TOPIC:

I was looking into Hugo H P De Burgh, CMR who was killed at Wepener on 11 April 1900.

This uncovered the sad tale that his brother, Colonel De Burgh visited the grave and erected a wooden cross made from a window frame. The wooden cross was replaced by a headstone and the original was taken back to Ireland to the De Burgh plot in Maudlings cemetery, Naas, Kildare

A picture of the grave in Naas (from: historicgraves.com/graveyard/maudlins/kd-mdln )



Is that date 1906?

David
Yes, 1906. I had a look in Palmer and SAFF (under CMR) and could not find any entry. Was Hugo H.P.DeBurgh a "missed entry" in the casualty lists?
Best regards
IL.

De Burge is clearly shown in Watt as killed and interred at Jammersberg Drift, although, the date shown is the 10th of April rather than the 11th.

IL,

He is listed in the SAFF roll but as Burke rather than De Burgh.

There is some confusion about the date. I have taken the grave for the date of his demise.

One day's difference in date of death is no big issue - what was happening 10/11 April in the siege? Was that the night attack in which the CMR bore the brunt? Sorry for the simple qs but I don't have access to the talk I created on Wepener.

According to the medal rolls "Burke" was an alias. A troubled man escaping misdemeanours?

7 April - encirclement by the Boer complete
8 April - No activity. Despatch says "The 7th and 8th were spent in erecting schanzen all along the position, but as, in most instances, there was barely a foot of soil, we had to depend, in a great measure, on stone schanzen."
9 April - Boers begin shelling from daybreak and rifle fire. 70 casualties reported. More defences built overnight
10 April - Boer shelling and rifle fire. Boer attacks. CMR bayonet charge
11 April - Shelling during daylight. Sniper reported. Shell burst in the CMR trenches, killing and wounding 18.
12 April - shelling and attack