Kimberley West End Cemetery
and buried there. [Also listed as dying 1st January 1900 in News
of the World 7th January 1900.] See also Stirling
Castle Memorial |
EVANS |
E |
Private
3537, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. Killed in action 11 December
1899. See also Stirling
Castle Memorial |
McWHIRTER |
C |
Private
3863, 1st Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. See also
Stirling
Castle Memorial |
SCOTT |
J |
Private
3844, 1st Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. See also
Stirling
Castle Memorial |
RAY |
George
Lake Sidney |
Major,
1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Killed in action 11 December
1899. Aged 30. Son of Surgeon-Colonel Sidney Ray, of Kent.
extract
from The Last Post - Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa
1899-1902 by Mildred G Dooner, published by Naval and Military
Press
Ray.—Major
George Lake Sidney Ray, 1st Batt. Northumberland Fusiliers, was
killed in action at Magers-fontein, Dec. 11th, 1899, while endeavouring
to save a wounded comrade. He was a son of Surgeon-Col. Sidney Ray,
of Milton-next-Sittingbourne, Kent. He was born May, 1868, and educated
at Wellington, where he was in the Hardinge, 1880-85, and in the
latter year a Prefect. He was an excellent racquet player, and joined
the Northumberland Fusiliers from the Royal Military College in
Sept., 1887, being promoted lieut. Oct., 189o, capt. Dec., 1895,
and brevet-major Nov., 1898. He had been adjutant of his battalion
from 1895. He served in the campaign in the Soudan under Lord (then
Sir Herbert) Kitchener in 1898, and as adjutant to the 1st Batt.
Northumberland Fusiliers, was present at the battle of Khartoum,
being mentioned in despatches and receiving the brevet of major,
the British medal and Khedive's medal with clasp. He also served
in the occupation of Crete in 1898. While in South Africa Major
Ray acted as assistant correspondent to The Times with Lieut.-Gen.
Lord Methuen's column. When he fell he was with some M.I. on the
right flank endeavouring to prevent a threatening movement of the
enemy. This movement, Sir A. Conan Doyle writes, " would have
put the Highlanders in an impossible position had it succeeded,"
and it was in this long and successful struggle to cover the flank
of the 3rd Brigade that Major Milton, Major Ray, and many another
brave man met his end."
|
COODE |
J
H C |
Lieutenant-Colonel,
Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) - see above |
McFARLANE |
W |
Captain,
Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) - see above |
EDMONDS |
N
G |
Lieutenant,
Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) - see above |
S.A.
WAR GRAVES BOARD
1963
SACRED
TO THE MEMORY OF |
COODE |
J
H |
Lieutenant-Colonel,
2nd Battalion, Royal Highlanders (BlackWatch) - see above |
McFARLANE |
W |
Captain
& Adjutant, 2nd Battalion, Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) -
see above |
EDMONDS |
N
G |
Lieutenant,
2nd Battalion, Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) - see above |
KING |
W
B |
Second
Lieutenant, 1st Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders -
see above |
RAY |
G
L S |
Major,
1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers - see above |
AND
35 N.C.O.s AND MEN
WHO FELL IN ACTION IN FRONT
OF THE BOER TRENCHES AT MAAGERSFONTEIN
DECEMBER 11th 1899 |
Last
updated
2 November, 2020
|