Notes
The school website (see References) provides this biography: 'Lionel Chichester was born on 3 July 1873, eldest son of General Hugh Chichester and Georgiana Alice Norton Chichester in Charlton, Kent. He was at Charterhouse 1887-1892, initially in Robinites and then moving to Saunderites. While at the School he was a monitor and a member of the 2nd XI Cricket team. He left Charterhouse to join the publishers, Longmans, Green & Co. and maintained a connection with the School by bringing a team each summer to play against Maniacs. He volunteered to serve in the South African War, first joining the City of London Imperial Volunteers and then transferring to the Imperial Yeomanry as a Lieutenant. He was killed in action at Middleport Farm, Calvinia, South Africa on 9 February 1902, aged 28.
Extracts from letters of condolence were published in the April 1902 edition of The Carthusian magazine:
"Near the farm was a small Kopje, which was held by Chichester, Tabor, and the 11th Imperial Yeomanry, and this Kopje the Boers went for. I went up to Chichester four times in the morning, and although wounded in the neck, he was quite cheerful and confident. I asked him if he had enough men, and he was quite sure he had, and was quite happy about holding the Kopje. I sent him up some biscuits and ammunition. Later I heard heavy firing on Chichester's Kopje and I galloped over to him and sent up every man I could spare to help him. However they were too late, for the Boers rushed the Kopje, killing poor old Chichester, Tabor, and 6 men, and wounding some more."
"I myself have lost in your son a friend whose friendship I hoped to keep all my life, and of whom I shall always think as one of the finest characters I have ever met. The life seems to have left the Squadron with him; he was beloved by the men under him, as much as by his brother officers, and was respected by everyone for the high manly views he took on every subject. He was the man to whom everyone went, if they were in trouble or wanted advice, as well as the one, who was sure to be cheery and full of fun, when everyone else was done up and tired. I do not think any of us fully realize at present what we have lost in him. Besides having all the qualities which make a charming companion, he was a first rate soldier, and I have lost a subaltern, whom I hardly know how to do without. Major Edwards has written to tell you all particulars about his death so I need not enter into them. He was told to hold a ridge to the death, and he carried out his orders, fighting on, though quite out-numbered by the enemy, till he himself was shot."
"Your son's gallant defence of his position did much towards repelling the enemy's attack. He was buried close to Middlepost farm."'