TOPIC:

KING’S OWN ROYAL LANCASTER REGT. MOUNTED INFANTRY.
Lieutenant William Woodgate - killed in action.
A few details of quite a scarce medal in my collection to Lieutenant William Woodgate K.O. Royal Lancaster Regt. Mounted Infantry and the rather unusual circumstances of his death.

He died December 12th, 1900, of wounds received in action the previous day at Vryheid. He was the eldest son of Ernest Woodgate, solicitor, of Rochester, was born in November 1877, and educated at Bradfield College. He entered the Royal Lancaster Regiment from the Royal Military College in September 1897, and was promoted Lieutenant June 1899. He was fond of all games and a good Polo player.

At Vryheid Lieutenant Woodgate was in charge of a picquet which was suddenly attacked at 2.15 on a cold dark morning. A Boer called on him to surrender, but this he refused to do, although unarmed at the time. Lieutenant Woodgate then seized a hammer and rushed at the Boer, who fired twice at him at close quarters, and Lieutenant Woodgate fell mortally wounded. He was buried in the cemetery at Vryheid.

Source: Donner

With thanks to Elmarie for these images.

Hi Elmarie
Great photograph of Woodgate's grave, much better than the one I have on file. Can't quite make out the lower inscription though - any idea?

Regards

Drakewood.

"Erected By His Brother Officers" quite normal for these marble memorials

Memorial

www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/16158