South African Military History Society

Major Charles Herbert Mullins VC, CMG


Photo: Pat Irwin

Location
Gravesite
Grahamstown, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
Old cemetery in Robert Street at the intersection with Anderson Street/Albany Road

GPS 33 deg 18 min 22 sec S,26 deg 32 min 0 sec E

Memorial
Grahamstown, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
The Chapel is on Saint Andrew's College Campus, corner of Worcester and Somerset Streets

GPS: 33 deg 18 min 25.62 sec S, 26 deg 31 min 7.34 sec East

Significance
Major Mullins was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at the battle of Elandslaagte on 21 October 1899.
He was seriously wounded at Maritsane south of the besieged Mafeking in May 1900.

The inscription on his grave reads

In loving memory
of
Charles Herbert
Mullins VC, CMG
Second son of Canon Mullins,
Major Imperial Light Horse
Barrister, Inner Temple
President of the Special Courts of Swaziland & Bechuanaland
Born June 28 1869
Died Empire Day 1916
From wounds received at
Maritsani, May 13 1900
The joy of the Lord is your strength 
                                                    Nem 8:10



Photo: Pat Irwin

He is commemorated in an inscription on the east side of the Albany Anglo-Boer War Memorial in Grahamstown as follows:
Charles Herbert Mullins VC, CMG
Major Imperial Light Horse
Died May 24 1916 from the effects of a wound
Received at Maritsani May 16 1900

(note: the inscription on his grave reads that he was wounded on 13 May 1900)


St Andrew's College Chapel

Major Mullins was an Old Andrean.


Photo: Pat Irwin

The pulpit in the St Andrew's College Chapel was donated in his memory:


Photo: Pat Irwin


Photo: Pat Irwin

A plaque on the pulpit reads
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF 
CHARLES HERBERT MULLINS VC, CMG 
MAJOR IMPERIAL LIGHT HORSE 
WHO AS THE RESULT OF WOUNDS RECEIVED 
AT THE RELIEF OF MAFEKING IN 1900 
DIED ON 24TH MAY 1916 
MEA GLORIA FIDES
(Faith is my glory)


Major Mullins' medals are held by St Andrew's College
Photo: Pat Irwin

The clasps on his Queen's South Africa Medal are
Defence of Ladysmith
Elandslaagte
Relief of Ladysmith

The clasps on his King's South Africa Medal are
South Africa 1901
South Africa 1902

South African Military History Society / scribe@samilitaryhistory.org