| Weldon | George Anthony | | Captain | He was killed in action at the battle of Talana Hill, October 2Oth, 1899, while endeavouring to carry a wounded soldier to a place of safety. Captain Weldon was the son of Colonel Thomas Weldon, CIE, and grandson of Sir Anthony Weldon, Bart. His mother, Helen Rachel Louisa, was a daughter of General George William Young Simpson, RA. Captain Weldon was born in February 1866, and educated at Cheltenham College. He entered the Royal Dublin Fusiliers from the Militia in December 1886, and was promoted Captain January 1896. He served in the Burmese Expedition, 1887-89, and received the medal with clasp. On the outbreak of the war he was serving at Maritzburg with his battalion, which was at once pushed on to Dundee. At the battle of Talana Hill, the first action of the war, E Company, commanded by Captain Weldon, was lining the edge of a wood at the side nearest to the enemy, Captain Weldon's servant, Private Crotty, was seen to fall a few yards in advance, and Captain Weldon at once dashed forward to endeavour to carry him under cover, but was killed in the attempt. Thus master and man fell together. Three men of his company, under Corporal Foley, went out early next morning to bury Captain Weldon, but could not find his body. After some further search, they heard his faithful terrier, Rose, howling piteously. She was lying on his body, which she had apparently never left. They buried Captain Weldon in the cemetery at Dundee, just below Talana Hill, and Rose was taken back to E Company. Captain Weldon was the first officer killed in the South African War. He was mentioned in despatches by Lieutenant General Sir George White, December 2nd, 1899, LG, February 8th, 1901. Memorials to Captain Weldon were erected at St James's Church, Dundee, Natal, and at St George's Church, Pietermaritzburg; also at St Mary's Church, Blythe, at Athy, Kildare, and at Naas, the depot of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. On the memorial at Blythe are inscribed the words: "He hath well done, and so made good hys name". Captain Weldon's name was also recorded on the Eleanor Cross War Memorial at Cheltenham College.
Source: Donner | Royal Dublin Fusiliers |
