The Boer War in South Africa



 

 

The Second Boer War took place between 1899 to 1902 between the South African Republic and the Orange Free State and the United Kingdom.
The immediate cause of the war was for many years, tension between the Dutch farmers and the British after the First Boer War.
It ended in favour of the British Republic and the end of Transvaal as an independent state.
In this war 80,000 lives were lost; mostly women and children who died in concentration camps.

Although we Honour our brave soldiers at the War Memorial, we should not forget another thirteen lost their lives during the Boer War.
Date: 11 October 1899 – 31 May 1902


ROLL OF HONOUR TEXT READS:

The names of the following members of the Parish of Bures are entered on this Roll of Honour as a record of their patriotism in having fought for their Queen and Empire in the South African Campaign of 1899:1900:1901:1902

 

Combatants
(Batt means Battalion)


Lt William Geoffrey Probert
4th Batt Suffolk Regiment

Private Frederick George Cole,
1st Batt Norfolk Regiment

Private Frederick Harrington,
1st Batt Essex Regiment

Private Gooch Hume,
2nd Batt Border Regiment

Driver Albert Hunt
Royal Field Artillery

Private Harry Hunt
1st Batt Liverpool Regiment

Private John Hunt
1st Batt Norfolk Regiment

Trooper Claude Fitzhardingo Jervis,
Wilts Imperial Yoemanry
Later listed as 2nd Lieutenant in the British Army, March 23rd 1901 ( see footnote)

Gazette: The death is announced Claude Fitzhardingo Jervis, son of the Rev. W. R. Jervis, Vicar Bures Mary. Essex,
from injuries to his spine caused by his horse falling upon him during the Boer War.

Trumpeter William Robbins
13th Hussars

Private Frank Willingham
1st Batt Essex Regiment

Trooper Cecil Chevalier Skingley
Wilts Imperial Yeomanry

Sergeant George Tokely
Army Pay Department

The Roll of Honour hangs on the wall, in St Marys Church.
It`s situated on the left Pillar, as you enter the Waldegrave Chapel.

 

Claude Fitzhardingo Jervis,
Initially served in the Imperial Yeomanry, which was a volunteer mounted force of the British Army that mainly saw action during the Second Boer War.
The rank of "Trooper" is defined as a private soldier in a Cavalry or Armoured unit.
The Yeomanry recruited from the middle and upper classes, but subsequent contingents were more significantly working class in their composition.
Later, Claude was transferred to the Regular British Army holding the same rank.


Definition of Boer : Dutch “husbandman,” or “farmer”, a South African of Dutch, German, or Huguenot descent.


Four soldiers from Sudbury
Enlisted in "D" Command, 2nd Volunteer Battalion Suffolk Regiment

One of the notable Battles with a large loss of Suffolk life was the "Battle of Suffolk Hill at Colesberg, Northern Cape 5th-6th January 1900.
The Hill was originally called Red or Grassy Hill. The Suffolk Regiment was ordered to make a night attack on a Boer position on the heights.
Four companies, 354 men of all ranks, set out at midnight under the command of Col. Watson.
The Suffolks were met by a storm of bullets with the Colonel amongst the first to fall.
The party later retired with 11 officers and 150+ men killed, wounded or captured.

Published 27/12/2021
Reference Imperial War Museum
St Marys Church, Bures
Sudbury Heritage Centre
Corrections 15/11/23