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COMMANDER // 1843–1899

Sir William Symons

major generalUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland1 battle1 war

Lifespan

18431899

18501860187018801890Second Boer War · 1899-1902Battle of Talana Hill — October 20, 1899 · United Kingdom · Second Boer War

Active service 18991 battle across 1 war; first command at age 56.

Profile

Lieutenant-General Sir William Penn Symons KCB was a British Army officer who was mortally wounded as he commanded his forces at the Battle of Talana Hill during the Second Boer War. While his forces won the battle, they had to abandon their position and fall back to Ladysmith. Symons and the more severely wounded were left to the Boers; he died three days later. A monument to his valour was raised in Victoria Park, Saltash, Cornwall, UK.

Source · Wikipedia · Q1494843

Battles (1)

Last verified June 2026
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