Lieutenant Robert Egerton Rasbotham, 1st Batt., Durham Light Infantry, was killed in action at Eden Kop, June 22nd, 1901. The second son of Mrs. Ashton Rasbotham, of Ebnal Grange, Malpas, he was born in August, 1878 and educated at Eaton (Mr. Broadbents). He entered the Durham Light Infantry from the 4th Batt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers in October 1899 and was promoted Lieutenant March, 1901. He served throughout the Natal campaign, including Colenso, Vaal Kranz and Pieters Hill and was invalided home after enteric in June, 1900, but returned the following September. Lieutenant Rasbotham was recommended for the Royal Humane Society's medal for endeavouring to save a drowning soldier at Maritzburg. When killed he was serving with the M.I. and after being mortally wounded he directed his men "not to give in". He was mentioned in despatches, L.G. August 21st 1901, also in General Lord Kitchener’s despatch, July 28th, 1901, for "when in command of a patrol which was suddenly fired on at close quarters and mortally wounded, most gallantly continued to encourage his men till he died". He is buried at Vlakfontein.
From 'The Last Post’, Mildred G. Dooner, published 1903.

Acknowledgments: Colin Boyd

He is remembered in Durham on D47.001