EVELYN G.R 3rd (East Kent - The Buffs

Second Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion, 3rd (East Kent - The Buffs) Regiment. Died died of fever at Ekowe the Zulu War, South Africa 1879.

2nd Lt . G.R.J.Evelyn died at Etshowe on 30 / 3 / 79 , Eldest son of Colonel George P. Evelyn , of Hartley Manor , Dartford ,Kent ,
by his marriage with Esther Emiline , daughter of Lewis Phillips , Esq , and Grand Daughter of the Rev . Philip Phillips , of Frankfort - on - the - Maine . Born London 12 / 8 / 57 , and was educated at the East Sheen School , under Mr Waterfield's head - mastership ,
and at Mr Brackenbury's , at Wimbledon ; he also went through a course of instruction at the Royal Agricultural College , Cirencester.
In 1875 he obtained a commission in the Royal Surrey Militia , and on the 24th Nov 1877, was gazetted a second Lt in the Buffs.
Leaving England on the 26 / 1 / 78 , he joined his regt in Natal. After being for a few months with the Head - Quarters at Maritzburg
he was detailed to join the detatchment then stationed at Mauritius; shortly after his arrival on the Island , however , the detatchment
was ordered to rejoin the Head - Quarters , and he accompanied it back to Natal . Arriving at Durban , 2nd Lt Evelyn at once proceeded , with his company to join Pearson's Column , which was then in course of formation on the Lower Tugela , and susequently took part in the advance of that force into Zululand . Present at the battle of Inyezane 22nd Jan , and on the following day
, marched with his company into Etshowe . Serving in the defence of that position until nearly the end of Feb , when the Fever and Dysentery from which he had been for some days suffering mastered him , and he was obliged to go on the sick list . Without Medicine or medical Comforts , and with barely the necessaries of life , his recovery was hopeless ; and he died on the evening 30th
March 79. He buried the following day in the small cemetery outside the fort . A wooden monument was erected at the head of his grave by the men of his company , by whom he was much beloved ; and an inscription was cut in it by three officers of the Regt , who , in spite of hard duty , found time during the few remaining days of the siege to show this mark of Esteem for thier late comrade.
2nd Lt. Evelyn was a very promising young officer , and devoted to his profession ; fond of all field sports , in which he excelled ; a bold rider ; a skilful draughtsman . He had endeared himself to all with whom , during his brief life , he had come in contact .
From Mackinnon & Shadbolt .
cheers 90th.

This photo is also in Mackinnon & Shadbolts book , but , its B & W. This book for those who may be interested has a photo
of all the officers that died in the service of the Queen in Sth Africa and as you can see in my earlier posts a fairly detailed
Biography on each , along with a couple of maps and statistical details etc etc . Well Worth investing in as it isnt a cheap buy.
Looking somewhere around 30 Pds if your lucky or thereabouts !. At least that was the going rate when I managed to get mine
for 15 Pds !! , from ebay listed in the Boer War items . :lol!: .
cheers 90th.

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Photo By Tim Needham