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I no longer believe in coincidences. This past January, I had the chance to visit Caesars Camp and Wagon Hill.

When I saw Albert's sketch as to where they had buried young Raikes, I immediately recognized it as the cemetery I had explored. And, as if fate had a hand in it, the memorial I photographed belonged to none other than Lt. Raikes himself.

James felt immense relief and gratitude that his son had emerged from the war in South Africa unscathed.

Courtesy of this website:
www.angloboerwar.com/medals-and-awards/2...medals/n/4440-norton

Hull Daily Mail, 13th November 1903

GALLANT SONS OF NORTON.

A PUBLIC RECEPTION.

Th presentation of medals to the men of Norton (Malton) who fought in the South African war was publicly made on Thursday by Colonel J.D. Legard. Out of a population of about 4,000, Norton sent 44 men to the war. The presentation took place in the Coronation Hall. Some of the men were away with their regiments, but all who could attend were escorted to the hall by detachments of Yorkshire Hussars and Rifle Volunteers, the local band leading the way. Medals were also presented to the relatives of men who had fallen, five of the contingent having been killed in action. The first medal which Colonel Legard had the pleasure of handing over was to his own son, Captain A.D. LEGARD.

St Peter’s Church was afterwards filled by a large congregation, the Bishop of Beverley undertaking the duty of unveiling a stained glass window at the eastern end of the north chapel. It was designed by Mr C.E. Kempe, who also designed the fine east window in the nave, inserted only a few months ago, and given by his Honour Judge Raikes and Mrs Raikes in memory of their only son, Lieutenant F. Howard RAIKES, of the King’s Royal Rifles, who was killed at Waggon Hill, Ladysmith, in January, 1900. The window has been erected at the sole cost of Colonel J.D. and Mrs Legard, in part as a thanksgiving for the safe return of their son, Captain Alfred Digby LEGARD, of the King’s Royal Rifles, from the war, and partly to commemorate the services therein of many other “sons of Norton” who went out to South Africa. Tablets by the side of the window bore the names of the “sons of Norton” who returned in peace, and of those who died in war.

Silver medals to:

King's Royal Rifle Corps –
Captain Alfred Digby LEGARD
2nd Lieutenant Francis Howard RAIKES (K.I.A., Wagon Hill, 06/01/1900 - medal presented to his family)

Presentation made by Colonel J.D. Legard, in the Coronation Rooms, Norton.

Obverse with the badge of The East Yorkshire Regiment, and: "BOER WAR 1899-1902 / PRO PATRIA".
Reverse: "PRESENTED / BY THE PARISH OF NORTON / TO / [TROOPER]".

Thus concludes a 350-year journey through history—from the Boleyns to the English Civil War, the Portuguese Civil War, the Zulu War, and finally, the Second Anglo-Boer War. James described the loss of his father as the most stunning blow he had ever endured. Sadly, like so many families during the Great War, he would suffer a second devastating loss with the death of his son.

Despite these hardships, he was awarded the KCB in 1909 and, remarkably, was mobilized to France for the Great War at the age of 71.

An extraordinary legacy!

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A fantastic archive and read, Sturgy. Thank you so much for all of these posts and images.