TOPIC:

1900 - Hansard: Boer prisoners at St Helena - Shooting of Godefroy

Mr Dillon: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in the case of the killing of Godefroy at St. Helena, an investigation before a coroner was demanded by the Boer prisoners, which demand was refused; and, if so, can he state why it was refused; whether at the military inquiry which did take place the friends of Godefroy were represented, and whether his representatives were allowed to cross-examine the military witnesses; whether the committee of Boer prisoners who communicated with the Governor in reference to this incident have sent in any statement; and, if so, whether such statement was considered by the court which conducted the inquiry; and whether he will allow the Member for East Mayo to have access to any correspondence which has passed between the Camp Committee, the Governor, and the President of the Court in reference to the shooting of Godefroy, and to the official record of the proceedings of the court.

The Secretary of State for War (Mr Broderick): I telegraphed last week to the Governor of St. Helena to forward by mail a full report on the circumstances of this occurrence. Until this arrives I shall not be in a position to answer the hon. Member's question.

1901 - First drive in Cape Colony northward from Beaufort West-Graaf Reinet.

1901 - The return home of Lieutenant Houston-Boswall to Blackadder House.


....Lieutenant George Reginald Houstoun Boswall, of the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards, who has been invalided home from South Africa, on Thursday night [18th July] received an enthasiastic welcome to Blackadder, the seat of his father, Sir George Houstoun Boswall, Bart., Convener of the County. Lieutenant Boswall came from Netley Hospital, Southampton, and was accompanied by Sir George and Lady Houstoun Boswall. When the carriage in which they drove from Edrom Station reached Allanton, which was very gaily decorated, the horses were unyoked, and a number of stalwart workmen dragged the carriage in triumph to the ancestral home of the young officer. The band of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers preceded the procession, playing patriotic music. At the steps of the mansion Lieutenant Boswall was presented with an illuminated address of congratulation and welcome from the inhabitants of Allanton and workpeople on the estate. Mr James Ford made the presentation, and Lieutenant Boswall suitably replied. Mr William Purvis, the oldest residenter of Allanton, also delivered an address of welcome, and Sir George Houston Boswall replied.
The Southern Reporter, Thursday 25th July 1901


Blackadder House was requisitioned by the British government during WW1 for the accommodation of troops, and was badly damaged by them. The government refused to pay compensation to the Houston-Boswalls, and the house was demolished around 1925.
The house and estate were a mile south of the small village of Allanton, which is six miles west of Berwick-upon-Tweed.

As Sir George R. Houston-Boswall, he's remembered on the Edrom and Blackadder war memorial, and also on a memorial in Edrom Parish Kirk - this last one mentions his South African war service.