WIPPELL Walter James

Walter Wippell was born circa 1868 at Alphington, Devon, England, the son of Thomas Wippell (1827-1903) and Elizabeth Wippell (nee Rew 1839-1925). Siblings: Thomas Rew Wippell, 1859; Annie Elizabeth Wippell, 1861; Edith Fanny Wippell, 1863; Bertha Emily Wippell, 1865.

On the 10th December, Major General Clements made a poor choice of camp near Nootigedacht. The Boers outnumbering the British for a change made a three-pronged attack, capturing a dominant mountain to the north and all the outpost kopjes (hills) to the south except one. If the Boers had not blundered into British pickets early the attack would have been a complete surprise wiping out the entire detachment.

Clements made his defense around this single hill and using a single 4.7 “naval gun saved in the attack, turned the Boers away. The Boers were more interested in looting the British camp as they were lacking clothing, boots, tents food, etc. this allowed Clements to escape with half his detachment.

I have not found any mention of where, when or how he died during the battle. As with most battles of this era, officers are often mentioned but most NCOs and Privates statistics are summed up under three words, dead, wounded and captured.

In this action Clement lost 650 officers and men killed, wounded or captured.

Sources: AngloBoerWar.com, My Heritage, Boer War Casualties Catalog, My Heritage, Clarke/Atkinson Family Tree Web site