Surgeon-Major Edmund Baron Hartley. VC

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Colonel Edmund Baron Hartley VC CMG (6th May 1847 – 20 March 1919 was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Hartley was born in Ivybridge, Devon, England, on 6 May 1847. He was 32 years old, and a surgeon major in the Cape Mounted Riflemen, Cape Colonial Forces during the Basuto Gun War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 5th June 1879 in South Africa, Surgeon Major Hartley attended the wounded under fire at the unsuccessful attack at Moorosi's Mountain. From an exposed position, on open ground, he carried in his arms a wounded corporal of the Cape Mounted Riflemen. The surgeon major then returned under severe enemy fire in order to dress the wounds of the other men of the storming party.

He later achieved the rank of surgeon colonel and, in March 1900 during the Second Boer War fighting at Aliwal, he is mentioned doing ambulance work, ferrying away the wounded under fire.

In November 1900 he was reported wounded following the occupation of Philippolis by Lovat Scouts and Seaforth Highlanders

On 19 April 1901 he was appointed a companion of the Order of St Michael and St George. He died in Ash, Hampshire and is buried at Brookwood.

I doubt he served against the Zulu.

JY

I think JY has a point.

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Graves1879 Can you dig out his service papers. If you have time.

Hi 24th

I am unable to find his service record but have found the following, no mention of the Zulu War of 1879.

Hartley Edmund Colonel Born May 6, 1847; is son of Dr Edmund Hartley, of S Devon, and was educated privately at Plymouth. He joined the CMR November 4, 1877; served through the Gaika-Galcka and Marotsi rebellions, 1877-8-9 medal); Basuto and Tembuland, 1880-1; Langberg, 1897 (medal and three clasps); and the Boer War (QSA, three clasps, and KSA, two clasps). Colonel Hartley commands the Cape Med. Corps, and is PMO of the Cape Colony Forces. He married Ellen, 2nd daughter of J Rose-Innes, CMG, late Under-Secretary for native Affairs.

I’ll move this topic to (Graves of Interest. Non Zuluwar) Thanks JY for pointing this out.