TOPIC:

Hello Forum,
I am in need of your expert help again!! pertaining to another QSA casualty
I am researching.
Information so far attached:-
Private R Holland (Robert) 3404 1st Battalion Suffolk Regiment.
Missing in action Colesberg 6th January 1900. (SAFF)
Died of disease 18th March 1900 Waterval POW camp (S Watt)?
Clasp entitlement, Cape Colony, Orange Free State & Transvaal.
Medal roll states that Private Holland died on April 1st 1900?
I would imagine that Pte Holland was part of the British debacle pertaining to the heights of Colesberg at Grassy / Red hill during the ill-fated night attack.
Benjamin Robert Holland was born in 1876
Mother was Sarah Ann Abbott & Father was John Holland.
The family resided at Great Blakenham Suffolk
1891 he was a farm labourer aged 15yrs
He joined the militia in October in 1892 aged 16yrs
He joined the 1st Battalion Suffolk Regiment between 24th October 1892
and the 9th February 1893 (Service Number 3404) He used his middle name Robert
when he enlisted.
On 11th November 1899 23-year-old Robert Holland departs with the 1st battalion Suffolk regiment from Southampton on SS Scot bound for the Cape South Africa. Approximately 1,100 men and officers on board.
29th November 1899 Private Holland arrives at the Cape, sent by railway to assist General French at the Colesberg district.
On the 6th of January the Suffolk regiment took part in the disastrous night attack of Grassy Hill, sometimes called Red Hill. The Boer forces were well dug in and a murderous rifle fire decimated the battalion. During the confusion some soldiers went missing in action on the hill. Robert was captured and transferred to Waterval POW camp. He later died at the camp due to disease. Records state his death was the 18th March 1900. However, his medal roll and his grave stone in Suffolk claim he died on April 1st 1900. It is believed he was buried in Pretoria and his grave stone at St Mary’s church at Great Blakenham is in his memory along with his parents.
I would be grateful if the forum could clarify the date of his death. 1st of April is on his gravestone at Suffolk church yard, Medal Roll has the same date. Are there any details regarding where his grave is located in South Africa? And why the 18th March is mentioned by S Watt ref: - Disease Waterval?
As ever your knowledge and expertise will be most welcomed.
Cheers
Dave

I would go with the 18th of March at Waterval, he was subsequently buried at Pretronella Pretoria after exhumation from Waterval

Dave F wrote: Hello Forum,
I am in need of your expert help again!! pertaining to another QSA casualty
I am researching.
Information so far attached:-
Private R Holland (Robert) 3404 1st Battalion Suffolk Regiment.
Missing in action Colesberg 6th January 1900. (SAFF)
Died of disease 18th March 1900 Waterval POW camp (S Watt)?
Clasp entitlement, Cape Colony, Orange Free State & Transvaal.
Medal roll states that Private Holland died on April 1st 1900?
I would imagine that Pte Holland was part of the British debacle pertaining to the heights of Colesberg at Grassy / Red hill during the ill-fated night attack.
Benjamin Robert Holland was born in 1876
Mother was Sarah Ann Abbott & Father was John Holland.
The family resided at Great Blakenham Suffolk
1891 he was a farm labourer aged 15yrs
He joined the militia in October in 1892 aged 16yrs
He joined the 1st Battalion Suffolk Regiment between 24th October 1892
and the 9th February 1893 (Service Number 3404) He used his middle name Robert
when he enlisted.
On 11th November 1899 23-year-old Robert Holland departs with the 1st battalion Suffolk regiment from Southampton on SS Scot bound for the Cape South Africa. Approximately 1,100 men and officers on board.
29th November 1899 Private Holland arrives at the Cape, sent by railway to assist General French at the Colesberg district.
On the 6th of January the Suffolk regiment took part in the disastrous night attack of Grassy Hill, sometimes called Red Hill. The Boer forces were well dug in and a murderous rifle fire decimated the battalion. During the confusion some soldiers went missing in action on the hill. Robert was captured and transferred to Waterval POW camp. He later died at the camp due to disease. Records state his death was the 18th March 1900. However, his medal roll and his grave stone in Suffolk claim he died on April 1st 1900. It is believed he was buried in Pretoria and his grave stone at St Mary’s church at Great Blakenham is in his memory along with his parents.
I would be grateful if the forum could clarify the date of his death. 1st of April is on his gravestone at Suffolk church yard, Medal Roll has the same date. Are there any details regarding where his grave is located in South Africa? And why the 18th March is mentioned by S Watt ref: - Disease Waterval?
As ever your knowledge and expertise will be most welcomed.
Cheers
Dave

Dave,

Apart from Steve Watt's In Memoriam which other record states his death as 18-03?

I can't find any other source. The Army & Navy Gazette for April 7, report his death as April 1.

It is unfortunate Steve Watt does not cite his source, I wonder if it is a grave marker or from the cemetery records at Petronella.

Regards
Meurig

Hi
The "Transvaal Burial Register" confirms 1 April 1900, Pretoria
Henk

I would have thought Watt would have consulted the various burial registers in the Transvaal, but, given Henk's post, I assume he did not in this particular case, so I am inclined to think the date is an error.

SWB wrote: Dave,

Apart from Steve Watt's In Memoriam which other record states his death as 18-03?

I can't find any other source. The Army & Navy Gazette for April 7, report his death as April 1.

It is unfortunate Steve Watt does not cite his source, I wonder if it is a grave marker or from the cemetery records at Petronella.

Regards
Meurig

Just a quick thank you to Frank, Meurig & Henk for the information.
very much appreciated. Below is the grave stone in memorial in Suffolk to Pte Holland. It looks like his brother was also killed in South Africa.
Final part of the jigsaw would be an image of his South African resting place. If anyone on the forum could help with that or point me in the right direction I would be grateful.
Dave F