About the product

QSA KSA Colenso Wound KIA WW1

2nd Lieut Charles William Weir, R.F.A. A Bombardier of 14 Battery, R.F.A., wounded in the Victoria Cross “Saving of the Guns” action at Colenso during the Boer War, commissioned and shot in the head and killed in Gaza on 28th October 1917.

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SKU: J7263 Category:
Origin: United Kingdom
Nearly Extremely Fine

Description

Queen’s South Africa, 5 bars, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Tugela Heights, King’s South Africa, 2 bars, SA 1901, SA 1902, 1914 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal.

 

2nd Lieutenant Charles William Weir, Royal Field Artillery, Former Battalion Quarter Master Sergeant of the Meerut Divisional Artillery Column.

 

A long serving Veteran of the the Boer War, who was wounded in action at the V.C. action of Colenso on 15th December 1899 as a Gunner with 14th Battery, rose up the ranks to Battalion Quarter Master Sergeant in 1914 and granted a commission as 2nd Lieut during 1916. He was later to be killed in action at Gaza, being shot in the head on 28th October 1917 at Midnight.

 

Queen’s South Africa officially impressed: “30247 A-Bombr: C.W. Weir. 14th Bty R.F.A.” one edge knock reverse 6 o’clock.

 

King’s South Africa officially impressed: “30247 Bomb: C.W. Weir. R.F.A.” one edge knock reverse 6 o’clock.

 

1914-15 Star officially impressed: “30247 B.Q.M. Sjt C.W Weir. R.F.A.”

 

BWM and Victory officially impressed: “2. Lieut C.W. Weir.”

 

He was born on 26th September 1880 in London, St Giles, enlisting for service age 18 on 26th September 1899.

 

As soon as he landed in South Africa he was involved in the ill fated battle of Colenso as one of Colonel Long’s Gunners.

 

“Outpacing the infantry escort the field guns of 14 and 66 Battery gradually pulled ahead. Misled by the morning mist and poor light long took his Guns too far forward.

At about 6am as they came up at a trot to the chosen gun position, they were engulfed in rifles fire from the area of Fort Wylie.

After an hour although they had subdued much of the opposition their ammo began to run short.

Additionally many of the men, including Colonel Long were wounded. As the guns fell silent Sir Redvers Buller asked for volunteers to bring the guns back.

Six drivers and Three Officers including Lieutenant Roberts, son of Sir Frederick Roberts of Kandahar, attempted the near impossible.

They did manage to hook up and bring back 2 guns but in the process Lt Roberts was mortally wounded.” 

 

There were 7 Victoria Crosses awarded during the action, Weir was wounded in action, one of 4 Gunners out of 14 men wounded in action from 14th Battery, 5 men were killed in action, 2 men Died of wounds and 25 men were taken Prisoners of War.

 

In 66th battery, 5 men were killed in action, 1 died of wounds, 8 were wounded and 24 were taken Prisoners of war.

 

He remained in the army after the Boer War, by 1914 he was Battalion Quarter Master Sergeant, unusually with the Meerut Divisional Artillery Column.

He was granted a commission as 2nd Lieut R.A. on 16th June 1916 serving with ‘B’ battery, 261st Brigade.

 

On service in Gaza, in the Coastal Sector on 28th October 0015 hours, he was killed by a gun shot wound to the head, one other rank was wounded with him.

He was later buried in Gaza war cemetery.

 

A superb long serving group with research.