Harry's Story.
Private Harry Bassett, of 1st Battalion Durham Light Infantry, died of disease on 27th February 1901. He was 22. He is buried in Kroonstad Old Cemetery, South Africa.
What do we know about Harry?
Henry Bassett was born in the autumn of 1878 at Tipton, Staffordshire. His parents were Henry (1847 - 1890) and Maria nee Barnfield (1847 - 1922), who had married on 12th March 1865 in Dudley. Harry was their fourth child, and brother to Joseph (1866), Absalem, Emily (1874 - 1881), Florence and Bertie (1888 - 1958). By the time Harry was ten, in 1888, the family had moved to Witton, near Northwich, Cheshire, but in November 1890, Harry's father died, aged 43.
On 5th April 1891, Maria was living with her four children at 21 Timber Lane, Witton. (Harry's sister Emily had died in 1881, aged 6.) His two elder brothers were working as "chemical labourers". 12-year-old Harry was at school.
On 30th April 1892, when Harry was thirteen, he gained a stepfather when his mother Maria married John Holmes, but in 1901 she was once again shown on the census as a widow.
Harry, aged 20, joined the Cheshire Militia on 28th December 1898, with a regimental number 5007. His attestation papers describe him as 5' 6" tall, with blue eyes and dark brown hair. Nine months later, on 12th September 1899, he transferred to the 1st Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. His regimental number changed to 6872 (in one army document, this has been written as 6812).
His battalion deployed to South Africa six weeks later, sailing on the Cephalonia on 24th October 1899.
"The Cephalonia left Southampton today at 8 o’clock. She carried 51 officers and 1385 OR’s. 21 officers of 4th Brig. Staff. 29 officers and 882 men of 1/Durham Light Infantry, 3 officers and 28 men of 3rd Company RAMC, 11 officers and 281 men MI, 5 officers and 35 men of 6th Company RAMC, 71 details of the AOC and 66 Reservists RAMC." (London Times, 25 Oct 1899)
The Cephalonia departing Southampton for Cape Town (exact date unknown)
The ship arrived at Cape Town on 18th November, and two days later carried on to Durban.
"The Cephalonia and Pavonia left Cape Town for Durban and the Devonia, with mules, for East London, yesterday." (London Times, 21 Nov 1899)
Along with the 2nd Scottish Rifles, 1st Rifle Brigade, and 3rd King's Royal Rifles, the Durham Light Infantry formed the 4th Brigade under Major General N G Lyttelton. They were part of the Ladysmith relief force and fought at the battle of Colenso (15 Dec 1899), and at Vaal Krantz (5-7 Feb 1900). They took part in the advance north into the Transvaal and afterwards were employed on the Natal - Pretoria Railway, and in column work from the railway line towards the Orange River Colony.
Private Harry Bassett died of disease at No 3 General Hospital, Kroonstad, Orange River Colony on 27th February 1901. He was 22 years old. He is buried at Kroonstad Old Cemetery, and he is commemorated at St Helen's Church in Northwich.
NB He is not to be confused with 34603 Gunner W Bassett, 64th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, who died on 2nd January 1901 at Standerton, in the Transvaal, though Harry's name is recorded as W Bassett on the Durham Light Infantry Boer War memorial outside Durham Cathedral, and on the DLI medals list below, with regimental number 6812.
2.
Compiled by S. Lewington 2025
On 5th April 1891, Maria was living with her four children at 21 Timber Lane, Witton. (Harry's sister Emily had died in 1881, aged 6.) His two elder brothers were working as "chemical labourers". 12-year-old Harry was at school.
On 30th April 1892, when Harry was thirteen, he gained a stepfather when his mother Maria married John Holmes, but in 1901 she was once again shown on the census as a widow.
Harry, aged 20, joined the Cheshire Militia on 28th December 1898, with a regimental number 5007. His attestation papers describe him as 5' 6" tall, with blue eyes and dark brown hair. Nine months later, on 12th September 1899, he transferred to the 1st Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. His regimental number changed to 6872 (in one army document, this has been written as 6812).
His battalion deployed to South Africa six weeks later, sailing on the Cephalonia on 24th October 1899.
"The Cephalonia left Southampton today at 8 o’clock. She carried 51 officers and 1385 OR’s. 21 officers of 4th Brig. Staff. 29 officers and 882 men of 1/Durham Light Infantry, 3 officers and 28 men of 3rd Company RAMC, 11 officers and 281 men MI, 5 officers and 35 men of 6th Company RAMC, 71 details of the AOC and 66 Reservists RAMC." (London Times, 25 Oct 1899)
The Cephalonia departing Southampton for Cape Town (exact date unknown)
The ship arrived at Cape Town on 18th November, and two days later carried on to Durban.
"The Cephalonia and Pavonia left Cape Town for Durban and the Devonia, with mules, for East London, yesterday." (London Times, 21 Nov 1899)
Along with the 2nd Scottish Rifles, 1st Rifle Brigade, and 3rd King's Royal Rifles, the Durham Light Infantry formed the 4th Brigade under Major General N G Lyttelton. They were part of the Ladysmith relief force and fought at the battle of Colenso (15 Dec 1899), and at Vaal Krantz (5-7 Feb 1900). They took part in the advance north into the Transvaal and afterwards were employed on the Natal - Pretoria Railway, and in column work from the railway line towards the Orange River Colony.
Private Harry Bassett died of disease at No 3 General Hospital, Kroonstad, Orange River Colony on 27th February 1901. He was 22 years old. He is buried at Kroonstad Old Cemetery, and he is commemorated at St Helen's Church in Northwich.
NB He is not to be confused with 34603 Gunner W Bassett, 64th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, who died on 2nd January 1901 at Standerton, in the Transvaal, though Harry's name is recorded as W Bassett on the Durham Light Infantry Boer War memorial outside Durham Cathedral, and on the DLI medals list below, with regimental number 6812.
2.
Compiled by S. Lewington 2025