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During the Boer War Henry Scobell commanded C Squadron of the Greys. He was at the battle of Paardeberg and he led his men in a heroic defence of a hill near Bloemfontein. But most of his squadron was captured in an incident on 10 July 1900. Scobell and others managed to escape capture. However he nearly died at the battle of Zilikat's Nek. After he recovered he was given command of the 1st Regiment of Brabant's Horse on 1 Dec 1900. He was later put in command of a column of cavalry to go up against the Boer Commando led by Commandant Lotter. His mission lasted 6 days, during which he located Lotter's men at a gorge called Groenkloof near Petersburg. They fought a battle on 5 Sep 1901 in which the Boers were defeated. Scobell was promoted to full Colonel in recognition of his having destroyed one of the most effective Boer units in the Cape.
He returned to London in Feb 1902 and was received at Buckingham Palace by King Edward VII. He returned to his regiment, the Scots Greys and commanded them from August 1902 to August 1903. He was promoted to Major General in 1903, and on 7 April 1908 he was appointed Colonel of the 5th Lancers, a regiment he had briefly commanded in South Africa.
1859 Born on 2 Jan |
Regimental Details | Commanding Officers
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