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1899 - Death of General Penn-Symons at Dundee. Dundee occupied by the Boers. Martial law proclaimed throughout Natal and Zululand.


General Penn Symons


The memorial to Penn Symons near his home in Saltash


Detail from the memorial

On this anniversary of the death of William Penn Symons, I read on a website that his widow remarried within 6 months of his death. This seems a short period of time. I didn't find much information on this or was able to corroborate it. Does anyone know what happened to Lady Penns Symons?

With thanks
David

1899 - From the diary of Trooper A J Crosby, Natal Carbineers

Left camp at 5.30 with 3 days provisions - biscuits and bully beef - towards Elandslaagte, but not seeing enemy in any number returned to camp same night.

Source: Diary of the siege of Mafeking by Edward Ross

Monday, 23 October 1899

Our two seven-pounders which had been placed at the race course stand woke us up this morning trying to get to work on the enemy.

At 6.45 the Boers commenced shelling the town, continuing until about 9.45. Very little damage and no casualties. About four o’clock the enemy crept close in with their guns near to the kaffir village, and sent about 15 shells in all round the town. The armoured train was sent out whereupon the Boers retired.

Three of our townsmen, namely Algie, Hampson, and Grayson were placed under arrest for disobeying orders, in as much as they rode beyond the outposts to watch our guns firing

One of our seven-pounders was slightly damaged this morning, the axle stay being broken. The gun was not put out of action.

The only casualty today was a kaffir wounded in the thigh.