John James Scott Chisholme (1 August 1851 – 21 October 1899) was a British cavalry officer who died heroically leading a charge that turned the Battle of Elandslaagte in the Second Anglo-Boer War.

He served with the 9th Lancers in the Second Anglo-Afghan War of 1878-80, and was present at the capture of Ali Masjid, in the affair at Siah Sung where he was severely wounded.

[1] As Colonel he became the first commander of the Imperial Light Horse formed of 444 men including officers, chosen from among 5,000 volunteers.

Conan Doyle wrote: Chisholm, a fiery little Lancer, was in command, with Karri Davis and Sampson, the two stalwarts who had preferred Pretoria Gaol to the favours of Kruger, as his majors.

Plucky little Chisholm, Colonel of the Imperials, had fallen with two mortal wounds as he dashed forward waving a coloured sash in the air.

[2]Rayne Kruger wrote: For a hundred yards the British fell back in confusion along the hogsback.

Waving a silk scarf the colonel of the I.L.H., wounded in leg and lung, urged on his men until a bullet pierced his brain, his last words being destined to send a throb through the Empire, "My fellows are doing well."

As Hamilton groped his way upwards behind the ILH he could see Colonel Chisholme's red silk scarf leading the race for the summit.