All the bodies were not found till later, as many were hidden by the long grass. Several parties were subsequently employed burying remains which were afterwards discovered, and the work was finally accomplished in March 1880, by a party of 60th Rifles. This party was accompanied by the Reverend J M Ritchie, Chaplain to the Forces, who performed the funeral service at two places on the battle-field. The following is an extract from Mr Ritchie’s report to the Chief of the Staff, dated 29th of March 1880:--
‘I beg to state, that in my opinion, speaking both as a clergyman and also as one who lost a very near connection and many intimate friends in the engagement. All has now been done that the most sensitive relative of any of the deceased could desire.’
Source - Narrative of the Field Operations by The Intelligence Branch of the War Office (p 125)
On Tuesday 8th February 1881 Surgeon McGan and the Chaplain Mr Ritchie were left with the wounded on the field of battle at Ingogo.
Source ‘Rifleman & Hussar’ by P S Marling (p 47)
Date of Birth - 11th April 1842
Date of First Commission - 10th April 1875
4th Class - 10th April 1875
3rd Class - 18th February 1882
South African War - 1879-80-81 - Transvaal Campaign, battle of Laing’s nek and action at Ingogo River. Despatches, London Gazette, 10th March and 29th March 1881. Promoted to be Chaplain, 3rd Class.
Source ‘1884 Army List’
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald 08 September 1888
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Canterbury City Cemetery
Canterbury, City of Canterbury, Kent, England
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