TOPIC:

His wounding was reported in an Oldham newspaper, published six days before his death in South Africa, and over two weeks after the battle at Spion Kop; the wording of the notification, speaking of him in the past tense, seems to suggest that he wasn't expected to live. Did his fatal wounding occur at Spion Kop, over three weeks before his death?

"The parents of Private R. Higo, who live at Hollins-road, Hollinwood, have received official confirmation of the report that their son Robert, who is in the 2nd Battalion of the King's Royal Lancaster Regiment, was wounded at Spion Kop. They are told that it will be some satisfaction to them that he bore himself as a good British soldier, and that he did well in the service of his Queen and country."
Oldham Chronicle, Saturday 10th February 1900

Higo is listed as wounded at Spion Kop 24-01, and as you know, died of wounds 16-02.

Thanks. I shall have to go back to the Oldham Chronicle later that month, and try to find if a cause of death is mentioned.

Morning

His papers survive in WO363, there his first name is 'Roger' and they state twice that he was KIA.

The Times shows he was wounded and then died of "gunshot wound" as per the casualty roll - which copied The Times in the first place.

I think the use of the past tense in the newspaper is just referring to him having done his duty, not necessarily having died.