Officer casualties, surnames N - O

Napier, Lieutenant Basil, 34th Company Imperial Yeomanry

He died at Senekal, of wounds received in action, December 28th, 1900.  He was the eldest son of the Honourable Mark Napier and grandson of Lord Napier and Ettrick, formerly Ambassador to the Russian and other Courts and Governor of Madras.  Lieutenant Napier was twenty one years of age.

Neave, 2nd Lieutenant Arthur Cormack, 1st Battalion Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment

He was killed in action near Paardeberg, February 18th, 1900.  He was born in June 1877, and entered his regiment from the New Zealand Local Military Forces November 1899.  This officer's death is mentioned in the despatch of Field Marshal Earl Roberts from Paardeberg, February 28th, 1900.  2nd Lieutenant Neave was also mentioned in despatches, LG, September 10th, 1900.

Neill, Lieutenant Colin Eric Smith, Royal Engineers

He died of enteric at Pretoria, February 17^th, 1901.  He was born in August 1876, educated at Charterhouse, and entered the Royal Engineers December 1895, being promoted Lieutenant December 1898.  He was present at the battle of Colenso and was in the actions at Spion Kop and Vaal Kranz, and in the engagements on the Tugela before the relief of Ladysmith.  Lieutenant Neill took part in the subsequent advance into the Transvaal under General Sir Redvers Buller, and in the operations under Lieutenant General Sir F Clery, near Standerton.  Lieutenant Neill was buried at Pretoria beside Lieutenant Hughes, Royal Irish Fusiliers.  His name was inscribed on the tablet in the War Memorial Cloister at Charterhouse.

Nelles, Lieutenant J H, Commander in Chiefs Bodyguard

He died of peritonitis at Bloemfontein, January 29th, 1901.

Nesham, Lieutenant Thomas Peere William, 38th Battery Royal Field Artillery

He was killed in action between Tweebosch and Palmietkuil, March 7th, 1902.  He was born in May 1880, educated at Haileybury, and entered the Royal Artillery December 1898, being promoted Lieutenant February 1901.  At Tweebosch the section of the 38th Battery found itself unprotected, but the detachment continued to serve the guns until every man, except Lieutenant Nesham, was killed or wounded.  He was then summoned to surrender, and on refusing to do so was shot down.  He was mentioned in the despatch of Lieutenant General Lord Methuen from Klerksdorp, March 13th, who reported "I would also call attention to the gallant manner in which Lieutenants Nesham and Yenning, Royal Field Artillery, stuck to their guns".  Lieutenant Nesham was also mentioned in the despatch of General Lord Kitchener from Pretoria, April 8th, 1902.

Nethercote, Lieutenant G F, Kitchener's Horse

He died of enteric at Florida, South Africa, June 1st, 1900.

Newbury, Captain Bertram Archdale, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry

He was killed in action near Paardeberg, February 18th, 1900.  He was the son of Major T Newbury, was born in 1865, and educated at Wellington (The Hill) where he was a Prefect and played in the cricket XL, and also represented the college at racquets.  He entered the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry from the Royal Military College, August 1884, being promoted Captain July 1893.  He served in the Nile Expedition, 1884-85, with the 2nd battalion of his regiment, and received the medal with clasp and the Khedive's star.  This officer's death is mentioned in the despatch of Field Marshal Earl Roberts, from Paardeberg, February 28th, 1900.

Newnham, Lieutenant Percival Forbes, Indian Staff Corps, attached to Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry

He was killed in action at Spion Kop, January 24th, 1900.  He was born in June 1870, educated at Malvern and Clifton Colleges, and entered the Lancashire Fusiliers January 1892, being transferred to the Indian Staff Corps July 1895.  At Spion Kop he was hit in two places, and was bleeding to death, but he propped himself upon a rock and continued to fire till a third bullet killed him.

Neumeyer, Lieutenant L, Orange River Colony Police

He was presumed killed on November 23rd, 1900, but his body was found the following day, near Aliwal North.

Noble, Captain Charles John Herbert Hay, commanding the Mounted Infantry, 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment

He died November 12th, 1901, of wounds received in action at Schalkie Farm, near Bethlehem, the same day.  He was the eldest son of Colonel C S Noble, of Innerwick, Murrayfield, Edinburgh, was born June 1870, and educated at Haileybury.  He served in the ranks for over five years, was given a commission in the Yorkshire Regiment in September 1894, being promoted Lieutenant January 1897, and Captain in the Manchester Regiment June 1900.  He served with the Isazai Expedition, 1892; and in the campaign on the North West Frontier of India, under Sir William Lockhart, 1897-98, with the Tirah Expeditionary Force as transport officer to the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment.  He was present at the capture of the Sampagha and Arhanga Passes, the capture of Bagh, the Dwatoi reconnaissance, the reconnaissance and engagement of the Saran Sar, and engagement November 11th, and took part in the operations in the Bazar Valley, being mentioned in despatches, LG, April 5th, 1898, and received the medal with two clasps.  In September 1899, Captain Noble proceeded to South Africa from India on special service, and was through the siege of Ladysmith as transport officer to Lieutenant General Sir Ian Hamilton.  He then served at Wynberg and at Senekal, and acted as Intelligence Officer at Bethlehem, and led a successful night attack on a Boer farm in March 1901.  He was afterwards on the Staff of the 17th Brigade, and in August 1901, was given command of the Mounted Infantry Company of his battalion.  In one engagement he was wounded, and for his services was mentioned in despatches, LG, May 7th, 1901.  He was buried in Harrismith military cemetery.

Noel, Lieutenant B C, Imperial Light Horse

Died of wounds received in action at Oogvanmarico, July 10th, 1901.

Noel, Lieutenant Edward William Middleton Noel, 2nd Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment

He died of enteric at Bloemfontein, May 19th, 1900.  He was the eldest son of Colonel Frederick Noel, late Royal Engineers, and grandson of Colonel E Noel, late 31st Regiment, and one of His Majesty's Corps of Gentlemen at Arms.  Lieutenant Noel was born in 1880, and educated at Cheltenham College.  He was only gazetted to his regiment from the Royal Military College, Jan, 2Oth, 1900, being promoted Lieutenant May 16th, three days before he died.  His name was inscribed on the Eleanor Cross Memorial at Cheltenham College.

Noke, Lieutenant W H, 7th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry

He was killed in action at Vlakfontein May 29th, 1901.  He was a son of Major Edward Noke, 1st Volunteer Battalion Prince Albert's Somersetshire Light Infantry, of East Hayes House, Bath, was born June 21st, 1876, and educated privately.  Lieutenant Noke went out as a trooper in the 48th Company Imperial Yeomanry which acted as special bodyguard to Field Marshal Earl Roberts, and subsequently to General Lord Kitchener.  He was gazetted to the 7th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry as Lieutenant in March 1901, and was present at many engagements during the war, including the actions at Johannesburg and Diamond Hill.

North, Captain Louis Aylmer, Manchester Regiment

He died of enteric, at Kroonstad, December 3rd, 1901, after two days illness.  He was the second son of North North of Thurland Castle, Lancashire, was born April 1866, and educated at St Bee's School.  He entered the Royal Scots Fusiliers from the 4th Battalion Royal Lancaster Regiment, December 14th, 1887, being promoted Lieutenant November 1st, 1890, and Captain June 1899.  He served in the operations of the North-West Frontier of India, 1897-98, with the Kohat and Kurram Valley Force.  At the action of the Uhlan Pass, August 27th, he was severely wounded.  He also served with the Tirah Expedition.  Captain North was placed on half pay in June 1899, owing to his wounds and on recovering joined the Manchester Regiment January 1901.  He served in South Africa with the Manchesters in Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal and ORC until struck down with enteric.  At the time of his death he was in command of the 3rd Shorncliffe Mounted Infantry Company, and a tablet was erected in Shorncliffe Garrison Church to his memory and that of the men of the company who lost their lives during the war.

Northcott, Major and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Henry Ponting CB Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians)

He was killed in action at the battle of Modder River, November 28th, 1899.  He was the second son of Dr W Northcott, Staines, and late of Rochester House, Little Haling.  Lieutenant Colonel Northcott was born in October 1856, and was educated privately.  He was a good sportsman and fond of all games, being an excellent golf and football player.  He entered the 19th Foot, February 1876, being promoted Lieutenant February 1877, and exchanged to the 2nd West India Regiment, November 1878.  He became Captain in February 1886, was transferred to the Leinster Regiment the following September promoted Major October 1894, and brevet Lieutenant Colonel July 1899.  His first experience of active service was in the Sherbro Expedition, 1883 with the 2nd West India Regiment, being mentioned in despatches and awarded the medal.  He served in the operations in Zululand, 1888, as DAAG.  He had held the following Staff appointments: DAAG for Instruction, South Africa, April 1888, to June 1891; DAAG South Africa, June 1891, to March 1893; Staff Captain (Intelligence) Headquarters of Army, May 1893, to June 1895; DAAG (Intelligence) Headquarters of Army, June 1895, to October 1897.  He was on special service in Ashanti, December 1895, to February 1896, and served in the expedition under Sir Francis Scott, being awarded the star.  He was appointed Commissioner and Commandant Northern Territories, Gold Coast, in October 1897, and conducted the operations in that region, notably the expedition to Karaga, with much ability.  For his services on the Gold Coast he was, in 1899, mentioned in despatches, promoted Lieutenant Colonel, and made a CB.  On the formation of the Field Force for South Africa, Lieutenant Colonel Northcott was appointed DAAG on the Staff of the 1st Division, and was present at the actions of Graspan and Belmont.  He fell at Modder River while carrying orders for more troops to support the left attack.  Lieutenant General Lord Methuen, in his despatch December 1st, 1899, wrote: "The Army has lost one of the ablest officers in the service, and I cannot express the grief his death has caused me".  Lieutenant Colonel Northcott was buried close to the bank of the Modder River.

Norwood, Captain William Blakeney, Royal Horse Artillery

He died in London, August 28th, 1900, from the effects of a sun stroke contracted in South Africa.  He was born in July 1865, educated at Cheltenham College, and entered the Royal Artillery, April 1885, being promoted Captain in May 1895.  He embarked for South Africa as adjutant Royal Horse Artillery, Brigade Division, December 1899, and served there till March 1900, when he was invalided home.  His name was inscribed on the Eleanor Cross Memorial at Cheltenham College.

O'Brien, Captain Walmsley Donat, 2nd Battalion Scottish Rifles

He was mortally wounded in the operations at Almond's Nek, June 11th, 1900, and died the following day.  He was the eldest son of Captain W E F O'Brien, late 54th Regiment, of 23 Cheniston Gardens, Kensington, London.  He was born February 1872, and educated at Eton.  He entered the Scottish Rifles from the 3rd battalion in March 1892, being promoted Lieutenant October 1894, and Captain February 1899.  He served with his battalion at the battle of Colenso, supporting the guns of the Naval Brigade, and afterwards with the mounted infantry of the Natal Force up to the Relief of Ladysmith.  He then served with the Mounted Infantry under Captain H P Gough and Major General the Earl of Dundonald, and was mortally wounded in the turning movement, which resulted in the capture of Laing's Nek.

O'Brien-Butler, Lieutenant Pierce Edmond, Army Service Corps

He died of enteric at Wynberg, January 15th, 1902.  He was born in June 1877, entered the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers from the 5th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers, April 1900, and was transferred to the Army Service Corps the following August.  He was promoted Lieutenant in the Army Service Corps, November 1901.  He embarked for South Africa, February 1900, with the 5th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers and had served continuously during the war up to the date of his death.

O'FIaherty, Captain H H, Commander in Chiefs Bodyguard

He was killed in action near Reitvlei, between July 24th and 28th, 1901.  He was formerly in the Imperial Light Horse, and had resided in Johannesburg, where he was well known.

Ogilvy, Captain John Herbert Cecil, DSO, Gordon Highlanders (attached South African Constabulary)

Died at Reitfontein West, December 19th, 1901, from a wound received in action at Klipgat two days previously.  He was appointed March 1901, to a company in the Gordon Highlanders, from the Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry.  This unusual mark of distinction to a Colonial officer was earned by brilliant service.  He had held the post of adjutant of the 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment, and was afterwards appointed an extra staff officer graded as DAAG.  Captain Ogilvy was mentioned in despatches, LG, April 16th, 1901, and was awarded the DSO.

See his DSO entry.

Ogle, Lieutenant Thomas Frederick Garth, 3rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers Mounted Infantry

He was accidentally drowned at Pretoria, October 30th, 1901, while crossing a swollen drift, after a heavy storm.  He was the only son of Major General Frederick Amelius Ogle, CB, late Colonel Commandant of the Royal Marines, and grandson of Admiral T Ogle.  He was born July 1877, educated at Clifton College, and entered the Royal Fusiliers, from the 5th Battalion Rifle Brigade in May 1898, being promoted Lieutenant April 1899.

Oglesby, Lieutenant T D, Durban Light Infantry

He died of dysentery at Estcourt, May 8th, 1900.

O'Hagan, Lieutenant Lord, 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards

He died at Springfontein, December 13th, 1900, of enteric.  Thomas Towneley O'Hagan, second Baron O'Hagan, of Tullahogue, Tyrone, in the peerage of the United Kingdom, was the son of the first baron, who was twice Lord Chancellor of Ireland, by his second wife, Alice Mary, daughter of Colonel Charles Towneley, of Towneley, Lancashire.  He was born in December 1878, educated at the Oratory School, Edgbaston, and entered the Grenadier Guards from the Royal Military College, February 1898, being promoted Lieutenant October 1899.  He succeeded his father in the title in 1885.  Lieutenant Lord O'Hagan was serving in the 2nd battalion on the outbreak of the war, but he joined the 3rd battalion in December 1899, in order to proceed to South Africa, and served with it up to the time of his death.

Oldfleld, Major Henry Elliott, 38th Battery Royal Field Artillery

Died at Lindley, July 6th, 1900, of wounds received in action three days previously at Pleisirfontein.  He was born in July. 1858, and entered the Royal Artillery, December 1878, being promoted Captain January 1887, and Major December 1896.  Major Oldfield proceeded to South Africa in command of his battery in November 1899, served at Kimberley under Lieutenant General Lord Methuen, and afterwards in the ORC, with the force under General Paget.  The day Major Oldfield was mortally wounded tbe guns appear to have come under a severe fire.  Sir A Conan Doyle states "The escort was inadequate, insufficiently advanced and badly handled . .  and the gallant Major, with Lieutenant Belcher, was killed in defence of the guns.  Captain Fitzgerald, the only other officer present, was wounded in two places".  Major Oldfield was mentioned in despatches, LG, September 10th, 1901.

Oldnall, Captain Henry Cairns, Royal Horse Artillery

He was killed in action at Tabaksberg, January 29th, 1901.  He was born in March 1868, and entered the Royal Artillery, February 1886, being promoted Captain May 1896.  He served in the operations on the North-West Frontier of India, 1897-98, with the Malakand Field Force, being present at the action at Landaka and the operations in South Bajaur and in the Mamund Country.  Captain Oldnall was also with the Buner Field Force in the attack and capture of the Tanga Pass, and received the medal with clasp.  He served in South Africa from December 1899, and was station staff officer at Rhenoster.

Oliver, Lieutenant Douglas Morison, 2nd Battalion Norfolk Regiment

He died at Mylstroom, August 27th, 1900, of wounds received in action two days previously.  He was born September 1874, and entered the Norfolk Regiment in April 1895, from the South-East of Scotland Artillery (Southern Division, Royal Garrison Artillery), being promoted Lieutenant September 1897.  Lieutenant Oliver belonged to the 1st battalion in India and was serving at the depot at Norwich, but volunteering for active service he was sent to South Africa in July 1900.

Oliver, 2nd Lieutenant L M, 6th Dragoons

He was killed in action near Heilbron, November 30th, 1901.  He was the only son of Mrs Oliver, of Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, was born in 1881, and educated privately.  He first entered the 3rd Battalion of the Buffs (East Kent Regiment), February 1900, in which he served in South Africa till October 1901, when he was granted a commission in the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons, a few weeks before he was killed.

Olliver, Captain Spencer Alwynne, South African Constabulary (C Division)

Died of enteric at Pretoria April 28th, 1902.  See his DSO entry.

O'Neil, Assistant Surgeon J T, Indian Medical Service

He died at Geluk, August 25th, 1900.

Onraët, Lieutenant Hugh Bernard, Royal Army Medical Corps

He was killed February 27th, 1900, in the attack on Pieter's Hill.  He was born in October 1871, and entered the Royal Army Medical Corps, July 1899.  He was mentioned in despatches, LG, February 8th, 1901.

Orlebar, 2nd Lieutenant William Aubrey, 19th Hussars

He died in Ladysmith, February 17th, 1900.  He was born March 1879, educated at Harrow, and entered the 19th Hussars in May 1898.  He proceeded to South Africa with his regiment from India in September 1899, and took part in the defence of Ladysmith up to the time of his death.

Ormond, Lieutenant A, Imperial Light Horse

He was killed in action at Naauwpoort, January 3rd, 1901.

Orr-Ewing, Major James Alexander, Commanding the Warwickshire Yeomanry

He was killed in action at Kleis, May 28th, 1900.  He was the younger son of Sir Archibald Orr-Ewing, first baronet, was born 1857, and educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge, becoming MA in 1889.  Major Orr-Ewing, who was a very keen and popular sportsman, and a good rider and fisherman, married, in 1898, Lady Margaret Frances Susan, daughter of and sister of the Duke of Roxburghe, and left one daughter, Millicent Lilian Elizabeth.  He joined the 16th Lancers in 1880, was promoted Lieutenant 1881, Captain 1888, and Major 1896.  Retiring from the 16th Lancers he joined the Reserve of Officers, and was gazetted a Captain in the Warwickshire Yeomanry, 1898, a Company of which he commanded at the time of his death.  He was ADC to Lord Londonderry (Lord Lieutenant of Ireland) from 1885 to 1890, and ADC to Field Marshal Earl Roberts (Commander in Chief in Ireland, from 1895 to 1896).

Osborne, Lieutenant John Woodburne, Scottish Rifles

He was killed in action at Spion Kop, in the operations on the Upper Tugela, January 24th, 1900.  He was born in June 1873, and educated at the Collegiate Institute, Brantford; Trinity School, Port Hope; and the Royal Military College, Kingston, Canada.  He entered the Scottish Rifles, November 1895, being promoted Lieutenant November 1897.  He was assistant adjutant to his battalion, and in 1899 was appointed ADC to the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal, but rejoined his battalion in order to serve in South Africa.

Otter-Barry, Lieutenant Francis Melvil, U Battery Royal Horse Artillery

He was killed in action at Vlakfontein, ORC, September 19th, 1901.  He was the son of Robert Melvil Barry Otter-Barry of 8 Emperor's Gate, London, was born April 1876, and educated at Marlborough.  He entered the Royal Artillery in March 1896, and was promoted Lieutenant March 1899.  Lieutenant Otter-Barry went to South Africa with U Battery, and took part in the operations at Paardeberg, February 21st to 28th, 1900, and in the subsequent engagements at Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Zand River, and Doorn Kop.  He was also present at the occupation of Pretoria and the operations in the ORC, which resulted in the surrender of General Prinsloo.  At Vlakfontein, where he fell, about fifteen miles south-east of Bloemfontein, Lieutenant Otter-Barry, it is stated, behaved most gallantly, and was killed beside his guns.  He was mentioned in despatches by General Lord Kitchener, December 8th, 1901, for his "conspicuous good service".  His name was inscribed on a tablet placed in Marlborough College Chapel to the memory of all Marlburians who fell in the war.

Owen, Captain Hall, Victoria Militia Medical Staff Corps

He died of enteric at Chieveley, April 5th, 1900.

Owen-Lewis, Lieutenant Francis, 14th Bombay Infantry

He was killed in action near Graspan in a reconnaissance with an armoured train, November 24th, 1899.  He was the second son of Henry Owen-Lewis DL of Inniskeen, Monaghan, and was born in August 1869.  He entered the Durham Light Infantry from the Militia in February 1891, was promoted Lieutenant March 1893, and joined the Indian Staff Corps July 1894.  He is stated to have done good work in India, especially in connection with the precautions taken for the suppression of plague at Poona.