Dundee Involvement in the South African War (1899-1902)


The Earl of Airlie – Killed in Action 11th June 1900 (South African War).

The Earl of Airlie – Killed in Action 11th June 1900 (South African War).

Article from the Dundee Year book of 1900

Dundee District was deeply stirred by the news that the Earl of Airlie had been killed in action in South Africa on the 11th June 1900. A short time before the alarm had been felt when it was known that he had been wounded, but from his hurt he quickly recovered, only to meet his death in the field. The mournful intelligence created a painful impression throughout the home are where he was known and beloved.

For something like 400 years the Ogilvy’s of Airlie have been associated with Dundee District. The late Earl’s father was on 2nd September 1875 made a Burgess of the city in respect of his eminent position and public services, and in testimony of the Council’s appreciation of the cordial and equitable manner in which he granted a supply of water from Linlathen to the town of Dundee. He took an interest in the formation of cattle ranches in North America, and while visiting Denver Colorado, in September 1881 was seized with sickness and died, being in his 56th year. David Stanley William Drummond Ogilvy, the gallant soldier who has met his fate, was born in 1856, and was the 9th Earl. In 1886 he married Lady Mabell Francis Elizabeth Gore, daughter of the fifth Earl of Arran. Of the marriage there were born David Lyulph Gore Wolsely Ogilvy, known as Lord Ogilvy, who is now seven years of age; and Kitty, Ellen, and Mabell.

The Earl of Airlie joined the army in 1874, when he obtained a commission in the 1st Regiment of Foot (the Royal Scots). In the following year he was transferred to the Scotch Fusilier Guards, and on the 3rd May 1878 he became connected with the cavalry service, and he joined the 10th Hussars as Lieutenant. In 1883 he became adjutant of that distinguished regiment, an office which he filled with acceptance to the authorities and with credit to the corps till September 1884. In that year he obtained his troop, and on the 15th June 1885 for services in the field, he was gazetted Brevet-Major. Seven years later he obtained his majority in the regiment (on 3rd August 1892) In December 1897 he exchanged from the 10th Hussars to the 12th Lancers, of which regiment he was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel, a command which he filled till his death. Such is the matter of fact chronicle of his arm appointments. For so comparatively youthful a soldier he saw a surprising amount of fighting in wildly different parts of the world. He went through the Afghan campaign of 1878-79, he was wounded, and for which he received the medal with clasp. Next he fought in the Egyptian campaign, and received the medal and the fourth class Medjideih. He was present at the battles of Abu Klea and El Gubat, and was wounded at both. For his services he was twice mentioned in despatches, and received the brevet rank of Major. Thus, with the hurt which he sustained after leaving Bloemfontein shortly before his death, he had been four times wounded – surely a good record for a soldier of his years.

The Earl of Airlie’s connection with Dundee was close and wrm. He was Honorary Colonel of the 3rd Volunteer Battalion Royal Highlanders (Black Watch), and took a practical interest in the affairs of the regiment. His last gift to it was a handsome silver bowl; and there may be mentioned that by Colonel Smith, the officers and men of the regiment his death was deeply deplored. Colonel Smith forwarded a telegram of sympathy to Lady Airlie in South Africa, a thoughtful and timely action which was much appreciated. When early in 1900 ex-Provost Moncur and the Committee of the Sanatorium for Consumptives were searching for a suitable site his Lordship was communicated with, and, from the front, sent back a ready and kindly message that the necessary ground was at the disposal of the Committee at Auchterhouse, and practically free of charge. Probably the last occasion on which he appeared publicly in the city was in October 1896 when he opened the Dundee High School bazaar in the Drill Hall, and he then testified that his relations with the city not formal ones.

In the wider are of Forfarshire, of which county he was Deputy-Lieutenant, he was a welcome figure, and more particularly round his beautiful home at Cortachy Castle. As a landlord he was looked upon as considerate and generous, and his association with his tenants were of the friendliest kind. Many pleasant instances of his readiness to be agreeable to one and all could be cited. Cortachy grounds were accessible to rich or poor. For some years past he arranged military sports within the castle grounds, and thus afforded entertainment to the country side. He had, as is known, a passion for all manly exercises and sports, and was himself a splendid athlete. He was not slow, but rather delighted, to exhibit his powers, and probably never encountered his match in boxing. It has been told that on one occasion he offered to box any one for a farm, and, indeed this could well be believed. He was every inch a nobleman, bearing himself with the dignity which belonged to an old and honoured house, but all classes recognised that he had still higher claims to respect than those belonging to the wearer of a coronet. Certainly not in this District, and probably nowhere in Britain, existed a scion of nobility more popularly loved than he. His comparative youth, his frankness, which was never unbecoming, his soldierly spirit, thoughtfulness, and that atmosphere of pleasantness that went with him, seemed to mark him out as a deserving object of intelligent hero-worship. No number of mere biographical details would appear to do justice to him at this time. A biographer feels more disposed to attempt an exposition of the dead soldier’s unique and agreeable personality, to catch, as it were, in print the fine lines of the dashing cavalryman’s figure, the alert and kindly sparkle of his eyes, the quick commanding, yet no ungentle, tone of voice and the soldierly features. These, alas, are now only memories.

transcribed from the Year Book by Iain D. McIntosh, Friends of Dundee City Archives

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