H's Story.
Private H Hague died of disease (probably typhoid) on 17th December 1900 at Springfontein, South Africa. He is remembered on the memorial plaque in St Michael's and All Angels Church, Macclesfield and on the Cheshire Regiment memorial at Chester.
Private Hague was in the 4th Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment. Macclesfield’s connection to the Second Boer War (1899–1902) is tied closely to the 4th (Militia) Battalion (originally raised in Macclesfield as the 2nd Royal Cheshire Militia). The 4th Battalion was embodied on 22nd January 1900, and sent to South Africa the following month to serve in the conflict. They returned home in May 1902 and were disbanded in 1908 under the Haldane Reforms.
Private Hague sailed from Queenstown (Cobh, in County Cork) on the SS Orotava in February, arriving in Cape Town in March.
The London Daily Chronicle, Tuesday, 11th December 1900, reported that on 8th December Private H Hague (regimental number 2710) was seriously ill of disease. His medal card refers to his death nine days later at Springfontein on 17th December 1900.
He is buried in the Springfontein Concentration Camp Memorial and Cemetery, Xhariep District Municipality, Free State, South Africa, one of 299 British casualties. The cemetery is unique in South Africa in having both Boer and British casualties buried side-by-side. There are nearly 700 Boer women and children interrred there.
Private Hague was in the 4th Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment. Macclesfield’s connection to the Second Boer War (1899–1902) is tied closely to the 4th (Militia) Battalion (originally raised in Macclesfield as the 2nd Royal Cheshire Militia). The 4th Battalion was embodied on 22nd January 1900, and sent to South Africa the following month to serve in the conflict. They returned home in May 1902 and were disbanded in 1908 under the Haldane Reforms.
Private Hague sailed from Queenstown (Cobh, in County Cork) on the SS Orotava in February, arriving in Cape Town in March.
The London Daily Chronicle, Tuesday, 11th December 1900, reported that on 8th December Private H Hague (regimental number 2710) was seriously ill of disease. His medal card refers to his death nine days later at Springfontein on 17th December 1900.
He is buried in the Springfontein Concentration Camp Memorial and Cemetery, Xhariep District Municipality, Free State, South Africa, one of 299 British casualties. The cemetery is unique in South Africa in having both Boer and British casualties buried side-by-side. There are nearly 700 Boer women and children interrred there.
Springfontein
Cheshire Regiment memorial at Chester
Boer War memorial plaque in St Michael's and All Angels Church, Macclesfield
Researched by Shena Lewington (October 2026)
Researched by Shena Lewington (October 2026)