TOPIC:

I have just taken possession of a sword attributed to Capt. Edward Bury Grogan, 1st Batt. South Staffordshire Regiment. He was KIA along with 2nd Lieut. Brancker in a skirmish at Fricksburg on 25 June 1900.

I have been unable to find any descriptions or reports of the action, so I wondered if anyone on the forum had any knowledge.

I would be very grateful for any information.

Is that Ficksburg (not Fricksburg) in the Eastern Orange Free State?

Forgive my spelling, yes it is Ficksburg in the Eastern Orange Free State.

Hi Gee Emm, you may already have the information, but on this Forum you can get some information relating to the South Staffordshire's under the Unit Information on the left of the main page:

https://www.angloboerwar.com/unit-information/imperial-units/665-south-staffordshire-regiment

the page contains a number of posts to the Regiment that should be of help and there is also the following information available if you search Captain Grogan:


Hope this helps ....

Hi, I have had a quick look through some of the books on the Forum, also a place to start and perhaps the reference via the following link may be of help in your search:

https://www.angloboerwar.com/images/pdf/maurice03-05.pdf

Hello Gee Emm
A little more information for you regarding Ficksburg.

Louis Creswicke’s South Africa and the Transvaal War
Book - Volume 6…... Chapter 3
Orange River Colony, East - June 1900

On the 19th of June, General Rundle, accompanied by his staff Colonel Maxwell and Captain George Farrar of General Brabant’s Division, made a careful examination of Ficksburg and its fortifications and afterwards during a reconnaissance, it was discovered that a hornet’s nest was concealed in a series of sinister kopjes nearby.

Further investigations proved that the Boer lines between Ficksburg and Bethlehem were of great strength and that the Dutchmen numbered some 5000. Besides these bands, other roving commandos flitted about mosquito-wise, seeking to draw British blood.

The dogged determination of the Boers was to break through to the south, and it took all the ingenuity of Generals Rundle and Brabant to create a linked chain from Winburg to the Basutoland border. Skirmishes along this line were frequent. Meanwhile, near Ficksburg, on the 25th General Boyes Brigade also encountered the Boers. Two valuable officers were killed – Captain E. B. Grogan and Lieutenant G.L.D Brancker, 1st South Staffordshire Regiment- and five men were wounded and missing.
regards
Dave