Penn-Symons

Major-General Sir William Penn Symons KCB was born in Saltash, Cornwall in 1843. He joined the 24th Regiment, South Wales Borders in 1863. He became a Lieutenant in 1866, Captain in 1878, Major in 1881 and Colonel in 1887. In 1898 he relinquished his appointment in India to take charge of the forces in Natal. He was mortally wounded at the battle of Dundee on 20th October 1899 and is buried in an English cemetery there. Brigadier-General Yule replaced him as commander.