Local Boer War Connections

A Boer Trench Surprised at Magersfontein
Illustrated London News, 27 Jan. 1900

Background

The First Boer War (20 Dec 1880 – 23 Mar 1881) was the result of growing resentment by the Boers against the 1877 British annexation of the Transvaal and was triggered by the collection of taxes.  It only lasted 10 weeks and was relatively small scale and could be regarded as a series of skirmishes.  British PM William Gladstone ordered a truce not wanting a costly, messy and protracted distant war.

The Second Boer War (11 Oct 1899 – 31 May 1902) was fought between the British Empire and the Boer Republics of South Africa and the Orange Free State.  The Boers resented the invasion by foreigners, mainly from the British Cape Colony, following the discovery of gold and mineral deposits.  After some Boer battle successes, the British sent in many more troops, from all over the empire, which resulted in them relieving three besieged cities and invaded the two Boer Republics.  The Boers responded with a series of guerrilla attacks to which the British introduced a scorched earth policy and concentration camps where approximately 46,000 people died mostly through starvation and disease.

Elizabeth Cecilia van Zyl (22 April 1894 – 9 May 1901)
was a South African child inmate of the British
Bloemfontein concentration camp who died from typhoid fever.
Image source: Wikipedia

Local Boer War Connections

The Second Boer war had a major impact on life in Epsom and Ewell. Many local men volunteered for the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, East Surrey Regiment which had a section drawn from the Epsom area.  This battalion took part in the relief of Ladysmith, Tugela Heights, Alleman’s Nek and the famous Spion Kop.

We know the following left Epsom for South Africa:

• George Holdsworth, the builder and decorator of 22 East Street
• William Rose, the tobacconist in the High Street
• James Weaver of Kingston Lane
• W. Skelton of East Street (died in South Africa)
• W.E. Williams
• E.T. Williams.
• Sergeant W. J. G. Dumbrill

However there are several other men mentioned on this website who fought in this war.  Most of the references are very small but are included to show the impact this war had on all sections of the local community:

• Randall, James Andrew
• Brooks, Sidney Francis
• Colborne, The Hon. Francis L.L.
• Harrowell, Edwin
• Keswick, David Johnstone
• Manning, Douglas, Henry Edward V.C.
• Murray, Ellison Blair McMinn
• Murray, Maj F D
• Northey, Sir Edward
• Orr, Col. Alexander Stewart (Good account of his Boer War career)
• Reeves, John
• Russell, Bertrand Joseph DSO
• Stapylton, Miles
• Walters, Henry Martin
• Wilder, Edward

WW1 Casualties :

• Barron WT
• Bates JTG
• Caldwell J
• Collings A
• Dickinson FA
• Forrest CE
• Kennedy W
• Layton RC
• Lee Lewis (see Pullinger, William George)
• Lilley CF
• Livingstone H
• Luxford AE
• Miles, Albert
• Northey, William
• Prosser, John
• Riley, Edward Adams
• Robinson, Thomas
• Ronaldson, Charles Rasleigh
• Slaughter George (see Price, Frank)
• Smith, Charles Jonsing
• Steward, Arthur Amyot
• Wells, Walter Neave

Epsom College:

The Memorial window and plaque in Epsom College Chapel lists a further ten men who died in the Boer War,

The Memorial Window and Plaque in Epsom College
to the men who died fighting the Second Boer War (1899-1902).
Images courtesy of Clive Gilbert.

Please note that the people named on the plaque are being researched by an Epsom College Archives volunteer.  Any enquiries or information should be referred to the college.