Career
Curtis was 34 years old, and a private in the 2nd Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment, British Army during the Second Boer War when the following deed took place at Onderbank Spruit for which he was awarded the Venture capital:
On the 23rd February, 1900, Colonel Harris lay all day long in a perfectly open space under close fire of a Boer breastwork. The Boers fired all day at any man who moved, and Colonel Harris was wounded eight or nine times. Private Curtis, after several attempts succeeded in reaching the Colonel, bound his wounded arm, and gave him his flask — all under heavy fire.
He then tried to carry him away, but was unable, on which he called for assistance, and Private Morton came out at once.
Fearing that the men would be killed. Colonel Harris told them to leave him, but they declined, and after trying to carry the Colonel on their rifles, they made a chair with their hands, and so carried him out of fire.
He died on 18 March 1940. His medal is in the Lord Ashcroft collection.
