Officers who died in the Boer War 1899-1902

Ball-Acton. - 2nd Lieut. Vere Annesley Ball-Acton, was killed in action Feb. 18th, 1900, near Paardeberg. He was the son of Mrs. Ball-Acton, Brooklands, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, born in 22nd April, 1879, and educated at Rugby. He entered Sandhurst September 1897, and passed out in December 1898. He was gazetted to the 1st Battalion as 2nd Lieutenant, on the 11th Feb., 1899, and embarking with the 1st battalion for South Africa in Dec., 1899, was present at the relief of Kimberley and the action at Klip Drift. He was present at the attack on Cronje's rear-guard at Klip Kraal on the 16th February, and was shot through the head at the battle of Paardeberg on the 18th, when within a few hundred yards of Cronje's laager. Like his two brother officers, he found a soldier's grave by the side of the Modder River, being buried by a funeral party of Canadians, near whose shelter-trenches he had fallen. When killed he was entitled to the medal with four clasps. His death is mentioned in the despatch of F.-M. Earl Roberts of Feb. 28th, 1900, from Paardeberg.

Bright. - Lieut. Ashley Rowland Bright, 1st Batt., was killed in action near Paardeberg, Feb. 18th, 1900. He was the son of G. Bright, Esq., 25, Victoria Square, Clifton, was born 3rd Nov., 1872, educated at Winchester, and entered the Oxfordshire Light Infantry from the Militia as a2nd Lieutenant on 12th Dec., 1894, being promoted lieut. 17th Nov., 1897; appointed Assistant-Adjutant 1st Battalion, 18th February 1898. Lieut. Bright first served in Natal with the Ladysmith Relief Force, and was afterwards present with his battalion at the action at Klip Drift and the relief of Kimberley. At the time of his death, he was entitled to the medal with five clasps, including one for the relief of Ladysmith. His death is mentioned in the despatch of F.-M. Earl Roberts from Paardeberg, of Feb. 28th, 1900.

In the autumn of 1899 he proceeded to South Africa with the Durham Light Infantry, to which he was attached, in order to take command of the Maxim gun detachment. With them he was actively engaged until the arrival of his own Regiment, to which he was then transferred for duty, taking part in the invasion of the Orange Free State and the subsequent engagements, in command of a Company. He was shot dead through the heart on the 18th February at the battle of Paardeberg, and his loss was deeply felt by the whole Regiment.

He was an officer of great ability and much promise, and his Commanding Officer wrote of his death in the following words - "Poor Bright - I deeply regret his death, for he was an excellent officer, and a cheery, intelligent companion. How he escaped being shot two days earlier, at Klip Kraal, I cannot think, for throughout the day he was exposed to a perfect hail of lead."

Day.-Major Charles Russell Day, Oxfordshire Light Infantry, died from wounds received in action near Paardeberg, on Feb. 18th, 1900, during the pursuit of Cronje. He was the only son of the Rev. Russell Day, rector of Horstead, Norwich (Norfolk?), and Maria Isabella, eldest daughter of T. J. Knowlys, Esq., of Heysham Tower, Lancashire, and was born 19th April, 1860, and educated at Cheam School and Eton (Mr. Carter's). He entered the Oxfordshire Light Infantry from the 3rd Royal Lancashire Militia, which he had joined in 1880, as a Lieutenant, 28th Jan., 1882, promoted capt. 27th July, 1889, and major 23rd Oct. 1899. He served for a few months with the 2nd Battalion in Ireland, and was then transferred to the 1st Battalion in India. He was Adjutant of Volunteers, 1892-97. In 1884-85 he took part with his company in the operations for the suppression of the Moplah Riots, SOuthern India, ans was severely wounded by a bullet in the chest. Received the thanks of the Madras Government. Major Day was a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, and was well known in the musical world. In 1890 he was employed in connection with the musical department of the Royal Military Exhibition at South Kensington, and in 1892 served as a member of the English Committee of the Vienna International Musical Exhibition; he also served in a similar capacity for the Paris Musical Exhibition of 1900. He was the author of "Music and Musical Instruments of Southern India and The Deccan." Major Day accompanied his battalion to South Africa in Dec., 1899, and was present at the fighting at Klip Kraal, where his field glasses were broken to pieces by a bullet. He also took part in the Relief of Kimberley; and at Paardeberg was struck down when going to the assistance of Corporal Knowles, who was wounded, and whose life he saved. After he had been wounded and while being attended to, Major Day's first thought was for the Corporal, adding "never mind me."

He is buried at Paardeberg; his funeral was most pathetic. Among many others attending were some thirty men of his battalion who had been wounded - a sad picture. One who was present adds "not many of us returned with dry eyes."