| Symons | Sir William | | Major General | He was mortally wounded October 2Oth, 1899, at the battle of Talana Hill, and died three days later. He was the eldest son of William Symons of Halt, Cornwall, was born in July 1843, and educated privately. Sir W Penn Symons married Caroline, only daughter of T P Hawkins of Edgbaston, Warwickshire. He was a good sportsman and fond of hunting, shooting and fishing. He entered the 24th Foot in March 1863, being promoted Lieutenant October 1866, Captain February 1878, Major July 1881, brevet Lieutenant Colonel May 1886 and brevet Colonel July 1887. He had his first experience of active service in South Africa, when, as a Captain of the 24th Foot, he took part in the operations against the Galekas in 1877-78, and in the Zulu war during the following year, being awarded the medal and clasp. He next served with the Burmese Expedition in 1885-89 as DAA and QMG, when he organised and commanded the Mounted Infantry; also as Brigadier General in command of the Chin Field Force (several times mentioned in despatches, brevets of Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel, medal with two clasps). He also took part in the Chin-lushai Expedition of 1889-90, in command of the Burma column (received the thanks of the Government of India, CB, and clasp). In 1894-95 he commanded a brigade of the Waziristan Field Force, and was mentioned in despatches and granted a clasp. He then served in the campaign on the North-West Frontier of India under Sir William Lockhart, 1897-98, in command of the 2nd brigade Tochi Field Force, and afterwards commanded the 1st division of the Tirah Expeditionary Force (twice mentioned in despatches, KCB, and medal with two clasps). He was appointed Brigadier General in Natal, May 15th, 1889, and Major General just before the commencement of the war. At the battle of Talana Hill, about 9 am, Sir Penn Symons, accompanied by Colonel Dartnell and Majors Hammersley and Murray, DAAGs, galloped forward and jumped into a wood, in front of which was the Boer position. Leaving their horses in a donga, they then hurried on, and having arrived at the edge nearest the enemy Major Hammersley was severely wounded. A moment later, at 9.15, Sir Penn Symons, as he was stepping through a gap was struck down, and turning to Major Murray, he said, "I am mortally wounded". He was then assisted and carried back into camp, and as he was being taken away and afterwards when in hospital, his only question was "have they got the hill?" He died on October 23rd, a few hours after the Boers entered Dundee. He was mentioned in the despatch of Lieutenant General Sir George White, from Ladysmith, December 2nd, 1899, for his "energy and courage". Sir G White considered the country had lost "an officer of high ability and a leader of exceptional valour" LG, February 8th, 1901. The men of the Durban Light Infantry erected a memorial over the grave of Sir Penn Symons at Dundee, and an Institute in his memory was built at Umballa, where he was commanding until summoned to Natal in 1899 to take command of the troops there. (See Lieutenant Colonel Gunning)
Source: Donner | Staff |
