George Rowley John Evelyn

Born: 12th Aug.1857, London. Education: East Sheen School under Mr Waterfield's head-mastership; Mr Brackenbury's school in Wimbledon; The Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. 1875: obtained a commission in The Royal Surrey Militia. 24th Nov. 1877: gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the 'Buffs' (the 3rd Regiment of Foot). 26th Jan. 1878: left England, joined his regiment in Natal. After Maritzburg, he joined a detail at Mauritius, which was almost immediately recalled back to Natal. Arriving at Durban, he joined Colonel Pearson's column, which was forming on the Lower Tugela and advanced into Zululand. George was present at the battle of Inyezane on 22nd Jan. The following day he marched with his company to Etshowe. He served in its defence until February, when he was overcome with fever and dysentry. He died on 30th March and was buried at Etshowe. A wooden monument was erected over his grave by the men of his company "by whom he was much beloved, and an inscription was cut into it by three officers of the regiment, who, in spite of hard duty, found time during the few remaining days of the siege to show this mark of respect for their late comrade. Second Lieutenant Evelyn was a very promising young officer, and devoted to his profession; fond of all field sports, in which he excelled; a bold rider; a skilful draughtsman. He had endeared himself to all with whom, during his brief life, he had come into contact."

Words on his gravestone at Etschowe: Sacred to the Memory of 2nd Lieut. George R. J. Evelyn "The Buffs" who died at EKOWE 30th March 1879 aged 21.

Source: biography in 'The South African Campaign, 1879' compiled by J. P. Mackinnon and Sidney Shadbolt. 1880.