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In the South Aisle of St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast.













He died February 4th, 1901, of wounds received in action two days previously at Roodepoort, Boshman's Pan, half way between Middelburg and Ermelo. He was the second son of R H Reade DL of Wilmont, Antrim, was born in April 1879, and educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge. He was a good rider and Polo player. Lieutenant Reade entered the King's Royal Rifle Corps in August 1899, being promoted Lieutenant May 1900. Joining the 1st battalion in Natal, October 1899, he was present at the battle of Talana, the retirement to Ladysmith, and was in that town during the investment, being mentioned in despatches, LG, February 8th, 1901, by Lieutenant General Sir George White, for conspicuous gallantry at the battle of Wagon Hill, where his determination and promptitude greatly contributed to re-occupying a position which had been seized by the enemy. Lieutenant Reade had enteric after the relief and was invalided home, but rejoined at Middelburg in December 1900, and was appointed to the Mounted Infantry, with which he served till his death. On February 2nd he was sent in command of a small party to support a patrol of 18th Hussars under Lieutenant Cawston, both officers being mortally wounded, Lieutenant Reade being hit in three places. He was buried in a high piece of ground called Boshman's Pan. Lieutenant Reade was awarded the DSO LG, April 19th, 1901.
(My thanks to David for the above)

The plaque in the Cathedral looks to be far more recent than the window, and has replaced an older plaque or tablet. Most of the plaques below the windows in the North and South aisles are similar in design to Reade's, regardless of the different years the windows date from.

The window to the left of the one above is partly dedicated to Lieutenant Percy Dixon, 3rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers, who died at Cairo, 26th August 1902, aged 20. Any ABW connection?


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Many thanks for a very comprehensive and supported post, Berenice.

I do not think Percy Dixon was in South Africa. He was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant (aged 18 or 19) in May 1901 so probably joined too late.

A note in the Belfast Evening Telegraph ( sites.rootsweb.com/~econnolly/btextracts/bt19021200.html ) records:

On August 29 the officers and men of the Belfast Companies of the Imperial Yeomanry were the guests of the Lord Mayor at a complimentary luncheon in the Exhibition Hall. Unhappily Sir Daniel Dixon was prevented by the death of his son, Lieutenant Percy Dixon, from being present in person, but the chair was capably filled in his absence by Sir Robert M'Connell, Bart.

Reade's family also produced this beautifully bound memorial volume, one of my favourite Boer War books. 111pps with maps and other illustrations.