Herman Albrecht

He helped retake the hilltop and fell defending the position

Herman Albrecht was born in the Cape Colony in 1876. He joined the Imperial Light Horse before the outbreak of the South African War and served as a trooper. His early campaigning included Elandslaagte, after which the regiment formed part of the force besieged at Ladysmith.

On 6 January 1900, Boer troops attacked the defensive ridge at Wagon Hill. At a critical point, Albrecht and Lieutenant Robert Digby-Jones of the Royal Engineers led men back onto the crest just as the leading attackers reached it. Digby-Jones shot one of the three foremost opponents and Albrecht shot the other two. Their intervention helped prevent the position being seized at that moment. Both men were killed shortly afterwards while the fighting continued.

Albrecht was buried with other fallen Imperial Light Horse soldiers on the battlefield. The place was later marked by a memorial bearing their names. His gallantry was initially recorded in the form used for men who would have been recommended for the Victoria Cross had they survived. The decoration was subsequently issued posthumously to his family. His Victoria Cross and campaign medal entered the National Museum of Military History collection in Johannesburg.

Official Victoria Cross citation

War Office, April 19, 1901 MEMORANDUM. Lieutenant Robert James Thomas Digby Jones, Royal Engineers, and No. 459, Trooper H. Albrecht, Imperial Light Horse, would have been recommended to His Majesty for the Victoria Cross had they survived, on account of their having during the attack on Waggon Hill (Ladysmith), of 6th January, 1900, displayed conspicuous bravery and gallant conduct in leading the force which re-occupied the top of the hillata critical moment justasthe three foremostattacking Boers reached it, the leader being shot by Lieutenant Jones, and the two others by Trooper Albrecht. (The London Gazette of 19 April 1901, Numb. 27306, p. 2706) War Office, 8th August, 1902. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the Decoration of the Victoria Cross being delivered to the representatives of the undermentioned Officers,Non-commissioned Officers,and men who fell during the recent operations in South Africa in the performance of acts of valour which would, in the opinion of the Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in the Field, have entitled them to be recommended for that distinction had they survived;– Lieutenant R. J.T. Digby Jones, Royal Engineers,andNo. 459Trooper H. Albrecht, Imperial Light Horse. Would have been recommended for the Victoria Cross had they survived, on account of their having during the attack on Waggon Hill (Ladysmith) of 6th January, 1900, displayed conspicuous bravery,and gallant conduct in leading the force which re-occupied the top of the hillata critical moment justas the three foremostattacking Boers reached it, the leader being shot by Lieutenant Jones, and the two others by Trooper Albrecht.

The London Gazette of 8 August 1902, Numb. 27462, p. 5085