TOPIC:

In Ettrick kirkyard, Selkirkshire (now part of the county of Borders).






OFF TO THE FRONT . - Mr Thomas Grieve, famer, Fairnalee, has joined the ranks of the Lanarkshire Yeomanry, with a view to service in the South African war, and having successfully passed all the necessary tests he left last week for Aldershot. Thence he will proceed with a large contingent of the company to Cape Town. The heartiest wishes of his many friends in the district go with him.
The Southern Reporter, Thursday 7th February 1901


DEATH OF A SELKIRKSHIRE YEOMAN . - Many will learn with regret of the death of Sergeant Thomas Grieve, of the 17th Company Imperial Yeomanry, which took place at Bloemfontein, South Africa, on Tuesday the 7th inst. Sergeant Grieve, who was the fourth son of Mr James Grieve, farmer, West Buccleuch, and a brother of Mr James Grieve, Fairnalee, left for South Africa with the Lanarkshire contingent of the Imperial Yeomanry, at the beginning of last year. Since then he had gone through the hardships of a trying campaign with General French's column, and being specially apt at his duties, and keen on his work, he quickly gained his various grades of promotion until he had attained the rank of Serg.-Major. His death has occasioned great grief to his comrades, by whom he was greatly loved. The immediate cause of death was his resuming his duties before he was in a fit state to do so; but so eager was he to be again in harness, that he overbore all expostulation, with the result that his life was forfeited. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved relatives.
The Southern Reporter, Thursday 16th January 1902

westbuccleuch.com/

A brief glance at Watt suggests that he died of disease and his name appears on the main monument at Waverley Road, Bloemfontein, I think, in the care of the CWGC.

The portrait is that of Sergeant Thomas Grieve, whose death from enteric fever at Bloemfontein is reported. Sergeant Grieve, who was the fourth son of Mr James Grieve, farmer, West Buccleuch, Ettrick, joined the Lanarkshire contingent of the Imperial Yeomanry at the beginning of last year, and saw much active service with General French's column. Being a fine active young fellow, he gained quick promotion, having joined as a trooper and risen to the rank of sergeant within a year.

Edinburgh Evening News, Saturday 8th February 1902

Very nice Berenice.

Would you add his image to British Army Ancestors, britisharmyancestors.co.uk