Mercer , Mervyn Louis Emerson (M L E)

Col. Ormellie Campbell Hannay, killed in action in South Africa 1900. The circumstances of Col. Hannay???s death were exceptional. At the battle of Paardeberg, Hannay???s brigade of mounted infantry was positioned in front of a Boer laager , or fortified camp. At around 3 pm. on 18 February 1900, he received a written order from Lord Kitchener: ??? The time has now come for a final effort. All troops have been warned that the laager must be rushed at all costs. Try and carry Stephenson???s brigade on with you. But if they cannot go, the mounted infantry should do it. Gallop up if necessary and fire into the laager.??? Hannay interpreted this poorly-drafted order to mean that he should charge the laager immediately, which Lord Kitchener later said was not his intention. Hannay then led all the mounted infantrymen that he could muster in a charge that, although carried out with determination, had no chance of success. The laager was about 500 yards away, but Hannay???s horse was killed under him and, when he tried to continue on foot, Boer sharpshooters riddled him with bullets. Two officers and a few men reached the laager, where they were immediately taken prisoner. That so senior an officer as a brigade commander should lose his life in this fashion indicates the rigidity of the idea that an order had to be carried out, no matter how absurd it seemed.

Killed in action near Paardeberg. 18th Feb. 1900. Aged 51. Born December 1848. Served Zululand 1879 (medal). Served as ADC to the Major-General, Bengal 1886 and ADC to Lieutenant-General, Bombay 1886-87.