Lt Raphael F M

Lieutenant Frederick Melchoir Raphael 1st Battalion South Lancashire Regt.
Born April 1870, Killed in action at Spion Kop 24th January 1900. Aged 29.

Frederick Melchior Raphael was born in London the second son of George Charles Raphael, Esq. of 37 Portland Place, London, W and Castle Hill, Englefield Green, Surrey
He was educated at Wellington College from Summer 1883 to 1885.
Joining the 5th Bn, Rifle Brigade (Militia Battalion) in 1889,
he passed into the regular army in 1891, being assigned to the First Battalion South Lancashire Regiment.
He was gazetted First Lieutenant in that regiment in 1893, and in 1898 reached the rank of Captain.
He had qualified in signaling and in military topography, and had also acted as instructor in musketry and as Adjutant to his regiment.

At the outset of the conflict between the English and Boer governments, Raphael was ordered with his regiment to South Africa (Nov., 1899). He was senior subaltern in his battalion and acting Captain in charge of 130 men and a machine gun; he was killed in Warren's engagement with the Boers at Spion Kop
Frederick Raphael - was the only British Officer of Jewish parentage killed in the Boer War

On the summit of Spion Kop, near Ladysmith, is a simple monument to two officers and ten other ranks of 1st Battalion The South Lancashire Regiment who died in that battle on 24th January 1900. The family of Lieutenant Frederick Raphael, donated as a memorial the painting of the Battle of Pieter's Hill which hangs in the Officers' Mess of 1st Battalion The Queen's Lancashire Regiment.

George Charles RAPHAEL Banquier [Parents] was born on 19 Nov 1836. He died in 1906. He married Charlotte Hanna MELCHIOR in Hambourg, Allemagne
Charlotte Hanna MELCHIOR [Parents] was born on 03 Mar 1841. She died in 1905. She married George Charles RAPHAEL Banquier in Hambourg, Allemagne

They had the following children:
Gertrude Emilie RAPHAEL was born in 1864. She died in 1949.
William George RAPHAEL was born in 1865. He died in 1912.
Clara R. RAPHAEL was born in 1866. She died in 1946.
Elinor (Ella) RAPHAEL was born in 1868. She died in 1951.
Frederick Melchior RAPHAEL was born in 1870. He died in 1900.
Marie Charlotte RAPHAEL was born in 1871. She died in 1935.
Richard Henry RAPHAEL was born in 1872. He died in 1910.
Oscar Charles RAPHAEL was born in 1874. He died in 1941.
Emilia Margaret (Amy) RAPHAEL was born in 1877. She died in 1942.
Percy Maurice RAPHAEL was born in 1878. He died in 1879.
Ethel Maud RAPHAEL was born in 1882. She died in 1945.


1891 census 29 Portland Place, Marylebone
George C Raphael Head 54 M Foreign Banker London City
William son 25 Foreign Banker Hamburg British subject
Frederick M son 20 Scholar Paddington
Richard H son 18 Brighton Sussex
Oscar O son 17 Paddington
Ethel M dau 9 Marylebone

1881 Census 37 Portland Place, Marylebone
George Head 44 Merchant foreign Banker
Charlotte H 37 wife Germany British Subject
4 girls all born Paddington
Richard
Oscar
Adolphire Blum Nursery Governess born Germany

On 27th January 1900 Col. MacCarthy O'Leary wrote from Springfield to Frederick Raphael's father

" The Captain of your son's company was shot during the first assault - your son then bravely took command - and some two hours later was himself instantly killed by shell fire in the head He had been encouraging his men all morning by word and example and is reported to have shot five of the enemy dead before his own noble death
Your dear son all of him that is mortal lies decently and reverently buried on that ill fated ridge surrounded by comrades and friends
All your late son's brother officers ask me to tell you of their grief and of their sense of loss and sorrow I loved your dear son whose loyalty and noble qualities I shall never forget and I shall be proud always to know that I commanded the services of such a gallant soldier and such a generous and singleminded gentleman "