SYMONS (PENN-SYMONS) – SIR WILLIAM

Note:
THE REV. GERARD CHILTON BAILEY WAS ANGLICAN VICAR OF THE PARISH OF ST. JAMES, IN DUNDEE, DURING THE BOER OCCUPATION FROM 23RD OCTOBER 1899 TO 16TH MAY 1900.  REV. BAILEY KEPT A DIARY RECORD OF THE TIME WHEN THE TOWN WAS OCCUPIED BY THE BOERS.  HIS JOURNAL “SEVEN MONTHS UNDER  BOER RULE” WAS RE-PUBLISHED IN 2015.  THE FOLLOWING IS EXTRACTED FROM HIS JOURNAL.
WRITING ON THE EVENING OF 20TH OCTOBER 1899, HE DESCRIBES SEEING THE WOUNDED THAT CAME IN EARLIER IN THE DAY.  “ONE AND ALL TREATED THEIR WOUNDS IN THE LIGHTEST FASHION.  IT IS NOW THAT WE HEARD THAT THE GENERAL HAD BEEN SERIOUSLY WOUNDED, SHOT IN THE GROIN.  HE AND HIS STAFF WERE EXPOSED TO A TERRIFIC FIRE;  AND CONSIDERING THAT THE BEST BOER MARKSMEN WOULD BE TOLD FOR THEIR BENEFIT, IT IS A MARVEL THAT ANY OF THEM ESCAPED.  AS IT WAS, I BELIEVE, ALL THE STAFF WERE HIT EXCEPT TWO, AND ONE, COLONEL SHERSTON WAS SHOT DEAD”.  LIEUTENANT CRUM’S NOTEBOOK RECORDED THAT THE GENERAL HAD BEEN HIT IN THE STOMACH.
THE REV. BAILEY TELLS FURTHER;  ON MONDAY OCTOBER 23RD THERE WAS ANOTHER CALAMITY IN STORE FOR US. GENERAL PENN-SYMONS DIED IN THE EVENING. HE WAS BURIED THE FOLLOWING MORNING AT 10AM. THE SPOT CHOSEN FOR HIS GRAVE WAS A FEW YARDS EAST OF ST. JAMES CHURCH. THERE WERE OF NECESSITY FEW TO DO HONOUR TO HIS BURIAL.  THERE WERE SOME OF THE ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS, AND AN OFFICER OF THE 60TH KING’S ROYAL RIFLES, AND A FEW TOWNSPEOPLE.