TOPIC:

I'm recording grave commemorations in Weaste Cemetery, Salford for the IWM. A Boer War casualty is listed, but I'm not sure of his surname. The grave is headed with the name of David Baker, died 13/7/1881, followed by his wife, Ellen Fletcher. The casualty is Herbert Fletcher (Wounded Potgieter's Drift, Feb. 5th 1900, Died on 6th, buried Spearman's Cemetery).
At first reading, his name is straightforward - but... was Ellen's full name Ellen Fletcher Baker... or was her husband David Baker Fletcher? And so, is the casualty Herbert Fletcher... or Herbert Fletcher Baker....
Hopefully someone has the answer....

This is the best that I can find.......

From Find My Past......

Mike

First name(s) H
Last name Fletcher
Service number 6570
Rank Private
Regiment 1 Battalion The Durham Light Infantry
Year 1899-1902
Biography -
Memorials Cathedral Green north-west of main door. Celtic Cross Durham LI, Durham, County Durham, England
Event detail Wounds - Died on 05/02/1900 at Potgieter's Drift
Event unit 1 Battalion The Durham Light Infantry
Gazetteer [2828: 2841-2934 not named] a drift across the Thukela River in Natal Colony (Klip River/ Estcourt districts; KwaZulu-Natal) 25 km west of Colenso. By mid-November 1899, scouts reported that there was a commando at this drift. Gen Sir R.H. Buller decided on 7 December to use this drift to advance to the relief of Ladysmith*, but changed his mind six days later in favour of an advance through Colenso*. In January 1900, Buller again decided to advance by way of this drift and on 10 January its was occupied by Col Lord Dundonald's mounted brigade. A party of the South African Light Horse swam the river on the following day and brought the ferry to the south bank. The main crossing, however, was to be at Trichardt's Drift* and as a diversion prior to the main attack on Spion Kop (2)*, the ferry at Potgieter's Drift was repaired and used by the 1st The Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) and 2nd The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), a detachment of Maj-Gen the Hon N.G. Lyttleton's force, to cross the river and establish a position on the afternoon of 16 January 1900. These were the first British troops on the north bank of the river during the campaign to relieve Ladysmith. A pontoon bridge was constructed across the river at this point on 22 January. HMG I pp.337-339 (map no.4), II pp.339-343, 346-349, 354 and 377-378 (map no.18); Times II p.426 (map facing p.316), III pp.209-211 and 242 (map facing p.300).
Event source NFF
Country Great Britain
Literary references Photos taken by John Scott1/37
Record set Anglo-Boer War Records 1899-1902
Category Military Service & Conflict
Subcategory Boer Wars
Collections from Great Britain, UK None

Thanks - that seems to settle the question.

Just to confirm Mike's post.
Private H Fletcher's medal roll dated 7th August 1901
1st Battalion DLI 6570
Medal clasp Relief of Ladysmith. Margin notes against his name confirm Died of wounds 5th February 1900 Spearmans Hill.

Vaalkrans 1st Battalion Durham Light Infantry Monument