Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal - Friday 19 April 1901 (page 6) reported: 'THE LATE LIEUT. R. J. JELF. R.E. A beautiful memorial tablet to the above-named lamented officer, has just been placed in Ashbourn Church. It is composed of fine marble enriched by mosaic work and bears the arms of Eton College, and the emblem and motto of the Royal Engineers, with the following inscription: “In loving memory of Richard John Jelf, Lieutenant, Royal Engineers, who, after giving of his best for Queen and country, died at sea, when returning home invalided from the campaign in South Africa, on 2nd June, 1900, in the 29th year of his age. My peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. In connection with the erection of the memorial, the following extracts from General Buller's despatches, published in the “London Gazette," will be read with pathetic interest: “The Convent, Ladysmith, March 30th, 1900. "Lieut. R. J. Jelf, Royal Engineers, has been indefatigable, in charge of the field telegraph, and has constantly had to work day and night. No difficulty was too great for him. Redvers Buller, General. S.S. Dunvegan Castle, 9th Nov. 1900. “There may be others whom I should mention, as Major Hawkins has been too busy to render me a full report, but I cannot omit a reference to the late Lieut. R. J. Jelf, R.E., a young officer of singular talent and promise. He lost his life from devotion to his duties. Redvers Buller, General." https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001084/19010419/127/0006

Ashbourne News Telegraph - Friday 15 June 1900 (page 5) reported: 'DEATH OF LIEUT. R. J. JELF. Our readers will learn with sincere regret of the untimely and sad death of Lieut. Richard J. Jelf, eldest son of Colonel Jelf, which took place on the 2nd inst whilst on his way home invalided from South Africa. Another son, Lieut Rudolf Jelf, 60th Rifles, was shut up with his regiment in Ladysmith during the siege, and, as stated in our issue last week, has been invalided home. The latter kept remarkably well during the whole of the time the town was surrounded by the Boers, and played a conspicuous part in its defence during the determined attack on the 6th of January, but was prostrated with enteric fever soon afterwards. Lleut R. J. Jelf was with the relieving force under General Buller, and rendered devoted and effective assistance during the various attempts which were made before success crowned their efforts. He was in sole charge of the field telegraph all through that trying period - a most responsible position, and no doubt the wear and tear, both physical and mental during the efforts which preceded the raising of the siege told heavily upon the plucky young officer who held to and most efficiently performed his duties to the last, and had the joy of meeting his brother safe and well when the relief was accomplished. But the strain was too much for him, and his constitution gave way under the arduous duties which he performed so nobly and so well. Death has most untimely closed the career of a brilliant and most promising young officer, and very sincere sympathy will be felt with his sorrowing parents who were anticipating the pleasure of meeting him at Southampton on the 20th inst, and of welcoming him home and nursing him back to health after the conspicuous services which he has rendered to his Queen and country. He was born on Jan. 4th, 1872, was educated at Eton and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, and entered the Royal Engineers as second lieutenant on Feb. 12th, 1892, receiving his lieutenant's commission exactly three years later. He married a daughter of Sir Richard Harrison, Inspector-General of Fortifications, only a month before he responded to the call of duty and sailed for South Africa, and stayed at Offcote Hurst during the honeymoon. A third son of Colonel Jelf is at the front, Wilfred Jelf, of the Royal Field Artillery, and is believed to be with Lord Roberts'. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003305/19000615/055/0005

Daily Express - Tuesday 19 June 1900 (page 5) reported: TRAGEDY ON A TRANSPORT. The Dilwara, which landed 200 sick and ‘wounded soldiers from South Africa at Plymouth yesterday, brought details of the suicide of Lieutenant R. J. Jelf, of the Royal Engineers. Mr. Jelf had contracted dysentery, followed by enteric, in South Africa, and was ordered home, and sailed in the Dilwara. When several days out he showed signs of despondency, and on June 2 he shot himself on the promenade deck with a revolver. The dead officer was the eldest son of Colonel R H. Jelf, C.M.G., commanding the Royal Engineers of the Eastern District. He was twenty-eight years of age'. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004848/19000619/125/0005

Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal - Friday 17 July 1914 (page 6) reported: 'A memorial to the late Colonel R. H. Jelf in the form of a beautiful marble tablet has recently been placed in Ashbourne Parish Church, and occupies a position below one in memory of his son, Lieut. Richard John Jelf, R. E. (who died at sea while returning from the South African war in 1900. The tablet bears the inscription: Richard Henry Jelf, C.M.G., D.L., J.P., Colonel late Royal Engineers, some time Governor of the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, churchwarden of this church. Born 2nd. February, 1864; died 26th April, 1913. “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." [This inscription was subsequently extended, following the death of the Colonel's wife, Margaret, in 1921] https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001084/19140717/123/0006

Historic England's details re Grade I Listing of the Church on 15/6/1951; https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1207715?section=official-list-entry

https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/256408/