TOPIC:

Hi,No I have not got the wrong war. My grandfather PTE. KEEL E. was wounded on June 4th 1901 at the above place.He served with the 8th Divison 2nd Btn Scots Guards under General Rundell. I have scoured the map at the back of the book [With the 8th Divison] by E.C.MOFFETT first edition 1903,which is in my keeping.I have come to the conclusion that it is a NICK NAME for a particular skirmish area.Could someone please help with this query? Thankyou Richard.

Richard,

That was certainly an interesting way to name your post! I'm sorry that I don't know the answer but hope someone else can answer your query.

Best wishes
David

Richard,
It seems that your grandfather was not on his own, I wonder if it was some wretched blockhouse in the Orange River Colony.
Regards Frank

Frank,That was great to get his regimental number, I didnt know it. As you say a BLOCKHOUSE would make sense. I hope i am doing right, this attachment is the map from the back of the book i mentioned. Maybe it will help others. Thanks to all for your help Richard

Hello Richard,
It is just the association that the name has and will forever have with the Scots Guards! but, I really don't know.
Regards again Frank

RICHARD wrote: Frank,That was great to get his regimental number, I didnt know it. As you say a BLOCKHOUSE would make sense. I hope i am doing right, this attachment is the map from the back of the book i mentioned. Maybe it will help others. Thanks to all for your help Richard

Hello Richard

I suspect it is this place:

Sebastopol Farm
[2828: 2822-2840] a farm in the Orange Free State (Bethlehem district; Free State), 40 km south-east of Bethlehem. On 20 July 1900 the Vrede (Cmdt F.J.W.J. Hattingh) and Harrismith (Cmdt C.J. de Villiers) commandos with three guns were positioned on the farm, a combined force of some 1,500 burghers. Times IV pp.325-326 (map facing p.342).

From A Gazetteer of the Second Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902, HM & MGM Jones (Military Press, Milton Keynes 1999)

Regards
Meurig