|
|
|
|
| George Roller, from Tadly, Basingstoke, was the Company Sergeant-Major of the 34th Company IY at its formation in Dec 1899. He had been a sergeant-major in the Middlesex Hussars, the culmination of 20 years service in that Yeomanry unit. He and other ex-Middlesex men were treated with scant respect by the regular soldiers who formed the bulk of the Imperial Yeomanry. But he proved his worth at Senekal where he saved the life of the wounded Trooper Weisberg. He was recommended by General Rundle for the VC but he played it down and failed to pursue the matter so the award never materialised. However, he was offered a commission which was confirmed in July 1900. He and Trooper Thornton captured a Boer at Bethlehem on 22 Sep 1900. He was sent home from Harrismith on 1 Nov 1900 and was on Lord Roberts’s List of recommendations for Meritorious Services, 4 Sep 1901. His military experience was widespread; Australia, Peru and Argentina. |
Armed Forces | Art and Culture | Articles | Biographies | Colonies | Discussion | Glossary | Home | Library | Links | Map Room | Sources and Media | Science and Technology | Search | Student Zone | Timelines | TV & Film | Wargames
