Lot Essay
D.C.M. London Gazette 19.4.1901.
Captain J.H. Jeoffreys, D.C.M., was decorated for 'conspicuous gallantry on 15th December 1899 at Colenso, and on January 24th at Spion Kop' (Buller's Despatch of 30.3.1900 refers).
Jeoffrey's detailed account of the climb up Spion Kop and the subsequent fight can be found in W. Baring Pemberton's Battles of The Boer War (pp. 172, 181-2). After the War Jeoffreys founded the South African Irish Regiment in 1914 and reformed it in 1939, as recorded in his obituary in The Star of 5.1.1940, headed 'Death of Capt. J.H. Jeoffreys, Founder of Irish Regiment':
'The death occurred in Johannesburg early this morning of Captain J.H. Jeoffreys, who was responsible for forming the Irish Regiment in the city recently ... Captain Jeoffreys was born in County Cork in 1873 and came to South Africa in 1896, when he was employed on railway construction work for the Orange Free State, as an Assistant Engineer. When, in 1899, war looked inevitable, he and some of his colleagues made for "The Colony". He joined Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry and first saw fighting at Mooi River.
He was Mentioned in Despatches several times [sic] for conspicuous gallantry at Spion Kop and Colenso and, as a Sergeant, received the D.C.M.
Promoted on the Field
At Botha's Pass he saved the colours, was specially thanked by the Earl of Dundonald, and offered a commission. He transferred to the I.L.H. as a Lieut. in 1900. At Kosterfontein he discovered a mine which had been dynamited, and prevented an explosion.
After the war he was appointed Supervisor of Civil Supplies and was transferred to H.M. Customs, in which service he was for 30 years, and held the positions of examining officer and senior inspector of the Union.
Five days after the Great War broke out, on his initiative the Irish Regiment was formed and he was appointed O.C. "C" Company. After serving in German South-West Africa he went to Europe at his own expense and joined the 6th Royal Scots and remained with that regiment until its virtual annihilation in 1915. He then joined the Middlesex Regiment and served in it until the end of the War. He returned to South Africa after a severe gassing and a bad bout of trench fever.
On his return he took a keen interest in social problems and made special efforts to place ex-servicemen in employment ... Captain Jeoffreys will be given a military funeral. Officers of the 1st S.A. Irish Regiment will be the pall bearers, and the I.L.H. the firing squad.'
The existence of the South African Irish Regiment in 1940 was also due to Jeoffreys:
'Capt. Jeoffreys played a leading role in the resucitation of the South African Irish Regiment in 1939. His services in this regard are elucidated in a newspaper report (the title and date of which are regrettably unattainable) headed "Irish Brigade to be formed" which continues:
New Force of 3,000 Men
Rand Gives Lead
Official sanction for the formation of the "1st South African Irish Regiment" has been received from the office of the Adjutant-General, Defence Head Quarters, Pretoria, following representations by Captain J.H. Jeoffreys, D.C.M., of Johannesburg, to General Sir Pierre van Ryneveld that Irishmen and South Africans of Irish descent be encouraged to form a special unit for services anywhere in Africa or overseas, according to the decision of the Union Government...' (Shamrock and Springbok refers).
Captain J.H. Jeoffreys, D.C.M., was decorated for 'conspicuous gallantry on 15th December 1899 at Colenso, and on January 24th at Spion Kop' (Buller's Despatch of 30.3.1900 refers).
Jeoffrey's detailed account of the climb up Spion Kop and the subsequent fight can be found in W. Baring Pemberton's Battles of The Boer War (pp. 172, 181-2). After the War Jeoffreys founded the South African Irish Regiment in 1914 and reformed it in 1939, as recorded in his obituary in The Star of 5.1.1940, headed 'Death of Capt. J.H. Jeoffreys, Founder of Irish Regiment':
'The death occurred in Johannesburg early this morning of Captain J.H. Jeoffreys, who was responsible for forming the Irish Regiment in the city recently ... Captain Jeoffreys was born in County Cork in 1873 and came to South Africa in 1896, when he was employed on railway construction work for the Orange Free State, as an Assistant Engineer. When, in 1899, war looked inevitable, he and some of his colleagues made for "The Colony". He joined Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry and first saw fighting at Mooi River.
He was Mentioned in Despatches several times [sic] for conspicuous gallantry at Spion Kop and Colenso and, as a Sergeant, received the D.C.M.
Promoted on the Field
At Botha's Pass he saved the colours, was specially thanked by the Earl of Dundonald, and offered a commission. He transferred to the I.L.H. as a Lieut. in 1900. At Kosterfontein he discovered a mine which had been dynamited, and prevented an explosion.
After the war he was appointed Supervisor of Civil Supplies and was transferred to H.M. Customs, in which service he was for 30 years, and held the positions of examining officer and senior inspector of the Union.
Five days after the Great War broke out, on his initiative the Irish Regiment was formed and he was appointed O.C. "C" Company. After serving in German South-West Africa he went to Europe at his own expense and joined the 6th Royal Scots and remained with that regiment until its virtual annihilation in 1915. He then joined the Middlesex Regiment and served in it until the end of the War. He returned to South Africa after a severe gassing and a bad bout of trench fever.
On his return he took a keen interest in social problems and made special efforts to place ex-servicemen in employment ... Captain Jeoffreys will be given a military funeral. Officers of the 1st S.A. Irish Regiment will be the pall bearers, and the I.L.H. the firing squad.'
The existence of the South African Irish Regiment in 1940 was also due to Jeoffreys:
'Capt. Jeoffreys played a leading role in the resucitation of the South African Irish Regiment in 1939. His services in this regard are elucidated in a newspaper report (the title and date of which are regrettably unattainable) headed "Irish Brigade to be formed" which continues:
New Force of 3,000 Men
Rand Gives Lead
Official sanction for the formation of the "1st South African Irish Regiment" has been received from the office of the Adjutant-General, Defence Head Quarters, Pretoria, following representations by Captain J.H. Jeoffreys, D.C.M., of Johannesburg, to General Sir Pierre van Ryneveld that Irishmen and South Africans of Irish descent be encouraged to form a special unit for services anywhere in Africa or overseas, according to the decision of the Union Government...' (Shamrock and Springbok refers).