TOPIC:

In Ettrick Kirk, Selkirkshire. He's also named on the Hawick and District memorial.





The family pew, the whole of the gallery, is to the left of the tablet.



AN ETTRICK NAPIER KILLED IN SOUTH AFRICA . - The inhabitants of Ettrick and the neighbouring valleys will learn with regret of the death of a grandson of the Dowager Lady Napier and Ettrick, Lieutenant Basil Napier, eldest son of the Hon. Mark Napier. Lieutenant Napier was in the 34th Company of the Imperial Yeomanry, and was severely wounded in an action at Senekal, in the Orange River Colony, on the 27th December, dying the following day. Mr Napier joined the Yeomanry as a trooper, and successively passed through all the ranks till he obtained his commission - which his captain said he thoroughly deserved - four weeks before he laid down his life for Queen and country. Lieutenant Napier accomplished some gallant deeds during his service with the Yeomanry, and was beloved by all in his company. He was only twenty-one years of age, and has left many friends at home who will never forget his bright, loving and courteous nature.
The Southern Reporter, Thursday 10th January 1901


MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE LATE LIEUT . NAPIER . - A memorial service for Lieutenant Basil Napier, 34th Company Imperial Yeomanry, who died, as stated in a recent issue of the Reporter, in the service of his country at Senekal, South Africa, on 27th December, 1900, was held at All Saints' Church, Ennismore Gardens, Kensington, on Saturday at noon. The service began with Hymn 373 (A. & M.) - "God moves in a mysterious way," followed by the 39th Pasalm and lesson and prayer from the Burial Service. It concluded with Hymn 401 (A. & M.) -


After the singing of the hymn the "Dead March in Saul" was played on the organ, the congregation meanwhile standing. The service was attended by a numerous company of relatives and friends, including Lord Addington, Admiral Sir J. D. C. Hay, and Lieut.-Colonel Anderson of Tushielaw.

The Southern Reporter, Thursday 24th January 1901


MEMORIAL TABLET . - There is now being placed in the Parish Church a brass tablet in memory of the late Lieutenant Basil Napier, eldest son of the Hon. Mark Napier, who was killed at an early stage in the recent South African war.

The Southern Reporter, Thursday 25th December 1902


LIEUTENANT NAPIER MEMORIAL . - This has now been erected in the Parish Church, in close proximity to the family pew. It is a plain brass tablet, and below the two corner mottoes, "Sans Tache" and "Ready, Aye Ready," bears the following inscription: - "In loving memory of Basil Napier, Lieutenant 34th Company Imperial Yeomanry, eldest son of Mark and Emily Napier, and grandson of Francis, 9th Lord Napier and 1st Lord Ettrick, K.T., born March 16, 1879, killed at Senekal, South Africa, Dec. 29, 1900. Greater love hath no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends."
Towards the close of divine service on Sunday last, the Rev. George Mackenzie remarked that Lieutenant Napier was one of the brave lads who sprang to their country's aid in the darkest days of the war. He went out as a raw trooper in the Yeomanry in February, 1900. Promotion did not tarry. He became Lance-Corporal, Corporal, and Sergeant in quick succession and finally received the commission which, his captain wrote at the time, he had "thoroughly deserved." In less than a month he was numbered with the gallant fellows who had sought glory and found a grave. He was only twenty-one when he fought his last fight, and, as he fell, added one more honour to an honourable name. Quoting from a letter received from a member of the family, Mr Mackenzie further said that the desire of those who had erected the tablet was simply to "commemorate the self-sacrifice of one who went out voluntarily to serve his Queen, and met a soldier's death, doing his duty."

The Southern Reporter, Thursday 1st January 1903