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Thank you Frank

Paul

Paul,

The Klip Drift Ambush and the events surrounding it, including the Australians and Canadians is a fascinating action. You will have many hours of fun researching it!

Trooper Blurton was killed alongside his Commanding Officer, the legendary Lieutenant Colonel "Jack" Spreckley.

Best wishes,

Justin

Paul,

Superb find, well done.

I thought that you might like this picture to add to your research file on the man.

Regards
Adrian

Hello Justin,

Many thanks for this information, time for more research I think

Paul

JustinLDavies wrote: Paul,

The Klip Drift Ambush and the events surrounding it, including the Australians and Canadians is a fascinating action. You will have many hours of fun researching it!

Trooper Blurton was killed alongside his Commanding Officer, the legendary Lieutenant Colonel "Jack" Spreckley.

Best wishes,

Justin

Hello Adrian,

Thank you so much, this certainly adds to my research.
Could you give me the details of where he is laid to rest please.
I notice on the gravestone his Regiment is "Southern Rhodesia Volunteers" would he have moved to this Regiment after the Rhodesia Regt?

Once again thank you
Paul

capepolice wrote: Paul,

Superb find, well done.

I thought that you might like this picture to add to your research file on the man.

Regards
Adrian

Paul,

He is buried in the Petronella Railway Station Cemetery in Water Fall North, Pretoria.

The casualty list that I have has him as 423 Tpr Blurton.G KIA at Klip Drift on the 20th Aug 1900. Serving with the Southtern Rhodesia Volunteers also on the list is Lt Col J.A Speckley CGM.



After Elands River, the Rhodesian Regiment and Volunteers operated east of Rustenburg for a further short period before being disbanded in November 1900, but sadly not before five men of the Rhodesia Regiment were killed in action at Klipdrift.

On 20 August 1900, Lt Colonel John Spreckley of ‘E’ Squadron and his party were surrounded by some Boers, who, being dressed in khaki, were first taken for friends. When the mistake was discovered and Spreckley and his party were called upon to surrender, he replied, “Never give in to them, lads” and was immediately killed. By his death, Rhodesia lost one of its best-known and most popular men. He saw much service during the war, the Rhodesian Regiment to which he belonged having been in many battles and actions. Sergeants George Blurton and Alexander Downis and Corporal Robert Caffyn, all of ‘A’ Squadron, and Trooper Francis Forster of ‘E’ Squadron fell with their Commanding Officer.

Sad end to a few brave men.

Regards
Adrian