HMS Doris Memorial - men commemorated

THE HMS DORIS MEMORIAL - DETAILS OF THE MEN COMMEMORATED

HMS Doris Memorial in 2011

It was not possible to take a photograph at any other angle at the time

due to the amount of construction work taking place

MEN NAMED ON THE LEFT-HAND PLAQUE

J.H.PLUMBE

Major John Hulke Plumbe of the Royal Marine Light Infantry. Son of Samuel and Louisa Plumbe; husband of Florence Plumbe (née Hodgson). Born in Cookham, Berkshire in 1858. Shot through the heart at the battle of Graspan 25 November 1899 aged 41. Legend says that a little dog who had been adopted by him disregarded the battle and sat by his body until the medical unit arrived. His personal servant, Private Francis Doran died of the wounds he received on the same occasion (see below).

C. A. E. HODDART

Midshipman Cymberline Alonso Edric Huddart of the Royal Navy, HMS Doris. Son of James and Lois Huddart ( his father was a shipping magnate). Born in Ballarat, Australia in 1881. Killed at Graspan 25 November 1899 aged 18 .

He was posthumously awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross.

From the Adelaide Advertiser

4 July 1901

THE CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS

A BRAVE AUSTRALIAN

MIDSHIPMAN CYMBELINE HUDDART

HONORING HIS MEMORY

His Majesty the King has been pleased to announce that the newly-founded decoration of the Conspicuous Service Cross shall be conferred upon the late Midshipman Cymbeline Alonso Edric Huddart. The cross is given for zeal and bravery to Warrant and other minor officers of the Royal Navy and Midshipman Huddart's memory has been honoured in this special way.

Midshipman Huddart was an Australian native who was a midshipman on the Doris, flagship of the Cape of Good Hope and West African Squadron and was attached to the Naval Brigade under Lord Methuen in the early stages of the war. He was killed at the battle of Graspan on 25 November 1899 on which occasion the Brigade suffered fearful losses. Mr Huddart showed most conspicuous gallantry in the fight as a result of which Queen Victoria wrote personally to his father, James Huddart of the Australian Steamship Line of Huddart, Parker and Co, to express her sympathy; in her letter, she referred to that gentleman's son as one of the bravest and most distinguished officers in the Royal Navy.

Although twice wounded. Midshipman Huddart courageously continued to lead his men forward, until he received a third wound and fell..

S. ROBERTSON

Midshipman Struan Robertson of the Royal Navy, HMS Doris. Died 31 December 1900 on board HMS Doris.

J. MENZIES

Midshipman James Menzies of the Royal Navy, HMS Doris. Son of Hugh James Menzies of 87 King Henry's Road, London NW. Born in May 1882. Trained on HMS Conway. Appointed to serve on HMS Doris in 1899. Died 18 May 1900 aged 17 of enteric at Bloemfontein (The official land address of HMS Doris at this time.) he featured in a naval action at Modder River on14 December 1899 when, using a naval searchlight, he managed to communicate with the town of Kimberley, then under siege.

L. LLOYD

Midshipman Lionel George Rodney Lloyd of the Royal Navy, HMS Doris. Born in Portsea in the June Quarter of 1881. Joined the Navy in 1897. Promoted to Midshipman in July of the same year. Died of enteric 28 August 1900 aged 19.

J.BOYLE

PLY/ 8034 Private John Boyle of the Royal Marines Light Infantry. Born in the March Quarter of 1878. Enlisted 8 July 1896. Killed at Graspan 25 November 1899 aged 21.

F. DORAN

PLY/ 6820 Private Francis D. Doran of the Royal Marines Light Infantry. Died at Simon's Town 28 November 1899 of wounds received at Graspan 25 November 1899. He was personal servant to Major Plumbe (see above.)

THE CENTRAL PLAQUE READS:

THIS GUN, CAPTURED FROM THE BOERS

HAS BEEN ERECTED HERE BY THE

OFFICERS AND MEN OF HMS DORIS

IN MEMORY OF THEIR SHIPMATES WHO

LOST THEIR LIVES IN THIS CAMPAIGN

MEN NAMED ON THE RIGHT-HAND PLAQUE
F. COLEMAN	189968 Able Seaman Francis Coleman of the Royal Navy, HMS Doris. Born in Glasgow 3 January 1881. Died of disease 19 March 1900 at Bloemfontein (official land address for HMS Doris at the time).
M.WISE	152069 Able Seaman Mathew William Wise of the Royal Navy, HMS Doris. Son of Isaac and Sarah Wise. Born in Hornsea, East Yorkshire 18 October 1874. Died of disease 4 July 1900 aged 26 at Bloemfontein (official land address for HMS Doris at the time).
A. EDWARDS	138 Acting Bombardier Albert G. Edwards of the Royal Marine Artillery.Died of disease 26 September 1900 at Bloemfontein (official land address for HMS Doris at the time).
J. E. HOOK	190966 Ordinary Seaman John Edward Hook of the Royal Navy, HMS Doris. Believed to have been born in West Teignmouth 29 May 1881. Died of disease 10 May 1900 aged 19 at Bloemfontein (official land address for HMS Doris at the time).
W. LOCKETT	172988 Stoker William Lockett of the Royal Navy, HMS Doris. Born in Manchester 26 October 1877. Died of disease 25 April 1900 aged 23 at Bloemfontein (official land address for HMS Doris at the time).
W.J.PHILLIPS	156715 2nd Class Sick Bay Steward William James Thomas Phillips of the Royal Navy, HMS Doris. Born in London 23 November 1873. Died of enteric 19 March 1900 aged 27 at Bloemfontein (official land address for HMS Doris at the time).
L.WELLS	357083 2nd Class Domestic Lewis Wells of the Royal Navy, HMS Doris. Born 21 June 1880 in Long Berrington, Lincs. Died of disease 23 April 1900 aged 20 at Bloemfontein (official land address for HMS Doris at the time). He was the domestic servant of the Flag officer, Captain Reginald Prothero who was in command of the Naval Battalion at Graspan but was killed on 25 November 1899.