TOPIC:

Here's #45 in Mike's list 'Killed in a Bar Brawl ..... 2' -

www.angloboerwar.com/forum/13-miscellany...d-in-a-cape-town-bar

Dave,
A feasible theory. And better to go out on a "high" than suffer the ravages of disease maybe.
Cheers Steve

1110 TROOPER GEORGE GAINES: STEINAECKERS HORSE
KILLED BY A CROCODILE

As far as I am aware, only one man was killed by a crocodile during the Anglo Boer War. His name was Trooper George Gaines who was born in Pietermaritzburg, Natal on 4th April 1880. His parents were Richard and Sarah Gaines and he had an illegitimate brother by the name of Joseph Richard Gaines.

George attested to Steinaeckers Horse at Pietermaritzburg on 10th November 1900 receiving service number 1110. He was a 20 year old railway cleaner with no previous military experience.
He was 5' 8" in height, grey eyes, fair haired and had no distinguishing marks.
His next of kin is given as Mrs. Band who was residing at the railway station, Free State Line, Brackwell. Band was his mother's surname taken from her second marriage. George's father had died previously. George gave his own address as loco depot, Durban.
Much of Steinaeckers Horse's activities were in the wild country of Swaziland, where the dangers of getting killed or eaten by predatory animals would have been a very real possibility if you were careless, negligent in making campsites secure or just plain unlucky!
Trooper Gaines met with his fate on 30th November 1901 when he was killed by a crocodile in the Usutu River at Usutu Poort in Swaziland.
Two of his comrades showed incredible bravery in attempting to rescue him from the jaws of the fearsome reptile. Troopers 1288 Frank Hennessy and 1230 Douglas Egbert Wilson could not save him, but at least recovered his body.
For their selfless act they were recognised in Lord Kitchener's despatch of 8th March 1902. The citation read as follows:
"Tprs D. E. Wilson and F. Hennessy , for most plucky rescue of the body of a comrade which had been carried off by a crocodile whilst bathing in the Usutu River. 30th November 1901."

From 'The Probate Records From the Master of the Supreme Court' the estate of George Gaines was valued at 63 pounds 6 shillings and 11 pence. As George was unmarried his mother and brother were legally able to deal with his affairs, as George had left no will.
His occupation was detailed on the document as Trooper Steinaeckers Horse.
But the biggest surprise comes where the cause of death is stated as 'drowning'. No mention of the crocodile attack!
Perhaps this may have been a kindnes to the bereaved?

When we look at the entry for George Gaines in Watt (2000) we find that there are no details for where his remains were interred. Presumably he was buried near to where he died by the Usutu River.

George qualified for the Queens South Africa medal with the clasp Transvaal and South Africa 1901.

Trooper Gaines attestation information taken from William (Bill) Woolmore's excellent book "Steinaeckers Horsemen: South Africa 1899-1902". I highly recommend this book if you can find a copy.

Whilst searching through the casualty records for men killed by wild or domestic animals during the Anglo Boer War, I have been surprised not to find anybody that died of being bitten by a venomous snake. Without antivenom serums that we have today, surely a bite from an adder or boomslang could have proved fatal.
I have read many diaries written by officers and other ranks where snakes have been encountered inside tents etc.
Does anybody have any anecdotes of soldiers encounters with snakes on the veldt.

BereniceUK wrote: Here's #45 in Mike's list 'Killed in a Bar Brawl ..... 2' -

www.angloboerwar.com/forum/13-miscellany...d-in-a-cape-town-bar

Could it also possibly be included in #21. Murdered (by comrade) .....

Mike

Also I do not remember any mention of Snakes as I would have added that one for sure......

Mike

Driver George Edward Manning 11510 Royal Army Service Corps.
Death by Ruptured Kidney.

Watt and SAFF record this casualty as being J E Manning, who died of his injuries on the 5th of November 1901 at Kroonstad.

Having done a little research I believe it is George Edward Manning.
Born 1880 to William and Jane Manning. George was born in Aldershot Hampshire. The 1881 census has George living with his family at the A S C South Camp Farnham. His father William was serving as a Staff Sergeant. George followed his father and joined the Army Service Corps in 1893, as a12 year old school boy.

During his time in South Africa he served in the 9th 10th and 12th companies of the A S Corps. His medal roll suggests he had a Cape Colony and 1901 date clasp.

On his death his personal effects were returned to his family his next of kin being his father William and a sister named Florence.

I couldn't find an exact transcript of how his injury occurred, whether it happened in combat or accidental. However, I have enclosed a couple of  medical notes relating to George's injury.


The kidneys are well protected by the ribs, abdominal muscles, back muscles, and supporting fascia. However, the lower poles of the kidneys are inferior to the 12th  ribs and are therefore more susceptible to trauma.
Blunt force trauma to the back or abdomen is a common cause of severe kidney bruising and rupture  This type of trauma can happen during an accident or a bad fall.  Direct hit or kick in the lower back can also cause kidney trauma.
Kidneys are the third most common solid organ injury in blunt abdominal trauma.   Kidney rupture is similar to splenic rupture in that it is usually caused by a direct blow to the abdomen, side, or mid-to-low back which causes damage or a tear to the organ. If not treated correctly
a ruptured kidney is considered a serious injury. Left untreated, it can lead to serious health complications and death. Which was certainly the case for driver 11510  George Edward Manning, ASC.