PLYMOUTH
HMS DORIS SOUTH AFRICAN (BOER WAR) MEMORIAL
Compiled
and Copyright © Martin Edwards 2005
The
memorial is in the form of a gun mounted on a plinth in Devonport Park,
Plymouth and is dedicated to the men who lost their lives from HMS Doris
in the South African war 1899-1902. The memorial was unveiled on February
27th 1904 by Admiral Sir Edward H Seymour GCB OM, Commander in Chief
at Devonport, and Vice Admiral Sir R H Harris, whose flag was flying
on HMS Doris at Simonstown when the brigades were formed. The gun
was handed over to Devonport Corporation on the same day.
 |
|
From
an old postcard |
This
gun captured from the Boers during the South African War 1899-1902
has been erected here by the Officers and Men of HMS Doris in the memory
of
their shipmates who lost their lives in that campaign.
The gun
has recently been restored, below is a Press Release and pictures
relating to the restoration, all Copyright © Plymouth City Council
2006, 2007.
 |
The
Doris gun is removed |
Time:
11.30 and 12.30
Date: 12 March
Place: Devonport Park
Big
day for Doris gun
Devonport
is bringing back the big gun – quite literally.
The
Doris gun is being returned to its home in Devonport after being carefully
restored by specialists.
The
historic Doris Gun, which was unveiled in 1904, commemorates the crew
of HMS Doris, who had died fighting alongside the army at the Battle
of Paardeberg in 1900.
One
of the only three remaining ‘pom-pom’ guns in the world,
the base stone around the monument has been cleaned, the cracked tablet
with names of the crew repaired and the gun’s metal work stabilised
to prevent further decline.
During
the restoration work, shots were found inside the barrel of the gun.
Cabinet
Member for Creative Plymouth and New Deal for Communities Councillor
Chris Mavin said: “These memorials are not just an important
landmarks. They have historical significance for people whose families
have lived here for generations.
“We
want to revitalise the park to make but we are not forgetting the
part people of Devonport have played. It is great to be able to see
this gun come back home.”
 |
The
renovated Doris gun is returned |
The
gun, which is a grade II listed structure, was restored thanks to
a grant £75,000 from the Devonport Regeneration Community Partnership.
The grant will also fund the restoration of the war memorial in the
park.
The
park is undergoing a radical transformation to transform a Victorian
park into a People’s Park. Plymouth City Council has been working
with the Friends of Devonport Park, the DRCP, the Granby Island Community
Centre as well as the Lawn Tennis Association and the Groundwork Trust
to make this happen.
Last
year three tennis courts were renovated and new fencing, entrance
gate and path put in thanks to the Council’s work with the Friends
of Devonport Park and the Groundwork Trust to secure £50,000
funding from the Barclays Spaces for Sports Programme. Devonport Regeneration
Community Partnership, the Granby Island Community Centre and the
Lawn Tennis Association were also involved
Frank
Wilson, Chair of the Friends of Devonport Park, added: “We are
making huge progress in creating a park that will be the pride of
the area. This is another significant bit of work that has been completed
to be enjoyed by everyone."
“This
is a great example of different organisations pulling together to
create something special for the community.”
| PLUMBE |
John
Hulke |
Major,
Royal Marine Light Infantry. Killed in action 25th November 1899
at Graspan. Aged 41. When leading a charge at Graspan Major Plumbe
was shot, his last words 'Forward! never mind me.' His pet dog
sat with his body for 6 hours. Son of Dr. S.A. Plumbe, of Maidenhead.
Commemorated in West End Cemetery, Kimberley South Africa.
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
Plumbe.
- Major John Hulke Plumbe, Royal Marine Light Infantry, was killed
in action at Graspan, Nov. 25th, 1899. The third son of the late
Dr. S. A. Plumbe, of Maidenhead, he was born in 1858, and educated
at the Oxford Military College. He entered the Royal Marines in
1877, was promoted capt. i88o, and major 1885, and is stated to
have been a highly qualified officer, being a specialist in gunnery,
fortification, torpedoes, and other subjects. He served in the
Royal Marine Batt. in Egypt in 1882, and was present at every
action in which it was engaged from the occupation of Alexandria
to the actions of Tel-el-Mahuta, Kassassin, Aug. 28th, Kassassin,
Sept. 9th, and Tel-el-Kebir, where he was slightly wounded in
the hand and hip. He received the medal with clasp and bronze
star. In the battle of Graspan Major Plumbe was in command of
the Royal Marines belonging to the Naval Brigade. In this action
their losses amounted to forty-three per cent., due to the “unflinching
and self-sacrificing heroism of the troops that led the assault.”
Three officers and 72 men of the Royal Marines were killed or
wounded out of a total of 5 officers and 190 men. In the Naval
Brigade Major Plumbe, Commander Etheiston, Captain Senior, and
Midshipman Huddart were killed, and almost all the petty and non-commissioned
officers were struck down. Just before he was killed Major Plumbe
said, “Rush for the hill, men,” and when mortally
wounded his last words were, “Forward! never mind me.”
A pet dog he took into action with him watched by his body for
six hours, until the arrival of the ambulance. Major Plumbe was
at first buried on the battlefield, but on the morning of Nov.
26th his body was moved, and he now lies close to Enslin Station
beside Commander Etheiston and Capt. Senior. Their graves are
marked by a large cross. Major Plumbe’s servant, Private
Doran, died of his wounds. The names of Major Plumbe and his servant
are inscribed on the monument erected in the Cambridge enclosure,
St. James’s Park, by the officers and men of the Royal Marine
Artillery and Light Infantry, in memory of their comrades who
fell in South Africa and China. |
| HUDDART |
Cymberline
Alonso Edric |
Midshipman,
Royal Navy. Killed in action 25th November 1899 at Graspan. Aged
18. Son of James Huddart, of Eastbourne. Buried at Enslin.
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
Huddart.
- Midshipman Cymbeline Alonso Edric Huddart, of H.M.S.
“Doris,” was mortally wounded in action at Graspan,
Nov. 25th, 1899, and died the same night. He was nearly 19 years
of age, and was the son of the late James Huddart, Esq., of Eastbourne.
He entered the “Britannia “in 1895, where he was one
of the two chief captains of cadets, and passed out with such
seniority that he joined the “St. George” on the Cape
Station as midshipman June, 1897. On Admiral Rawson’s arrival
home from the Cape Midshipman Huddart was transferred to the “Doris.”
At the time of his death he was acting as A.D.C. to Capt. Prothero,
commanding the naval brigade with the Kimberley Relief Force.
At the battle of Graspan Midshipman Huddart is stated to have
“behaved magnificently and still advanced aftet he had been
twice wounded, until he was finally struck down mortally wounded.”
He is mentioned in the dispatch of Lieut.-Gen. Lord Methuen, Nov.
26th, 1899. Midshipman Huddart is buried close to the hospital
at Enslin. |
| BOYLE |
John |
Private,
Royal Marine Light Infantry |
| DORAN |
Francis |
Private,
Royal Marine Light Infantry |
| COLEMAN |
Francis |
Able
Seaman |
| WISE |
Matthew |
Able
Seaman |
| EDWARDS |
Albert
C |
Able
Seaman |
| HOOK |
John
E |
Ordinary
Seaman |
| LOCKETT |
William |
Storeman |
| PHILLIPS |
W
J |
2nd
SBS |
| WILLS |
Lewis |
2nd (Dom) |
Ready
- Aye - Ready
Last
updated
14 March, 2007
|
