Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part II)

The Boer War medal to Captain Ferdinand Casson, Northumberland Fusiliers Mounted Infantry, who was killed whilst going to the aid of a wounded officer of the Irish Rifles at Reddersburg in April 1900

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State (Capt. F. G. Casson, North’d Fus.) virtually as issued £2500-3000

Ferdinand George Casson served in South Africa with the Mounted Infantry and was killed in action at Reddersburg on 3 April 1900, while attempting to bring in a wounded officer of the Irish Rifles. In his History of the Northumberland Fusiliers 1674-1902, H. M. Walker states:

‘Three days later [on 3 April 1900] disaster overtook the Mounted Infantry of the 2nd Fifth. On March 28th Casson was sent with his Company to patrol to the North-East. At Dewetsdorp he joined a detachment of the Irish Rifles (three Companies of Foot and one Company of Mounted Infantry). Captain McWhinnie of the Irish Rifles, as senior officer, took command of the little force. The disaster at Sannah’s Post had taught the Staff a lesson, and orders were sent to Gatacre urging the recall of any detachments. This order reached McWhinnie late on the evening of April 1st, but he had no warning that victorious De Wet was on the hunt. De Wet swept down on Dewetsdorp, and finding that McWhinnie had retreated, he followed the trail, keeping on a parallel course, and waiting his opportunity. Early on the 3rd he was reinforced; then, hurrying his men on, he came up with the English close to Reddersburg. McWhinnie hastily took position on a little horseshoe ridge, his Mounted Infantry on the West and his foot soldiers on the East, with the 2nd Fifth Mounted Infantry on his right.

Up came De Wet with his 2,000 men and three guns, and demanded a surrender. McWhinnie refused; the guns opened fire, while the Boers formed a cordon round. Young Barclay of the 2nd Fifth had been sent out to parley, and on his return he was ordered, with six men, to occupy a little kopje in advance of the eastern flank. This proved untenable; Barclay was instantly killled, and Casson forced to shorten his line. Very shortly afterwards Dimsdale of the Irish Rifles fell; Casson went at once to his assistance, and while helping him to cover was himself killed. This left 2nd Lieutenant Butler in command of the 2nd Fifth Company. In the afternoon the Boer fire slackened and McWhinnie sent off a messenger begging for help; ammunition was running short, they had no water. All night the thirsty, weary men stood to arms; the attack did not come till dawn; then, with gun and rifle fire, the enemy carried the western flank, and McWhinnie surrendered. The relief column heard the last shots fired. Too late to save the detachment they occupied Reddersburg ...’

The son of the Rev. George Casson, of Olde Court, Torquay, Ferdinand George Casson was born in March 1864 and was educated at Marlborough and Oriel College, Oxford. Commissioned into the Northumberland Fusiliers in August 1885, he gained a reputation for being ‘a good rider and polo player’ and was advanced to Captain in October 1894. He is commemorated on the Boer War memorial in Marlborough College Chapel.