Downward, James

Downward, James Regiment: Royal Welsh Fusiliers (3rd Battalion) Rank: Private Service No: 2698 Boer War service: Embarked 18 Jul 1900 and remained until at least 12 Jun 1901 Date of enlistment: 27 Aug 1898 Date of discharge: 11 Oct 1901 Reason for discharge: Disembodied Other information: Injured by friendly fire at Fredericstaad. James served in the...
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Gallantry Awards

During the Second Boer War a large number of gallantry awards were presented including:- VC Victoria Cross - created to recognise and reward outstanding acts of gallantry in the presence of the enemy. The award was open to all ranks and services in the presence of the enemy. Where the act of bravery was performed by a group of men, officers and other ranks has the privilege of selecting one of more of their number to receive the honour.  There were 78 VCs awarded for the Boer War. DSO D...
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Royal Navy

During the Boer War the Royal Navy were not involved in ship-to-ship action but provided naval brigades, consisting of seamen and marines, to fight onshore. They saw action many times and were deployed in troop carrying, intelligence gathering as well as taking part in blockades and siege busting.  The two 4.7” guns from HMS Powerful and HMS Terrible were mounted in improvised carriages and played a key role in the relief of Ladysmith in 1899 during the Second Bo...
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Heatley, Frederick William

Heatley, Frederick William Regiment: King's Shropshire Light Infantry Rank: Private Service No: 7293 Boer War service: Not known Date of enlistment: Not known Date of discharge: Not known Reason for discharge: Not known Other information: Awards Queen's South Africa Medal Cape Colony Orange Free State Born: In 1877 i...
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Ethelston, Alfred Peel

Ethelston, Alfred Peel Regiment: Royal Navy Rank: Commander, HMS Powerful Service No: Boer War service: 11 Oct 1899 until his death on 25 Nov 1899 Date of enlistment: 27 Oct 1877 Date of discharge: 25 Nov 1899 Reason for discharge: Killed in Action Other information: Commander Ethelston is commemorated on memorials in HMS Britannia Naval College, Dartmouth, D...
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Este/East, James Richard

Este/East, James Richard Regiment: King's Shropshire Light Infantry Rank: Private Service No: 7292 Boer War service: Not known Date of enlistment: Not known Date of discharge: Not known Reason for discharge: Not known Other information: Medals & clasps awarded 1 Apr 1901 Awards Queen's South Africa Medal Cape Colony Orange Free...
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Crichton (Viscount), Henry William

Crichton, Henry William Regiment: Royal Horse Guards Rank: Captain Service No: Boer War service: 29 Nov 1899 to 28 Nov 1900 Date of enlistment: 5 May 1894 Date of discharge: 31 Oct 1914 Reason for discharge: Killed in action in WW1 Other information: Distinguished Service Order  [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: "Henry William, Viscount Crichton, Ca...
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Royal Horse Guards

This cavalry regiment has had a number of different names since its formation in 1660. It was renamed The Royal Horse Guards Blue in 1750 and then re-titled The Royal Horse Guards (The Blues) in 1877. During the Boer War the Royal Horse Guards took part in the Relief of Kimberley (1900), the Battle of Paardeberg (1900) and several other engagements. The names of the men who served in the regiment are listed below
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