George Robson completes his researches into OSB’s in the Boer War.
“Of the 36 OSBs who served in the Boer war, eight of those listed went on to serve in the Great War of 1914-1918 and the names of all can be found listed on the internet under ‘ST BEES SCHOOL – THE BOER WAR’. An Old Boy of our school, Guy Falcon, was one of the volunteers that were sent out to South Africa. During the first two years of the war, he saw action in the Western Provinces with first Robert’s Horse then Wellington D.T.M. He was awarded the South Africa Medal with five clasps covering the actions of Paadeburg, Relief of Kimberley, Orange River Colony, Transvaal and Cape Colony. In October 1901 he and a number of others were boxed up by a group of rebels near Wellington. After four hours resistance they ran out of ammunition and were forced to surrender. Walking under a white flag towards the enemy a sudden volley of shots, followed by more volleys, rang out and ‘the effect was horrible.’
	Above - Blyth (Northumberland) Boer War Memorial Left - Guy Falcon's Gravestone
The bodies of the dead were brought to Wellington barracks and were buried at nearby Maitland Cemetery. Guy’s gravestone is particularly fine and a suitably inscribed plaque to all the fallen erected in Wellington Barracks’ Drill Hall.”
Entrance to Drill Hall Johannesburg (From the Heritage Portal)

 

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The St Beghian Society    
St Bees School,    St Bees,    Cumbria,    CA27 0DS.

         Tel: (01946) 828093      Email: osb@stbeesschool.co.uk      Web: www.st-beghian-society.co.uk