Extract
from The Last Post: Roll of Officers Who Fell in South Africa 1899-1902
by Mildred G Dooner reprinted by Naval & Military Press
Symons.—Major-Gen.
(local Lieut.-Gen.) Sir William Penn Symons, K.C.B., was mortally wounded
Oct. 10th, 1899, at the battle of Talana Hill, and died three days later.
He was the eldest son of the late William Symons, Esq., of Hatt, Cornwall,
was born in July, 1843, and educated privately. Sir W. Penn Symons married
Caroline, only daughter of T. P. Hawkins, Esq., 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 lieut. Oct., 1866,
capt. Feb., 1878, major July, 1881, brevet.-lieut.- col. May, 1886,
brevet.-col. July, 1887. He had his first experience of active service
in South Africa, when, as a capt. 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 D.A.A. and Q.M.G., when he
organised and commanded the M.I.; also as brigadier-general in command
of the Chin Field Force (several times mentioned in despatches, brevets
of lieut.-col. and colonel, medal with two clasps). He also took part
in the Chin-lushai Expedition of 1889-90, in command of the Burmah column
(received the thanks of the Government of India, C.B., 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 the late 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, K.C.B., 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 a.m.,
Sir Penn Symons, accompanied by Col. Dartnell and Majors Hammersley
and Murray, D.A.A.G.s, 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 P. 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 Oct. 23rd, a few hours after the Boers entered Dundee. He
was mentioned in the despatch of Lieut.-Gen. Sir George White, from
Ladysmith, Dec. 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," L.G., Feb. 8th, 1901.
The men of the Durban Light Infantry have erected a memorial over the
grave of Sir Penn Symons at Dundee, and an Institute in his memory has
been built at Umballa, where he was commanding until summoned to Natal
in 1899 to take command of the troops there. (See Lieut.-Col. Gunning).
There
is amonument in St. Paul's Church, Ambala, India - "To the
memory of Major General Sir William Penn Symons K.C.B. who was mortally
wounded when leading on his troops to victory against the Boers at the
battle of Talana Hill on the 20th Oct. 1899. Erected by Officers who
had served under him."
