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Dear all,

Here, for fun, is the silver hip flask of the tallest man to fight on the British side in the Boer War.

According to the attached photo he was 6' 9", though his IY attestation papers state 6' 7" - whichever he was, he was a big target for the Boer marksmen! He was commissioned in 1901.

Best,

Justin

William Hutton Pridmore Gill.

Originally attested as a trooper in 7th Squadron (Leicestershire's first IY company). He was subsequently promoted to Sergeant while with the 7th.

While a Sergeant with the 7th, he successfully led a patrol of 20 men that captured a Boer position and those manning it. This resulted in award of the DCM and a commission, upon which he was transferred from the 7th Squadron to 65th (Leicestershire) Squadron on March 21st, 1901 to replace one of the 65th's officers who had been invalided home sick.

When the first contingent of the 65th returned to England in mid-1901, Gill remained in South Africa as an officer with 65th Squadron's newly arrived second contingent. During his second tour he was subsequently promoted to Captain.

(ref: Gilbert, Sharrad H.: Rhodesia and After – Being the Story of the 17th and 18th Battalions of Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa , ©1901, p. 276).

7th Squadron IY also had a 23069 Private Nathan Gill on their rolls, perhaps a brother or other relative?

Nick

Nick,

Thank you very much indeed for these details. He subsequently died in France serving in the First World War as a Captain in the 4th Army Auxiliary Horse Transport Company, Army Service Corps.

He is buried near Amiens and his memorial in St John the Baptist's Church, Wakerley, Rutland, mentions his service in the Leicestershire Yeomanry during the South African War.

Best wishes,

Justin

Justin,

I've just discovered another photo of Captain Gill in the Navy & Army Illustrated (1902, Vol. XIV), this time a portrait of the officers of the 17th Battalion IY returning from South Africa.


The caption is a bit difficult to read, but no prizes as to which one is Gill!

Nick

Nick,

It must be nice for a change not to look at a group picture from the period and not know which is your man!

Best wishes
David

Nick,

Magnificent photo - many thanks.

Best wishes,

Justin