Thomas Rawdin - The Hero of Nitral's Nek

A Bottesford Boer War Soldier

Kate Pugh

A Maxim Gun Emplacement, Boer War
Extract from the St. Mary's Burial Book 1906
The Green (Devon Lane) Bottesford. The Rawdin family lived in the cottage at the further end of the row, number 10 (now number 6)

Thomas Rawdin was born in 1873, the oldest son of Thomas and Sarah Rawdin of The Green, Bottesford. In 1891 he was working as a porter for the GNR, lodging at the Cat & Fiddle, Dale Abbey, Derbyshire. He enlisted with the army and fought in the South African Wars: Sergeant 3999, 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. He became well known for his valiant defence single handed using a Maxim Gun at Nitral’s Nek, Transvaal, for which he was awarded the DCM on the 27th September, 1901, having been Mentioned in Despatches on the 10th of that month. After returning from the war and leaving the army, he went back to railway work with the GNR. In 1904, he married Annie Eliza Boddy in Nottingham. Their son Thomas Cecil Rawdin was born on the 15th April 1905 in Bottesford. Tragically, he was killed when run over by a train in snowy weather at Colwick, Nottingham, on Thursday, 8th February, 1906. He was buried on the 12th February 1906 at Bottesford, aged 33, leaving a wife and two children.

Thomas was the first of six sons of the family to join the army. Five served in the First World War, four becoming sergeants, the other a private.

This page was added on 04/11/2011.

Comments about this page

  • My goodness. The surprises never stop coming! Thomas Rawdin was likely an ancestor of mine albeit a distant one. The Thomas Dent, who was one of the pall bearers was likely my GGrandfather and he was also a railway platelayer. Joseph Dent, b 1808 Bottesford (and nephew to Thomas Dent) – married Ann Rawdin. Ann died very shortly after the birth of their son, Joseph/John and Joseph Dent Snr then married Jane Rudkin. What an incredible article to read. Regards from chilly Australia Barb Hafslund

    By Barb Hafslund (19/05/2012)
  • Wow loved reading this about my great great grandfather and I’m proud to say we have this medal; it was left to me and my brother when my dad died- another Thomas Rawdin.

    By Lucy (05/11/2013)
  • My great great grandfather and we have his medals which were left to my brother and I when my father – another Thomas Rawdin – passed away.

    By Lucy (05/11/2013)
  • Hi Lucy, thanks for getting in touch. We all loved reading about your great great grandfather’s deeds during the Boer War. What a story. It would be really good if you could email us pictures of the medals, or even let us see the medals if you ever pass this way. With best wishes, Neil Fortey

    By Neil Fortey (05/11/2013)
  • My grandfather was Thomas Rawdins brother, Frank Rawdin.

    By Keith. William.Rawdin. (10/04/2014)

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