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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: BumbleB on Wednesday 10 March 10 08:58 GMT (UK)
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I have photographs of, I think, all of the memorials at Spion Kop, and would be willing to forward copies to interested parties. Just let me know the name and I'll look for him.
BumbleB
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BumbleB
I would be interested if you can find
MCCORQUODALE - Lieutenant Hugh Stewart - Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry.
Killed in action at Spion Kop. 24th Jan. 1900. Aged 24. Son of George and Emily McCorquodale, of the Isle of Anglesey. Born August 1875.
He was my mother in law's 1C1R
Many thanks
Pete
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Hi Pete: I've got two photographs for you. Lt McCorquodale appears on the main memorial, but also has his own headstone. PM sent to you to ask for your e-mail address, as I'm not sure if I can upload these photos here, due to size (little brain, and I haven't worked out how to do it ::)).
Sue
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Let's try this!
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Sent email address by PM as requested - thanks!
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Pete - Here is his entry in 'The Last Post', a roll of officers who died in the Boer War.
"Lieutenant Hugh Stewart McCorquodale, Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry, was killed in action at Spion Kop, 24 January 1900. He was the youngest son of the late George McCorquodale, Esq. of Newton-le-Willows and Gadlys, Menai Bridge, Isle of Anglesey, by his second wife Emily, daughter of the Rev. T. Sanderson, vicar of Doddington, Lancashire. Lieutenant McCorquodale was born August 1875, and educated at Harrow, where he was in the school football team. From Harrow he sent to Trinity College, Cambridge, and took his degree in June 1897. He was fond of all sports, shooting, hurling, fishing, and when at Cambridge, was whip to the drag hounds. He had intended joining his brothers in business, but when war broke out went to South Africa and joined Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry on 23 January 1900. In the battle the next day he and his men were exposed to a terrific flank fire. Mr. Winston Churchill, MP, states that the night beforeSpion Kop, when crossing the pontoon bridge over the Tugela he heard his name called, and recognised the face of a boy he had known at Harrow: this was Llieutenant McCorquodale, who said he had just arrived and hoped "to get a job." Next day Mr. Churchill heard that someone who could not be identified had been found leaning forward on his rifle dead. A pair of field glasses, broken by a bullet, bore the name "McCorquodale." Joined in the evening, killed at dawn, "gallant fellow, he had soon got his job: the great sacrifice had been required of the Queen's latest recruit." Lieutenant McCorquodale is buried on the field of battle where he fell."
David
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Thanks David
Your account gives a little more detail than I have seen previously. Unlucky chap!
Pete
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I know I'm a mere female, and don't understand these things, BUT ;D
If he joined Thoneycroft's Mounted Infantry on 23 January 1900 and died on 24 January 1900, where does his rank come from? Is one able to join as a Lieutenant?
Sue
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Not an expert on the army but I believe you have always been able to join as an officer. Years ago it probably depended on how much cash you had and who you knew. Nowadays there are educational and health qualifications.
Pete
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Fair enough, Pete, didn't want to detract from Lt McCorquodale, but just wondered whether it still went on even in the Anglo-Boer War (and he obviously had connections, from Ladysmith's answer!). Death doesn't make distinctions. Thanks
Sue
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I wonder from Ladysmiths piece whether he was the unlucky new recruit who put his head up at the wrong time and paid the ultimate price.
RIP
Pete
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Coming late to this thread.
Lieut McCorquodale already held a commission as Lieutenant in the 6th (Volunteer) Battalion, the King's Liverpool Regiment - then equivalent to the TA.
He had gone out as a correspondent for the Liverpool Daily Post, but like his school-fellow Winston Churchill, found that was not exciting enough and was taken on the strength by Thorneycroft. There were plenty of these semi-private units involved in that war and paper work would not be a priority.
A
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Ainslie
Many thanks for this latest information. Do you have a reference for it please?
Pete
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There are several websites which will give information via Google, but this one especially:
http://newton-le-willows.com/history/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1834
A
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I'll look into it. Thanks again!
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Hi Pete,
I was in my local charity shop on saturday in Manchester. They had on sale a collection of old books lether bound with gold leaf edging. In the cover was a prinetd sticker "Hugh Stewart McCorquodale " with a coat of arms ie a stag and a latin inscription. There are about 6 books in total.
Scots poetical works, Wilima Tell, Carlyle etc.
Its a remarkable piece of family history. #
regards Don
Moderator comment: email address removed in accordance with Rootschat policies to prevent spam and other internet abuses.
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Thanks for passing this on Donald.
I will contact a member of the family who might be interested in the books.
Thanks again
Pete
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Hi Sue,
I just noticed this post, and if your offer still stands, could you please look and see if there is a Private J. SWINDELLS on the Spion Kop memorial? I would like to confirm his first name (Josiah), which isn't given on the website I found. It shows he was killed at Spion Kop on 24 Jan 1900, Natal Field Force, Royal Lancashire Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Number 5385.
Thanks!
Arkay
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Yes, got him! Not a brilliant photo, I'm afraid, but!! And sorry it doesn't show first names on the monument either, nor regimental numbers.
If these are not clear enough, then please let me have your e-mail address, via private message, and I'll send full-size photographs.
Sue
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Boer War medal rolls only give initials. As does the casualty list. Even the memorial in Priory & Parish Church St Mary's. Regimental Chapel north wall Lancaster LANCASHIRE England, appears to only says 'J'. Also, as he died before WW1 his service record would have been destroyed.
You should contact the regimental museum as they may have more. Or try the local newspapers or a local memorial.
The regiment was The Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment.
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Thank you, Sue. The photo is quite clear, although I was really hoping for his first name, as I'm not certain that he's mine. (I'm pretty sure he is, though.)
And thanks also for the additional information, KM. From what I've read, the Battle of Spion Kop was an absolute catastrophe!
Merry Christmas to you and all the helpful Rootschatters!
Arkay
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Even though the British had been in Natal for more than 50 years there were no detailed maps of the Tugela valley. If there had have been the army would have realised that Spion Kop was overlooked by other peaks within rifle range. The pity is that you can see Ladysmith from the top of Spion Kop.
Ken