Victoria Crosses of the Anglo-Boer War

Victoria Crosses of the Anglo-Boer War
by Ian Uys

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Victoria Crosses of the Anglo-Boer War (2000)
The Victoria Cross was the highest commonwealth medal for bravery in the face of the enemy.

Their citations provide records of courage which cover the entire war and give an insight into the conditions prevailing at the time.

We read of the two British Lions rugby players who stayed on in South Africa after the 1896 tour to each win a VC, the attempted rescue of the guns at Colenso, where seven VCs were won, the blinded Scottish officer who continued leading his men, the Capetonian who carried his wounded brother away from the enemy's trenches and the first of the 'Double VCs' to be won. We read also of the American Congressional Medal of Honour winner, whose continuous bravery was recognised by a unique award.

These acts of valour show that courage will live on long after the battles arc forgotten.

Introduction
The Victoria Cross is the highest award for valour which can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Since its inception in 1854 it has been bestowed 1,354 times. It can only be awarded for acts in the presence of the enemy, making the chances of surviving a VC act one in ten.
During the First Anglo-Boer War (or Transvaal War of Independence) six VCs were awarded. These and the DCMs won were virtually the only medals awarded for that war as no campaign medal was issued. The reason for the inclusion of these VCs with those of the Second Anglo-Boer War is because the same opponents fought over the same terrain -and similar acts of bravery were performed.
The Boers had no gallantry awards - in fact they had no medals at all until they were promulgated in 1920. The Dekoratie voor Trouwe Dienst (DSO) was for officers only whereas the Anglo-Boere Oorlogmedalje was the campaign medal for the Second Anglo-Boer War. It is unfortunate that the Boers did not similarly honour their heroes; men such as Christiaan de Wet, Danie Theron and the Rev J D Kestell would certainly have qualified for an award such as the VC.
There were 78 VCs awarded for the Anglo-Boer War. An analyses of these appears in the appendices. When For Valour, the History of Southern Africa S Victoria Cross Heroes was published in 1973 there were fewer reference sources, hence some changes which appear in this book.
Each VC recipient's age is noted with his name and his biography is presented together with his citation. The OD&M (Orders, Decorations and Medals) ascribed to each person are prepared to the best of my knowledge and belief. Particulars of the 'Queen's Scarf' recipients are included because of their similarity to some VCs - an award instituted by Queen Victoria, to be awarded to the bravest men of each country, by election, during the war.


Table of Content
Introduction
Monarchs of the Empire
VCs of the First Anglo-Boer War

1881
    Lance/Cpl J Murray
    Trooper J Danaher
    Lieut A R Hill
    Private J Doogan
    Private J Osborne
    L/Cpl J Farmer

VCs of the Second Anglo-Boer War

1899
    Captain C Fitzclarence
    Captain M F M Meiklejohn
    Sgt-Major W Robertson
    Captain C H Mullins
    Captain R Johnston
    Lieut J Norwood
    Captain E B B Towse
    Corporal J D F Shaul
    Lieut HEM Douglas DSO
    Captain H N Schofield
    Captain W N Congreve
    Captain H L Reed
    Lieut F S Roberts
    Major W Babtie CMG
    Corporal G E Nurse
    Private G Ravenhill
    Sergeant H R Martineau
    Trooper H E Ramsden

1900
    Lieut Sir J P Milbanke, Bart
    Lieut R J T Digby-Jones
    Trooper H Albrecht
    Lieut J E I Masterson
    Private R Scott
    Private J Pitts
    Lieut F N Parsons
    Sergeant A Atkinson
    Private A E Curtis
    Lieut E T Inkson
    Sergeant J W Firth
    Captain C Mansel-Jones
    Sergeant H W Engleheart
    Major E J Phipps-Hornby
    Sergeant C Parker
    Gunner I Lodge
    Driver H H Glasock
    Lieut F A Maxwell DSO
    Lieut W H S Nickerson
    Corporal H C Beet
    Corporal J F Mackay
    Corporal F H Kirby DCM
    Private C Ward
    Sergeant A H L Richardson
    Captain W E Gordon
    Captain DR Younger
    Captain N R Howse
    Private W House
    Sergeant B T T Lawrence
    Sergeant H Hampton
    Corporal H J Knight
    Private W Heaton
    Private E Durrant
    Lieut G G E Wylly
    Private J H Bisdee
    Major E D Brown
    Lieut A C Doxat
    Lieut H Z C Cockburn
    Lieut R E W Turner
    Sergeant E J G Holland
    Private C T Kennedy
    Sergeant D D Farmer

1901
    Private J Barry
    Farrier Sgt-Major W J Hardham
    Sergeant W B Traynor
    Corporal J J Clements
    Lieut F B Dugdale
    Lieut F W Bell
    Lieut G H B Coulson DSO
    Sergeant J Rogers
    Lieut W J English
    Private H G Crandon
    Sgt-Major A Young
    Lieut L A E Price-Davies DSO
    Driver F H Bradley
    Private W Bees
    Lieut L C Maygar
    Surgeon-Captain T J Crean
    Shoeing-Smith A E Ind

1902
    Surgeon-Captain A Martin-Leake


The Queen's Scarf
Abbreviations
Appendix 1 Multiple VC awards
Appendix 2 Other VC Recipients
Appendix 3 Analysed by regiment
Appendix 4 In order of gazetting
Appendix 5 Investitures
Appendix 6 Killed in World War I
Appendix 7 Cemeteries in which interred
Bibliography
Other titles by the author
The Author

The Author
Ian is a descendant of Knysna's first settler of 1770. He attended Muir College in Uitenhage and then served in the Air Force Gymnasium. He graduated from the University of Cape Town with a B Comm and also captained its boxing team. He was Selected as South Africa's first Commerce exchange student where he worked and studied in the USA then returned to qualify as a chartered accountant.

He lives with his family in Knysna.

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