In 1881 living with parents in Hundred House Lane, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
2682.
In 1891 living with parents in Lunbridge Lane, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
2683.
In 1895 he was photographed in Malta while serving with the 2nd Bn the Worcestershire Regiment
2688.
Served with the 2nd Bn the Worcestershire Regiment in South Africa during the Boer War. Pte Wheeler (4383) was wounded in action and captured by the Boers at Slingersfontein on the 12 Feb 1900 and died of his wounds on the 25 Feb 1900. It is not clear whether he was still captive at this time.
“Private Wheeler, who was the son of Mr. Alfred Wheeler, of Stourbridge Road, Bromsgrove, died from a gunshot wound, at Springsfontein, on February 25th. At first it was reported that he was killed in the fighting at Rensburg on February 12th, when the Worcestershire Regiment were heavily engaged. Last Saturday, however, the War Office notified that he was severely wounded and a prisoner in the hands of the Boers. Hopes were then entertained that our Bromsgrovian would pull through, but on Tuesday morning the news of his death was received as stated above. Our portrait is from a photograph taken at Malta.
We hoped to give a portrait of Private A. Lammas, the other Bromsgrove man killed at Rensburg, but the photograph did not reach us in time to permit of an engraving being prepared, and in this case publication is posponed until next week.”
2689“Dear Martin
Your e-mail dated 02/06/2003 refers
“According to this office's database, Private Osbert Wheeler,Worcestershire regiment, Force no. 4383, was captured on the 13th of February 1900 and subsequently died on the 27th February 1900 of wounds.This took place at Slingersfontein. He was buried at Springfontein military cemetery grave no. 757.
All the best.
Ntaba Ngwenya
Project Assistant - Burial Site Unit
Pp T. Kgomommu - Gauteng provincial manager”
2687