A BRITISH HERO.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2594, 14 July 1881, Page 2

A BRITISH HERO.

The following letter was received yesterday by one of the late Mr Gr. B. Hall’s brothers in Timaru. ** Standerton, Transvaal, S Africa, “ Ist May, 1881. “ Dear Sir, —It is my painful duty to convey to you the sad news of a brother’s death. Mr G-eo. Hall, C.E., in colonial emploj 7 , was killed here in action with the Boers on the 29th December last. Your late brother formed one of a troop of Mounted Infantry and Volunteers under my command, enrolled by the Officer Commanding (Major Montague, 94th Regiment), Standerton. On the 29 th Dec. a party, under 30 strong were ordered out on reconnaisance. Mr Hall was my left rear scout, and was the first to find the enemy. Instead of thinking only to secure his own retreat, which he could easily have effected, he gallantly rode for the Troop (away from Home) and gave us such timely warning as enabled us to escape with a comparatively small loss. His noble conduct, although the means of saving his comrades, proved fatal to himself, poor fellow. Ho was one of four shot and

left upon the field. His remains were buried by the enemy where he fell. In the retreat Mr Hall’s horse was shot, but , instead of surrendering ho stood up alone against 300 and fought to the bitter end, falling at last with his his face to the foe, shot through the heart. The place was so closely invested that for 90 days we had no chance of visiting your brother’s grave. When peace was proclaimed it was my first duty to recover his remains and place them carefully and ..tenderly in a coffin. The Commanding Officer ordered a military when Mr Hall’s remains were followed to the grave in consecrated ground by all the troops in garrison, and all the townspeople. Your late brother was beloved and respected by us all. He died nobly a soldier’s death. It may be some comfort to you to know that had he lived he would have been recommended for the Victoria Cross. With warmest sympathy, “ Fours very faithfully, “ Frank Cassell, " C. and T. Staff, “ Commanding Mounted Infantry and Volunteers.”