TOPIC:

...."During the bombadrment of Mafeking on the morning of the 10th inst., Mr. James Dall, formerly of King Williamstown, son of Dr. Dall, the well-known Wesleyan temperance advocate, lost his life. Mr. Dall was superintending the despatch of food to his wife, who was in the women's laager, when a 94lb. shell came through the window and shattered his body. Mr. Dall was the second son of Dr. Dall, L.L.D., of Dublin University, who was the sixth son of Mr. J. W. Dall, who formerly carried on business at Roach Mill, Samlesbury. Dr. Dall resided at Knott House, Walton-le-Dale, but left England 24 years ago to take up the position of President of the Graaff-Reinet College, and died in South Africa six years ago."
The Blackburn Times, Saturday 24th February 1900

James Dall was born in Holborn, London, in 1859, and was killed in his home on Molopo Road, aged 41.
www.findagrave.com/memorial/158576781/james-dall

His father, Dr. James Kyall Dall, was born at Preston, England, and died at Grahamstown in 1894, aged 69.

According to public family trees on Ancestry:

James Dall married (date unknown) Catherine Heatlie Halliburton 1857-1946, born & died in South Africa.

They had 3 children all born in South Africa:

Hilda Holme Halliburton Dall 1888-1963, married and died in South Africa.

John Hilson Halliburton Dall 1892-1917, killed in action in France
www.findagrave.com/memorial/56379384/joh...son_halliburton-dall

James Kayll Allan Dall 1895-1946, died in South Africa

The South Australian Register, 27 March 1900, reported 'A sad death occurred this morning, February 10. Town Councillor James Dall, formerly of King William's town, son of professor Dall, the Wesleyan temperance advocate, who was much respected for his great integrity of character, was in his kitchen superintending the despatch of food to his wife, who was living in the women's laager. A 94-pound shell came through the window. There was no previous warning, for neither our guns nor the enemy's guns had been firing. The shell caught him on the hip and severed his body in two and shattered his limbs. He has left a widow and two sisters here and three children at the coast, who were sent there for safety.'

Ross's diary from 10 February 1900 recorded how 'Another very lamentable occurrence happened today. Mr J Dali, a highly respected citizen and member of the Town Council, was struck by a big 94-pound shell and literally blown to pieces. He had just gone out of the trenches to get some breakfast, and was sitting at the table in his kitchen, when Big Ben, first coming through a 14-inch wall, hit him apparently right in the middle of the body, cutting him in half, then passed out through the opposite wall, and was picked up some 7 or 800 yards away unexploded. Poor Dali will be much regretted, and the town sincerely condoles with his sorrowing wife and children.'

Mr Dall's House

The Otago Witness on 19 April 1900 reported on events on 12 February 1900: 'At 7 o'clock in the morning the funeral took place of Mr W Dall, who had been killed the day before by a shell from the siege gun. A detachment of the Town Guard from the fort he commanded marched through the streets. The funeral was a curious object-lesson. The procession kept step, and moved with a soldierly swing; they had even guides and markers, and could drill a little. They had no uniform; every sort of hat, from a respectable black bowler to a disreputable battered slouch, was to be found amongst them. Their clothes, too, were varied. There were men in black morning coats and men with scanty clothing, but still four months' siege had made them soldiers. These men faced the possibilities and the three months' living in the trenches with equanimity. They had learned to obey orders, trust the commanding officers, and do their duty without asking why.'

His QSA was apparently sold at Sotheby's in July 1987. I do not have that catalogue. Cam anyone verify that please?