Buchan.—Lieut.-Col. L. Buchan. This officer served with distinction with the Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry.
Buchanan-Riddell.—Lieut.-Col. R. G. Buchanan-Riddell, 3rd Batt. King’s Royal Rifle Corps. For particulars see vol. iii. p. 111.
Buller.—General Sir Redvers Henry Buller, V.C., P.C., G.C.B., K.C.M.G. Commander-in-Chief of Forces, Natal. Entered 1858; Colonel, 1879; General, 1896. Staff Service—D.A.A.G., Ashanti Expedition, 1873-74; D.A.A.G., Headquarters of Army, 1874-78; Special Service, Cape of Good Hope, 1878-79; A.D.C. to the Queen, 1879-84; A.A. and Q.M.G., North Britain; Aldershot, 1880-81; D.A. and Q.M.G., South Africa, 1881; Brigadier-General, South Africa, 1881; D.A. and Q.M.G., Intelligence Department, Expeditionary Force, Egypt, 1882; A.A.G., Headquarters of Army, 1883-84; Major-General (Chief of Staff), Egypt, 1884-85; D.A.G. to the Forces, Headquarters of Army, 1885-86; Special Service, 1886-87; Q.M.G. to the Forces, Headquarters of Army, 1887-90; Adjutant-General to the Forces, Headquarters of Army, 1890-97; Lieutenant-General commanding troops, Aldershot, 1898-99; General Commanding-in-Chief, South Africa, October 1899 to January 1900; General Officer Commanding Natal, January 1900. War Service—China War, 1860 (medal with clasp); Red River Expedition, 1870; Ashanti, 1873-74; wounded (Despatches, November 1873, March 1874; medal with clasp; Brevet of Major; C.B.); South African War, 1878-79 (thanked in General Orders; Despatches, 11th, 18th June 1878; 5th, 15th, 28th March; 7th May, 21st August 1879; medal with clasp; Brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel; A.D.C. to Queen; V.C., C.M.G.); Egyptian Campaign, 1882-84 (Despatches; medal with clasp; bronze star, 3rd class Osmanieh; K.C.M.G.); Soudan, 1884 (Despatches, March, April, May, 1884; 2 clasps; promoted Major-General for distinguished service); Soudan, 1884-85 (Despatches, March, August, 1885; clasp; K.C.B.); South African War, 1899-1900. Sir Redvers Buller, born in 1839, is the son of the late Mr. J. W. Buller and the daughter of the late Lord H. M. Howard. He married in 1882 the daughter of the 4th Marquis Townshend and widow of the Hon. G. T. Howard. The General’s character has been much discussed, and it is universally allowed that for pluck, obstinacy, and bluntness he cannot find his match. The deeds that won him the Victoria Cross are now world-famous (see vol. i. p. 60), but the public is less acquainted with the story of his gallantry at El-Teb, and the way he saved the situation at the desperate little battle of Tamai. Of this Mr. Charles Lowe, in his interesting book of “Our Greatest Living Soldiers,” says: “Buller’s square, composed of the ‘Gay Gordons,’ the Royal Irish, and the 60th Rifles, amongst the ranks of whom he had first won his spurs, had been assailed in the same furious manner as that of Davis, but had blown away all opposition to its advance, about five hundred yards on the right rear of its fellow-brigade, to whose support it now moved up, steady and machine-like, as if on parade. Encouraged by the splendid steadfastness of Buller’s embattled men, Davis’s disrupted square was quick to rally, and then the two brigades began to rain such an infernal fire of bullets on their savage foe that the latter were forced to break, and the day was won.” Of his obstinacy an amusing anecdote is told. While he and Lord Charles Beresford were serving together in Egypt, an argument arose as to the direction to be taken by the river steamer. Each doggedly defended his own opinion, but finally, on gaining the day, Sir Redvers triumphed. “I was right after all!” he cried, when his programme had been fulfilled. “And so was I,” replied Lord Charles. “I merely recommended the other because I knew you would go against anything I said!”
Bullock.—Lieut.-Col. G. M. Bullock, 2nd Batt. Devonshire Regt. Entered 1872; Lieut.-Col., 1897. Staff Service—Brig. Maj. S.E. Dist., 1882-87; Station Staff Off., 1st class, Bengal, 1889-91; D.A.A.G., Bengal, 1891-94. War Service—S. African War, 1899-1900; with Ladysmith Relief Force; Action at Colenso (Despatches); wounded.
Burdett-Coutts.—W. Ashmead Bartlett Burdett-Coutts, J.P., M.P. This gentleman, whose dissatisfaction with the hospital arrangements in South Africa caused considerable stir in the country, acted as Correspondent of the Times. Mr. Burdett-Coutts, born in America in 1851, is mainly notable in consequence of his marriage with the Baroness Burdett-Coutts, one of the most benevolent and esteemed ladies of the Victorian Era.
Burger.—Schalk Burger, the reported “Acting President” of the Transvaal, vice Mr. Kruger, was born at Lydenburg in the year in which the Sand River Convention was signed. His grandfather, one of the original Voortrekkers, had the distinction of having the price of £300 set on his head by the British Government, in consequence of his share in a Natal rebellion. His grandson is more of a politician than a soldier. Enlightened and shrewd, but—progressive though he was inclined to be—he could never have rivalled Mr. Kruger in his influence over his countrymen.
Burnham.—F. R. Burnham. This marvellous Canadian scout and tracker was invited by Lord Roberts to join his Staff. He was formerly a cow-boy, and has had unlimited experience of warfare. His hairbreadth ’scapes would form the nucleus of a library of adventure. His services have been invaluable.
Burn-Murdoch.—Brigadier-General J. F. Burn-Murdoch, J.P. Entered 1878; Brevet-Colonel, 1st Dragoons, 1898. Staff Service—Brigade-Major of Cavalry, 1890-91; Brigade-Major Cavalry Brigade, Aldershot, 1891-94; employed with Egyptian Army, 1894-95; Brigadier-General Cavalry Brigade, South Africa, February 1900. War Service—Soudan Expedition, 1884-85 (medal with clasps; bronze star); Expedition to Dongola, 1896 (Despatches, Brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel, Egyptian Medal with 2 clasps); South African War, 1899-1900; on Staff. Colonel Burn-Murdoch, born 1859, is the son of the Rev. Canon Burn-Murdoch.
Buston.—Lieut.-Col. P. T. Buston, R.E. Entered 1872; Lieut.-Col., 1899. War Service—Afghan War, 1878-79-80 (Despatches; medal with 2 clasps); Hazara Ex., 1888 (Despatches; medal with clasp; Brev. of Maj.); Hazara Ex., 1891 (Despatches; clasp); S. African War, 1899-1900.
Butcher.—Lieut.-Col. G. J. Butcher, Army Ordnance Dept. Entered 1880; Lieut.-Col., 1900. Staff Service—Dep.-Assist. Com. Gen. Ord. Store Dept., 1885-95; Assist. Com. Gen. Ord. Store Dept., 1895-96; Ord. Off., 3rd class, 1896-1900; Ord. Off., 2nd class, April 1900. War Service—S. African War, 1899-1900.