Devon's 2nd Boer War Roll of Honour 1899 to 1902

DEVON'S 2ND BOER WAR ROLL OF HONOUR 1899 - 1902

Information about some of the men who served in the 2nd Boer War (1899 to 1902) can be found in the National Archives. These records were retained because they related to the award of a pension but pensions were only awarded to men who held Long Service and Good Conduct medals - the files of men who died in the 2nd Boer War, for instance, were later destroyed because these men were never eligible for a pension. Of the remaining records, what did or did not survive seems to have been the result of a completely hit-or-miss process, making searching very difficult and often fruitless.

In the following pages are listed the first batch of Devon men who took part in this conflict. Taken from our database, their names have been culled from a wide variety of sources. A huge amount of information appeared in local newspapers which often, and most helpfully, linked the identity of the man with the identity of his parents and the place from which he came. Researching is slow and painstaking work but throughout 2008, our Roll of Honour will be continually updated so that by the end of the year, we hope to have a fairly comprehensive record of men from this county who went out to South Africa and of men from other counties who served in the Devonshire regiments between 1899 and 1902.

In the Great War, women also volunteered for service but in 1899, there were huge obstacles (mostly social) put in the way of even the most determined female volunteers for South Africa. In spite of that, a few did make it to the front where they showed great courage and skill, nursing horribly-wounded men close to the front line. We shall be including their stories as we come across them.

To find out more about the various medals issued to men who fought between 1899 and 1902, visit

www.stephen-stratford.co.uk/boer_war.htm

Records are arranged in surname order:

A - C

D - F

G - I

J - L

M - O

P - R

S - V

W - Z

The Boer War Memorial in Ipplepen churchyard

Ipplepen - the Boer War Memorial

Deep in shadow - one of Devon's very few Memorials to the men who fought in this war. Almost every one of the eligible young men from this tiny village volunteered for the army or the navy when the call came and a number did not return. The size of the memorial reflects the effect of their loss on such a small community.

From the Totnes Times

20 October 1900:

(Also printed in the Exeter Gazette)

POOR REWARD FOR A DEVON SOLDIER

"We have had our attention called to the circumstances of a wounded soldier who appears to have received very scant consideration from the War Office, and whose treatment is not calculated to popularise the Army.

The soldier in question is Private Charles Webber of Barnstaple, No. 4866, a member of the 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment. Private Webber was in the famous charge of Wagon Hill, led by Colonel Parke - the charge which practically saved Ladysmith from being captured. Webber had his knee smashed by an explosive bullet, and as a result of the injury, the limb has been amputated well above the knee. Webber made soldiering the business of his life and, as a consequence, he has no trade and is practically helpless. We are informed that owing to some extraordinary circumstances he has been left without any pay for three weeks - a small matter to officials in Pall Mall but a very considerable hardship for a wounded man without any means.

The cruel part of the business is that although Webber has been incapacitated for life by an injury received on the field of battle, the War Office have intimated to him that he is simply to receive 1s 6d a day for 12 months. Anything more monstrously unjust it is impossible to conceive. A well-conducted man, who has served his time in the Army and is discharged in full bodily health receives a greater pension than this for life.

But here is a man who is permanently incapacitated and the intimation is that for 12 months he will get 1s 6d a day. Of course the Secertary of State for War is not personally cognisant of the circumstances of all the men who, unhappily, have to be dealt with. This miserably inconsiderate act is, no doubt, due to some subordinate in who red tape takes the place of common sense and who, as a consequence, does that which is calculated to bring odium upon the entire administration."