BT. LIEUT. COL

Extract from 'The Last Post - Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa 1899-1902' by Mildred G Dooner.

Maxwell. - Lieut.-Col. Cedric Maxwell, Royal Engineers, died at Rouxville May 20th, 1901, from concussion of the brain, received through a fall from his horse. He was a son of Lieut.-Col. C. F. Maxwell, formerly of the 82nd Regt., was born July, 1854, and educated at Henley Grammar School, from which he passed into the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. He entered the Royal Engineers, April, 1873, being promoted capt. Jan., 1885, major April, 1893, and brevet lieut.-col. Nov., 1900. He served in the Afghan War of 1878-80, and was present in the operations around Kabul, being mentioned in despatches and receiving the medal. He also saw service with the Zhob Valley Expedition of 1884. He arranged the defence of Wepener, and his services are mentioned in the despatch of Lieut.-Col. Dalgety, commanding the Cape Mounted Rifles, April 29th, 1900. Lieut.-Col. Maxwell is stated as having “selected a position and assisted in every way,” L. G., Feb. 8th, 1901.

MAJOR

Extract from 'The Last Post - Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa 1899-1902' by Mildred G Dooner.

Wrottesley. - Major Alfred Edward Wrottesley, Royal Engineers, was drowned on passage to South Africa Oct. 26th, 1899. He was born in Dec., 1855, and entered the Royal Engineers in Aug., 1874, being promoted capt. Aug., 1885, and major in May, 1894. He had been an associate member of the Royal Engineer committee from June, 1898.

MAJOR

Extract from 'The Last Post - Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa 1899-1902' by Mildred G Dooner.

Massy. - Major Hampden Hugh Massy, Royal Engineers, was killed in action in the operations on the Upper Tugela Jan. 24th, 1900. He was born in Feb., 1858, and entered the Royal Engineers, Oct. 1877, being promoted capt. April, i888, and major Aug., 1896. Major Massy was killed in the firing line, while personally superintending the making of entrenchments; and was twice mentioned in despatches, L.G., Feb. 8th, 1901, for his gallant conduct.

CAPTAIN

Extract from 'The Last Post - Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa 1899-1902' by Mildred G Dooner.

Young. - Capt. Edward Gordon Young, Royal Engineers, died of enteric at Kimberley, June 5th, 1900. He was the son of H. L. Young, Esq., was born in Feb., 1868, and educated at Haileybury. He entered the Royal Engineers in July, 1886, was promoted Capt. in Feb., 1897, and went to South Africa in Jan., 1900. He married Isabella Maude, second daughter of C. P. Allix, Esq.

LIEUT. See also Guernsey.

Extract from 'The Last Post - Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa 1899-1902' by Mildred G Dooner.

Elkington.- Lieut. George Edward Elkington, 1st Division Telegraph Batt. Royal Engineers, died of enteric in South Africa, Jan. 12th, 1901. He was the fourth son of the late Lieut.-Gen. Elkington, C.B., and Mrs. Elkington, of Sonning, Berks. Lieut. Elkington was born in January, 1871, and educated at Elizabeth College, Guernsey. He entered the Royal Engineers Feburary, 1890, and was promoted lieut. February, 1893. He served with the Dongola Expeditionary Force, under Lord (then Sir Herbert) Kitchener, in 1896, including the engagement at Firket, and the operations at Hafir, being mentioned in despatches, L.G., Nov. 3rd, 1896, and was awarded the Fourth Class of the Order of the Medjidie, the medal, and the Egyptian medal with clasp. He embarked for South Africa in June, 1900, and served there up to the time of his death.

LIEUT.

Extract from 'The Last Post - Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa 1899-1902' by Mildred G Dooner.

Jelf. - Lieut. Richard John Jelf, Royal Engineers, died June 2nd, 1900, on board the troopship “Dilwara” whilst on his way home invalided from Natal. He was the eldest son of Major-Gen. R. H. Jelf, C.M.G., Governor and Commandant of the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, and was born in 1872. Educated at Cheam and Eton (Mr. Luxmoore’s), he obtained his commission in the Royal Engineers, Feb., 1892. Lieut. J elf was a good horseman, and when stationed at Gibraltar was well known with the Calpe Hounds. He was selected for service in the Telegraph Batt. when on leave from Gibraltar, and sailed for South Africa Oct. 21st, 1899. After serving at De Aar and up to the Modder River, he was transferred with his section of the Telegraph Batt. to Gen. Sir Redvers Buller’s command in Natal, and virtually acted as Director of Telegraphs to that officer throughout all his operations up to the Relief of Ladysmith. Having no proper staff to assist him, Lieut. Jelf had frequently to act as a telegraph operator at the instrument. His health subsequently broke down, and he was invalided home. He was mentioned in despatches, L.G., Feb. 8th, 1901, as indefatigable, and having had to work constantly day and night; “no difficulty was too great for him.” Gen. Sir Redvers Buller in his despatch Nov. 9th, 1900, wrote, “I cannot omit a reference to the late Lieut. R. J. Jelf, Royal Engineers. A young officer of singular talent and promise, he lost his life from devotion to his duties.” In Sept., 1899, shortly before he left for South Africa, Lieut. Jelf married Violet, daughter of Gen. Sir Richard Harrison, Inspector-General of Fortifications.

LIEUT.

Extract from 'The Last Post - Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa 1899-1902' by Mildred G Dooner.

Anderson. - Lieut. Rainy Anderson, 26th Co. Royal Engineers, was mortally wounded in action at Zeekogat, Transvaal, July 10th, 1901, and died on the following day. He was the only son of the late Staff-Surgeon James Rainy Anderson, R.N., and Mrs. Anderson (now Mrs. Darling Barker), and was born in Sept., 1873. He was educated at Neuenheim College and at Dr. Northcott’s, Ealing, and entered the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, soon after his sixteenth birthday; gaining his commission in the Royal Engineers in Feb., 1892, and was promoted lieut. Nov., 1895. He was fond of all sports and a good linguist. After serving at Chatham, Portsmouth, Ceylon, and Plymouth, he embarked for South Africa on Oct. 27th, 1899, and saw much service during the campaign. He served in the forces commanded by Lieut.-Gens. SirJ. D. P. French and Sir C. Tucker, and was in the advance on Bloemfontein and Pretoria. At the latter place he had for some time charge of the electric lighting. He was afterwards with Gen. Beatson’s column, to which, shortly before his death, he was appointed Intelligence Officer. Lieut. Anderson was present at the capture of Jack Hindon’s camp, ten miles north of Middelburg, and had his horse shot under him July 9th, 1901, the day before he received his death wound. On this occasion he is stated to have behaved with great gallantry, and owing to his dash a large capture of arms, ammunition, etc., was made. He rendered good service, “none more gallant than he,” and was mentioned in despatches; Gen. Beatson stating he “deeply regretted his loss.” Lieut. Anderson is buried in Middelburg Cemetery. A memorial tablet has been erected to his memory in the crypt of St. Paul’s Cathedral.

LIEUT.

Extract from 'The Last Post - Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa 1899-1902' by Mildred G Dooner.

Bell. - Lieut. Reginald William Bell, Royal Engineers, died of enteric Feb. 11th, 1900, at De Aar. He was the eldest son of Rev. W. Bell, vicar of Cranbrook, late Headmaster of Dover College. Lieut. Bell was born in April, 1874, and educated at Dover College, where he was captain of the Football XV. At the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, he played for the Academy, and also for the R.E. at Chatham. He was a keen sportsman and a good horseman. He entered the Royal Engineers, July, 1893, being promoted lieut. 1896. He was stationed at Gibraltar in 1899, and went from there to South Africa in Nov., and served in Cape Colony.

See also Dover Borough Boer War memorial

LIEUT.

Extract from 'The Last Post - Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa 1899-1902' by Mildred G Dooner.

Meyricke. - Lieut. Robert Evelyn Meyricke, Royal Engineers, died of enteric at the Base Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, on March 8th, 1900. He was born in July, 1874, educated at Cheltenham and entered the Royal Engineers from the Royal Military Academy, Nov., 1894, being promoted lieut. Nov., 1897. Lieut. Meyricke was stationed in South Africa before the commencement of the war, and served in Natal up to the date of his death. His name is inscribed on the Eleanor Cross War Memorial erected at Cheltenham College.

See also Gloucestershire Cheltenham Boer War Memorial

LIEUT.

Extract from 'The Last Post - Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa 1899-1902' by Mildred G Dooner.

Neill. - Lieut. Colin Eric Smith Neill, Royal Engineers, died of enteric at Pretoria, Feb. 17th, 1901. He was born in Aug., 1876, educated at Charterhouse, and entered the Royal Engineers Dec., 1895, being promoted lieut. Dec., 1898. He was present at the battle of Colenso and was in the actions at Spion Kop and Vaal Kranz, and in the engagements on the Tugela before the relief of Ladysmith. Lieut. Neill took part in the subsequent advance into the Transvaal under Gen. Sir Redvers Buller, and in the operations under Lieut.-Gen. Sir F. Clery, near Standerton. Lieut. Neill is buried at Pretoria beside Lieut. Hughes, Royal Irish Fusiliers. His name is inscribed on the tablet in the War Memorial Cloister at Charterhouse.

LIEUT.

Extract from 'The Last Post - Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa 1899-1902' by Mildred G Dooner.

Barrow.—Lieut. Stephen Douglas Barrow, Royal Engineers, died of enteric at Modder River, March 9th, 1900. He was the son of F. H. Barrow, Esq., late Bengal Civil Service. Lieut. Barrow was born in July, 1876, educated at Clifton, and entered the Royal Engineers from the Royal Military Academy in March, 1896, being promoted lieut. in March, 1899. He embarked for South Africa, in Oct., 1899.

LIEUT. Referred to as DIGBY JONES, was awarded a VC

Extract from 'The Last Post - Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa 1899-1902' by Mildred G Dooner.

Jones. - Lieut. Robert James Thomas Digby Jones, Royal Engineers, was killed in action at the engagement at Wagon Hill, Ladysmith, Jan. 6th, 1900. He was born Sept., 1876, educated at Seabank School and Sedbergh, Yorkshire, where he was in the school football team, and won the chief mathematical prize. He entered the Royal Engineers, August, 1896, being promoted lieut. August, 1899; was a good all round athlete, and at one time secretary of the Royal Engineers Football Club, being one of its foremost players. Lieut Jones accompanied the 23rd Field Co. Royal Engineers to Natal, June, 1899, and served there from the commencement of the war. He first distinguished himself Dec. ioth, during a sortie from Ladysmith when a Boer 47 inch gun on Surprise Hill was destroyed. The first fuze inserted missed fire but Lieut. Jones went back, inserted another fuze and by the explosion the Howitzer was split into fragments. This, gun had been causing much annoyance to the garrison. For this act he was mentioned in despatches. At Wagon Hill his bravery was most conspicuous; on the night of the 5th he was sent there in charge of a working party of Royal Engineers to build an emplacement, and out of this, the Boers who had crept up bare footed, had succeeded in driving them. Our men led by Lieut. Jones, however, retook the position almost immediately. One report states that he shot three Boers, clubbed a fourth and kept them at bay till help arrived. Later on a determined attack was again made by the Boers, when Lieut. Jones shot Commandant Von Wyk, second in command to De Villiers, but was himself killed immediately afterwards. Sir A. Conan Doyle thus mentions this incident, differing slightly from the above: “In a gun emplacement a strange encounter took place at point blank range between a group of Boers and Britons. De Villiers of the Free State shot Miller-Walnut dead, Ian Hamilton fired at De Villiers with his revolver but missed him. Young Albrecht of the Light Horse shot De Villiers. A Boer named De Jaeger shot Albrecht. Digby Jones of the Sappers shot De Jaeger. Only a few minutes later the gallant lad, who had already won fame enough for a veteran, was himself mortally wounded, and Dennis his comrade in arms and in glory fell by his side.” Another report states that by his splendid example Lieut. Jones saved Ladysmith. In most books on the war this officer’s bravery and intrepid conduct is referred to. He was twice mentioned in despatches, L.G., Feb. 8th, 1901, and again April 19th, 1901, where it is stated by Lieut.-Gen. Sir G. White that he would have recommended Lieut. Jones for the V.C. had he survived, and mentions with regret that he was killed. It was, however, announced in the L.G., August 8th, 1902, that His Majesty The King was pleased to approve of this decoration being sent to the representatives of Lieut. Jones, for his conspicuous bravery “in leading the force which re-occupied the top of the hill at a critical moment, just as the three foremost attacking Boers reached it, the leader being shot by Lieut. Jones.” At the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, in the west octagon of the library, are the names of about 120 distinguished Royal Engineer Officers; the last name added to the list is that of Lieut. R. J. T. Digby Jones.

See also Wikipedia for details under Digby-Jones

LIEUT.

Extract from 'The Last Post - Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa 1899-1902' by Mildred G Dooner.

Cotton. - Lieut. Francis Gerald Stapleton Cotton, Royal Engineers, was killed by an explosion at Pienaars River Camp Oct. 6th, 1900. He was the only son of F. M. Cotton, Esq., M.I.C.E., of Holyhead, North Wales, was born May 16th, 1878, and educated at Repton, whence he passed into the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, 2nd on the list. Lieut. Cotton entered the Royal Engineers Sept., 1897, and after serving at Chatham and Gosport, embarked for South Africa in Feb., 1900. He was promoted lieut. a few days before being killed. He served in the Harrismith and Bethlehem districts, and was awarded the medal with three clasps.

2ND. LIEUT. Spelt Dennis elswhere.

Extract from 'The Last Post - Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa 1899-1902' by Mildred G Dooner.

Dennis. - 2nd Lieut. George Barlow Bartley Dennis, 23rd Field Company Royal Engineers, was killed in action at Wagon Hill, Ladysmith, Jan. 6th, 1900. He was the eldest son of E. R. Bartley Dennis, Esq., of Harrow, Barrister, Middle Temple. 2nd Lieut. Dennis was born Nov., 1878, and educated at Harrow, which he entered as a mathematical scholar. He joined the Royal Engineers, March, 1898, and in Sept., 1899, was sent to the 23rd Field Company at Ladysmith, and served with it during the siege until his death. In the early morning of Jan. 6th he was with the detachment of Royal Engineers on Wagon Hill, under Lieut. Digby Jones, and when the latter officer was seen to fall, it was thought that he was only wounded. 2nd Lieut. Dennis, then helping to carry a stretcher, went forward from rock to rock to assist Lieut. Jones, and was stooping over him when he fell - shot through the brain—” across the body of his friend and comrade.” He was mentioned in despatches, L.G., Feb. 8th, 1901. (See Lieut. Jones.)

2ND. LIEUT.

Extract from 'The Last Post - Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa 1899-1902' by Mildred G Dooner.

Chenevix-Trench. - 2nd Lieut. Christopher Chenevix-Trench, 7th Company Royal Engineers, died of enteric, at Heilbron, on April 13th, 1902. He was the son of Col. and Mrs. Chenevix-Trench, of Broomfield, Camberley, and was born in April, 1881. He was educated at Marlborough, where he gained the Modern School Exhibition, tenable for two years at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, which he entered direct from Marlborough. At the Royal Military Academy he was senior under officer, and won the Victoria and Pollock medals, and the sword of honour. 2nd Lieut. ChenevixTrench entered the Royal Engineers Jan., 1900, and went to South Africa in Feb., 1901, where he was employed in the construction of block-houses. On one occasion, near Boshof, in order to get reinforcements, he made a daring ride to give the required information with the most successful results. He was with a column returning to Boshof from Windsorton Road, which had halted at Tweefontein, and he asked permission to accompany a small party which were being sent out to drive off some Boers. This party went about five miles and was nearly surrounded at Hartbeestpan Farm by the enemy, who were found in considerable force. The officer in command then called for someone to return to Tweefontein to get assistance. 2nd Lieut. Chenevix-Trench volunteered for the duty. To get back involved passing through a gap in a wire fence and through a wood now partly occupied by the enemy. He reached the gap safely, the Boers close behind and firing at him. He then galloped through the wood, many Boers trying to cut him off and still firing at him, some within 20 paces distance. He, however, reached the camp safely, reinforcements were sent, and the party extricated. 2nd Lieut. Trench died on the eve of his twenty-first birthday. His name is inscribed on a tablet which has been placed in Marlborough College Chapel in memory of all Mariburians who fell in the war.