Van Der Westhuizen, Petrus Johannes (P J)

G. Henry (Harry) Alban Russell (Born 1879) Private G. Henry. A. 'Harry' RUSSELL No.6420 Thorneycroft Mounted Infantry. Killed in Action in the Battle of Spioenkop, 24 Jan 1900 in a failed and disastrous British attempt to open the route to relieve the siege of Ladysmith. Not a regular soldier but carrying out duties as a volunteer Medical orderly. Shot through the temple in the act of handing a message to Col. Thorneycroft advising that he (Thorneycroft) was now in Command. Some reports indicate that Harry actually fell in to Thorneycrofts arms. " Buller's campaign" by Julian Symons described the scene as "On the left Crofton found himself similarly unable to maintain an advanced line, and had to retreat to the main trench. It was just after the failure of the charge that Thorneycroft heard of his promotion. An orderly sent by Crofton (who may reasonably have felt aggrieved at being deprived of authority) was killed, but Thorneycroft's orderly officer, Lieutenant Rose, had seen the message. He crawled towards Thorneycroft and shouted: "Sir Charles Warren has heliographed that you are to take command. You are a General." After school at the Oratory School, Brompton, Harry had left for experience and work in South Africa . He initially arrived in Natal in May 1898 to work on the Natal Government Railway at putting down new railroads and was based at Wessels Nek, near Ladysmith, as part of the war effort. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following is a transcription of his last letter to his mother, Lucy (nee Debenham), followed by an extract from a letter describing Harry's final moments: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hospital Staff Thornycroft Mounted Corps Natal S.A. Jan 8 - 1900 Darling Mother You will see by the heading of this letter that I have joined the staff. You must know that there is nothing what ever to do in Natal now and the Hospital is a backdoor for part of the field. I can tell you it gives me pleasure to be able to give the poor chaps some relief from their hurts. I was present at Battle of Colenso and a more wonderful sight I don't think I ever saw. If you have ever been at the Palace and seen all the fireworks going off together it will give you some idea of the flash of the big guns & rifle which was extending for about 15 miles in a half circle. I must say I don't think that it wa