Soldier of the Empire.

[grandarog]

This is an article I wrote for our Village Magazine some time ago.Hope it is of interest to you.

                  SOLDIER OF THE EMPIRE FROM UPCHURCH

SOLDIER REST, THY WARFARE O'ER . REST IN SLEEP THAT KNOWS NO WAKING, AWAY NEATH AFRICA'S SHORE .THE LAST REVEILLE WAITING.
       As you made your way around to St Mary’s Burial Ground for the second part of the Remembrance Service on Sunday  you may have noticed the grave to your left with a cross. (Next to the Muggeridge Family Grave.)
       The Grave commemorates this brave chap from Upchurch and his Wife and Infant child.
George Wilson Sellen. Private 2294, Grenadier Guards. 2nd Battalion South Africa Field Division
       George is also remembered on the Guards Memorial at Windsor.
       George was Born at Park Road Sittingbourne ,the son of George and Betty Sellen .Baptised 6 Nov 1870,at Holy Trinity Church ,Sittingbourne.He Married a local Upchurch lass. Edith Agnes Muggeridge on the 27th November 1894.They had a Son Reginald George born 1895, who tragically died at 4 mths.
        George and his compatriots sailed on the 18 March 1900 from Southampton on board the SS Dunera. Bound for South Africa to fight the Boers. The Guards fought many Battles through South Africa, until finally capturing Harrismith in August 1900.
       The climate and disease’s at Harrismith had a devastating effect on our troops. Although some died from wounds, many died from Dysentery or Typhoid.
       George was one of 321 of his fellow soldiers who lost their lives at Harrismith Hospital .
       He died aged 30 on 16 Dec 1900. He along with the others are buried at the Harrismith Town Cemetery. South Africa.
       
       Please give a prayer for George, as he is never mentioned at the Remembrance Service ,when the WW1 and 2 Names are intoned.

Update on page 2.

[Brentor boy]

Is his name included in the local war memorial/ roll of honour?
If not, I think you have a strong case for it to be listed, with his proven local connection.

[grandarog]

A very good South African friend has visited Harrismith and found george's Grave for me. His initial is shown as "J"  as Afrikaans  spelling of George is Jorge.

[grandarog]

From the East Kent Gazette.

[*Sandra*]

Deaths - Sellen - The East Kent Gazette, etc.
Sittingbourne, Kent, England
Sat, 22 Dec 1900 Page 5

https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-east-kent-gazette-etc/140514096/

Sandra

[*Sandra*]

South Africa, Second Boer War British Service Register, 1899-1902

G Sellen - Military Rank   Private
Service Number   2294 - Military Date   1899-1902
Military Country   South Africa
Casualty   Casualty - Memorial   Memorial

Sandra