TOPIC:

Has anyone come across a soldier in the casualty lists who was killed or injured by a snake bite? I've seen crocodiles etc. but not snake. I've found a reference in a memoir to a Highland soldier being bitten by a snake and subsequently dying.

I can't immediately see one in the rolls so I'm beginning to think that this is made up.

Best wishes,

Justin

Justin

Snakes are common in South Africa and they must have been more abundant at the time of the Boer War, so British soldiers must often have come across them. Fortunately, most snakes are harmless to humans and are not aggressive. However, it seems most unlikely that no soldiers were bitten, so one or more fatalities are possible, or even probable. Puff adders are the most likely culprits to inflict serious injury because of their lazy habits.

In the small sample of people represented by this forum, some will have had close calls with snakes (e.g. me), and some have actually been bitten (e.g. Adrian [capepolice]). The whole British army in SA cannot have escaped unscathed.

Regards
Brett

Hello Justin

"Snake bite" is not recorded in the official casualty rolls.

Regards
Meurig

Meurig,

Many thanks. Does 'poison' or 'poisoning' occur?

Best,

Justin

SWB wrote: Hello Justin

"Snake bite" is not recorded in the official casualty rolls.

Regards
Meurig

Hi

Here are 2 articles about snakes in the Boer War, and other hazards !

Regards

Adrian

The Gloucester Citizen 4 Oct 1902






The Evening News June 20 1901

British soldiers in the Boer War may well have been protected from many snake bites by wearing boots and puttees. Also, unlike Adrian they did no gardening, and, unlike me, they did not walk around the countryside with bare feet.

Brett