Richard Dyer by John Dyer

PRIVATE RICHARD DYER OF THE DEVONSHIRE REGIMENT

by John Dyer

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Richard Dyer was born in 11 October 1873 at Oaklands in Chudleigh. He was the sixth child of George and Mary Ann Dyer. George was an agricultural labourer and the family resided in Woodway Street in Chudleigh.

In the census of 1891, Richard is shown as a single man, employed as a general labourer and living with his parents in Woodway Street, Chudleigh.

Richard enlisted as Private 4998 Dyer with the Devonshire Regiment in 1898. He joined the 2nd Battalion and in 1899 was sent off to South Africa to fight in the 2nd Boer War.

He was invalided back to England in 1900, probably with enteric fever. He recovered and rejoined his Battalion in South Africa. He was awarded the Queen's South African Medal with three clasps, indicating he fought in the Transvaal, at Tugela Heights and in the relief of Ladysmith.

In the photograph below, he is shown wearing the Queen's Medal together with two of the clasps. He later received the King's South African Medal.

Private Richard Dyer of the 2nd Battalion,

the Devonshire Regiment.

©John Dyer

At the end of the Boer War, the 1st and 2nd Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment were re-organised with several veterans returning home. Richard was transferred into the 1st Battalion and on 3rd January 1902, the Battalion set sail for India.

The Regiment stayed in India until September 1905 when they moved on to Burma. Sadly, Richard died in Rangoon on 14 September 1907 as a result of accidental drowning. He was buried in Rangoon.

I have been unable to ascertain whether he ever married, nor have I been able to trace his medals. An anomaly surrounds his age as recorded by the Army. Whilst his day and month correspond with his birth certificate, there is a four year discrepancy in the year of his birth. The Army records give his age at death as 29 whereas he was actually aged 33.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Birth certificate of Richard Dyer

Death certificate of Richard Dyer

Supporting documentation for his QSA and clasps

Supporting documentation for his KSA

An IN MEMORIUM card.