_THE RETURN TO INDIA—WELCOME HOME—HONOURS
AND ORATIONS—DISBANDMENT_
On arrival at Cape Town, Colonel Lumsden was told that the accounts of
his corps were the only pay-sheets of any Irregular contingent that had
been kept up to date; and the men of Lumsden’s Horse left South Africa
not only in possession of every shilling of pay then due to them, but
just as they had left India ten months earlier, owing not a debt in the
country, though the country owed them much in the form of obligations
that can never be forgotten except by the men, who, conscious of duty
nobly done, need no other reward. They were leaving South Africa assured
by every testimony that high approval could give that they had done
their duty and done it well. They had with other soldiers taken their
full share of great hardships. The weariness of long marches, the trying
ordeals of exposure to fierce heat by day and bitter cold at night,
sometimes drenched to the skin when they lay down to rest on the bare
veldt with no tent to shelter them and not always a blanket to cover
them, at other times benumbed by the icy coldness of a wind that
stiffened their wet khaki tunics with frost which the sluggish blood had
not warmth enough to thaw—all these things they had borne with a manly
fortitude that won the respect of war-hardened veterans; and they were
going back with the knowledge that the Commander-in-Chief of such an
army as Great Britain had never sent to war before in all the long
course of her Empire-making history, had signified his approval of their
conduct in that telegram to the Viceroy of India expressing recognition
of the excellent service rendered by officers, non-commissioned
officers, and men, of whom he said: ‘It has been a pride and a pleasure
to me to have under my command a Volunteer contingent which has so well
upheld the honour of the Indian Empire.’
With these words assuring them of a great soldier’s appreciation, they
were going back to the certainty of an enthusiastic welcome from the
people of India, to whose honour all the good deeds of Lumsden’s Horse
redound. Of the warmth of that welcome His Excellency the Viceroy had
given them a foretaste when, in his reply to the message received from
Lord Roberts, he sent back by cable the inspiriting words: ‘India will
welcome those who are coming back with enthusiasm and wish God-speed to
those who stay.’
It was with knowledge of the deep interest taken by Lord Curzon in all
things concerning Lumsden’s Horse that the Commander-in-Chief
telegraphed to him something more than a formal recognition of their
services. It was with characteristic intuition and tact that the Viceroy
replied, giving voice to the wishes of a whole people and expressing
those wishes in the choicest of phrases. In this telegram Lord Curzon
epitomised the meaning of all that he had said or done for the welfare
of Lumsden’s Horse since the corps was formed nearly a year earlier, and
his desire that its services should be recognised both officially and
publicly as a bond between India and the Mother Country—an epoch-making
event in which all classes of the Empire might equally take pride. All
this and more His Excellency continued to demonstrate by the share he
took in welcoming the warriors home, when his eloquent words appealed
alike to the quick sympathies and to the intelligence of those who heard
him speak, or read what he had to say. And long after the flood of
popular enthusiasm had reached its height he continued to manifest his
interest in the corps by practical efforts to benefit its surviving
members, and by a most graceful tribute to the memory of those whose
lives had been sacrificed for the honour of the Empire. At his own cost,
Lord Curzon erected a tablet in St. Paul’s Cathedral, Calcutta, on which
was inscribed the name of every man of the corps who had died in South
Africa, and himself wrote the touching lines that will through
after-ages commemorate the services they rendered. Throughout, Lord
Curzon’s great aim was to foster and encourage the spirit of
volunteering, the importance of which to a world-wide Empire nobody
realises more fully than he. As a proof of his conviction in this
regard, he has succeeded in getting an Inspector-General of Volunteers
appointed on the Staff in India, and the first holder of this office is
Major-General Hill, of the Bombay Staff Corps.
[Illustration: SERGT. STOWELL]
[Illustration: SERGT. DONALD]
[Illustration: SERGT. RUTHERFOORD]
[Illustration: L.-CORPL. GODDEN]
[Illustration: SERGT. H.J. FOX]
[Illustration: S.C. GORDON]
[Illustration: E.A. THELWALL]
[Illustration: F.-SERGT. EDWARDS]
[Illustration: A.P. COURTENAY]
HOME FROM SOUTH AFRICA—N.C.O.S AND TROOPERS
Directly it was known through the telegram sent by Lord Roberts from
Irene that Lumsden’s Horse were actually on their way home, a committee
met at the Chamber of Commerce and elected Sir Patrick Playfair as its
chairman. This body was thoroughly representative of the mercantile
community and all the complex elements that constitute the most
influential sections of society in Calcutta. It included judges,
barristers, doctors, solicitors, besides the most prominent native
merchants and princes, and formed altogether one of the most typical
assemblages ever known in the city. It was called to decide what sort of
reception should be given to Lumsden’s Horse, and its deliberations
closed with the unanimous resolve to make the occasion worthy alike of a
great country and of those who had fought for its honour with a courage
and devotion characteristic of British soldiers. The decision was
telegraphed to His Excellency the Viceroy, who was at that time absent
from Calcutta on tour. The Committee were very anxious that Lumsden’s
Horse should arrive in time to take part in the New Year Proclamation
Parade commemorating the Empress of India’s accession, when, according
to custom, there is a great military concentration in Calcutta of
Regular troops, Volunteers, and all branches of the Imperial Service to
be reviewed by the Viceroy.
In reply to Sir Patrick Playfair’s message the following telegram was
received:
_Copy of a Telegram from U.S.V. to Sir Patrick Playfair, dated
Bangalore, December 8, 1900._
The Viceroy will be very glad to take part in any reception that it
may be possible to organise for Lumsden’s Horse on their return to
Calcutta, and would gladly entertain them to lunch or in some other
way; he consulted military department upon the subject a fortnight
ago, but has received no reply; difficulty seems to be, first, that
force is coming back in separate batches; second, that all of these do
not come to Calcutta, one batch being due at Bombay December 24; it is
for consideration whether it would be possible to invite the whole
force to Calcutta and give them public reception, but there may be
difficulties in this course.
About this time the Executive Committee received a most gratifying
tribute to the reputation that the contingent had made for itself in
South Africa. This was an intimation that Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund had
voted 500_l._, under the rules of the institution, towards the expenses
of Lumsden’s Horse in acknowledgment of their services to the Empire. A
cheque for this generous amount had been forwarded to the Government of
India.
[Illustration:
_Photo: A. Saché & Co._
J.S. COWEN
]
Taking up again the thread of events, Major Neville Taylor tells the
story of the voyage from Cape Town to Bombay in his own cheery way:
We had no horses to look after and no drill; no saddles or rifles, but
plenty of accommodation for the men. I think everyone enjoyed the rest
immensely.
Proceeding to Durban, we picked up most of the men who had left on
urgent private affairs in the ‘Catalonia,’ which had been unexpectedly
stopped at Durban. After the rough living of the veldt, the good
feeding on board ship was very welcome, and rapidly told its tale in
the condition of the men. Before leaving Cape Town, the Colonel had
authorised the purchase of extra stores for the men out of the corps
funds. Two or three evenings every week were wiled away with
sing-songs, and many hours of each day devoted to sport of some sort.
These gave Trooper J.S. Cowen, the regimental artist, many
opportunities of adding character sketches to the portfolio that was
already well filled with subjects from the war. On Christmas Day the
men had a really good dinner, and the officers were the guests of
Captain Wallace, the kind veteran commander of our ship, the
‘Atlantian.’ After a very lively voyage, during which but one ship was
sighted since the South African coast sank below the horizon, we drew
near the land of Hindustan once more. A day or so before our arrival
everyone was very busy putting things clean and straight. On the
morning of December 31 we came in sight of the mark-boat, which was
gaily dressed with flags in our honour and gave us a salute with her
gun. This was the first hint we had of the enthusiastic reception
awaiting us in India. As soon as anchor was dropped, we officers
received an invitation from the General to lunch with him at the Yacht
Club, and an intimation that the men were all to land at 5 P.M.
On December 26, Brigadier-General Ventris, Commanding at Bombay, had
issued the following Garrison Order:
In connection with the expected arrival of Lumsden’s Horse from South
Africa per transport ‘Atlantian’ on or about the 28th inst., the
Officers commanding 2nd Bombay Grenadiers and 21st Bombay Infantry
will be good enough to detail their bands to be in attendance at the
Ballard Pier at 8 A.M. (on date to be hereafter notified).
All Officers of the Garrison, Regular and Volunteers, are invited to
be present.
Dress.—Review order, summer clothing.
The following appeared in the District Orders for the next day:
On the arrival of Lumsden’s Horse they will be marched from the
Ballard Pier to Victoria Terminus, _viâ_ Elphinstone Circle, Church
Gate Street, and Hornby Road.
The troops and Volunteers in garrison will line each side of Hornby
Road from the Floral Fountain to Victoria Terminus in the following
order, on Friday, the 28th inst., commencing at the Floral Fountain:
Royal Garrison Artillery; Norfolk Regiment (Detachment at Colaba); 2nd
Bombay Grenadiers; 21st Bombay Infantry; Bombay Volunteer Artillery;
Bombay Volunteer Rifles; and 1st B.B. & C.I. Railway Volunteer Rifle
Corps.
The Bombay Light Horse will, if possible, furnish a mounted escort.
The Regular troops will rendezvous at the Floral Fountain and the
Volunteers at the Victoria Terminus at 7.30 A.M. As Lumsden’s Horse
pass, troops should shoulder arms. When they have reached Victoria
Terminus troops may march to quarters.
Dress.—Review order, summer clothing.
The signal for the arrival of the transport ‘Atlantian’ with Lumsden’s
Horse on board will be four guns to be fired from the Saluting
Battery.
Officers commanding corps are requested to have someone at the
Saluting Battery up to 6 A.M. on the 28th inst., to ascertain if the
transport is signalled. Should the steamer be signalled after 6 A.M.
the parade will not take place till the 29th inst. at the same hour.
The ‘Atlantian,’ however, did not reach Bombay Harbour until 7 A.M. on
December 31, with the following officers, non-commissioned officers, and
men of Lumsden’s Horse on board:
Colonel Lumsden, Captain and Adjutant Taylor, Captain
Beresford, Captain Noblett, Captain Holmes, Surgeon-Captain
Powell. Staff—Regimental Sergeant-Major Hewitt, Regimental
Quartermaster-Sergeant Dale, Staff-Sergeant Stephens, Farrier-Sergeant
Marshall, Farrier-Sergeant Edwards, Pay-Sergeant Fraser, Orderly-Room
Sergeant Graves, Sergeant Longman, Lance-Sergeant S.S. Cuthbert,
Saddler Briggs, Privates Lowe, Lee, and Hayward. A Company—Company
Sergeant-Major Mansfield, Company Quartermaster-Sergeant Booth,
Sergeants Fox, Llewhellin, Stowell, Donald, and Rutherfoord, Corporal
Macgillivray, Lance-Corporals Lemon and Godden, Privates E.S.
Clifford, F.M. Clifford, C.H.M. Johnstone, Corbett, Dickens, Bradford,
Cowen, Webbe, Kennedy, Courtenay, Zorab, Renny, Ritchie, Gordon,
Atkinson, Watson, Brown, Henry, Allan, Aldis, John, Newton, Reid,
Campbell, Bell, Macdonald, Haines, Smith, Hughes, Tancred, Bolst,
Burnand, Dowd, and Palmer; Transport-Sergeant Power, Privates
Lovegrove, Doyle, Manville, Paxton, Daly, and Scott; and
Lance-Corporal Wheeler. B Company—Sergeant Conduit, Lance-Sergeant
Warburton, Corporal Jackman, Privates Nicolay, Bagge, Innes, Williams,
Nolan, Betts, Turner, Powis, Thelwall, Lytle, Spicer, Lungley, Winder,
Dexter, Martin, Moorhouse, Maxwell, and Allardice; Transport-Sergeant
Smith, Privates Rice, Crux, Meares, Rust, and Quartermaster-Sergeant
Morris.
Before going on shore at Bombay, Colonel Lumsden received the following
telegram from Sir Patrick Playfair, C.I.E., Chairman of the Calcutta
Reception Committee:
The people of Calcutta bid you and your gallant corps welcome. They
are proud of the way in which Lumsden’s Horse has represented India
against Britain’s enemies. They wish to do you honour on arrival in
Calcutta. You will be given a public reception, and the military bands
will play you into your camp. It is proposed that your corps should
take part in the Proclamation Parade on the morning of January 1, and
then attend a special Divine Service at the Cathedral. His Excellency
the Viceroy will entertain the corps at luncheon on Wednesday, January
2, and the reception committee are organising an evening party in the
Town Hall for the night of the same day.
[Illustration: W.H. NICOLAY]
[Illustration: A. ATKINSON]
[Illustration: C.H. JOHNSTONE]
[Illustration: G. SMITH]
[Illustration: SERGT. J. BRENNAN]
[Illustration: N.V. REID]
[Illustration: W.R. WINDER]
[Illustration: R.M. CRUX]
[Illustration: L.K. ZORAB]
HOME FROM SOUTH AFRICA—N.C.O. AND TROOPERS
Sir Patrick Playfair supplemented his telegram by a characteristically
cordial letter which Colonel Lumsden found also awaiting him when the
‘Atlantian’ reached Bombay two days later:
Calcutta: December 24, 1900.
MY DEAR LUMSDEN,—Welcome back to India! You and your gallant men have
done splendid service, of which your countrymen in India, and your
native friends here, are justly proud, and you will have a great
reception. Owing to the numbers that wish to give you and the members
of your corps a hearty welcome, it may not be possible to inaugurate a
public banquet, and the alternative may be a reception in the Town
Hall on the evening of the 1st if His Excellency the Viceroy can be
present after the State dinner at Government House.
The Viceroy is taking the keenest interest in the return of the corps,
and is considering what had best be done. He has expressed his wish to
give the corps a luncheon at Government House.
It is suggested that you should arrive here on the evening of the 31st
or at dawn of the 1st, and be accommodated in camp on the Maidan and
take part in the Proclamation Parade on the morning of the 1st, attend
a short service in the Cathedral, and have a reception in the Town
Hall in the evening.
A meeting has been called, to be held in the rooms of the Bengal
Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, the 26th, to form a Reception
Committee.
You will be brought across at Government expense, and when in camp the
corps will draw ration pay, and the Executive Committee of Lumsden’s
Horse will arrange as formerly for your food while in camp.
It is to be hoped that all the members of your corps will come across;
and the Viceroy is further desirous that members of the corps who have
already returned to India and taken their discharge should be invited
to come to Calcutta and take part in the parade and public
demonstration. I am, therefore, communicating with those members who
have already returned to India, so far as I am aware of their names
and addresses.
The corps will be disbanded here, and the members will receive
warrants for railway fare to their homes.
Expenses connected with the public reception of the corps will be met
independently of the Lumsden’s Horse Fund. There is a balance here of
about Rs. 14,000 at credit of the fund. From your telegram received
from Durban—for which I thank you—we infer that you are returning with
about Rs. 40,000. The settlement of account for horses originally
contributed by troopers to the corps has yet to be made. This is
rather a large item. If the above balances be left, there should be a
fair sum at the disposal of the corps after liabilities are met.
Messrs. King, King, & Co. have kindly undertaken to have _sola topees_
waiting your arrival, as requested by telegram, and also to deliver
letters on board.
I am asking King, King, & Co. to wire to me whenever the steamer is
sighted, and again so soon as they ascertain how many of the corps are
with you—officers and men—on board. This is necessary and desired, as
there is some inconsistency between the military telegraphic
information and that received by me from you with regard to your
numbers.
Let me know the date and hour when you will leave Bombay, and the date
and hour when you will reach Howrah; also where, and on what dates,
telegrams will reach you when crossing India.
I shall not ascertain the programme and details of your reception
until after the 27th, and I shall have to wire all this.
Bombay may wish to entertain you, and in accepting their hospitality
be sure that their arrangements will bring you to Calcutta in time to
take part in the Proclamation Parade on the Maidan on the morning of
January 1.
It is doubtful if we can mount you. That remains to be seen. If we
cannot do so, the corps must march past, and will probably be formed
into a guard of honour to His Excellency thereafter.
Have you got your arms with you?
Is there anything in the matter of furnishing that the members of the
corps require on arrival?
I shall be very glad to see you, old fellow, and join in the hurrahs
that are waiting for you.
Please remember me to all your officers and to the members of the
corps.
I may write to you again to-morrow, but I cannot delay a letter any
longer in case my communication should miss you.
With the warmest greetings to you and your gallant officers and men,
and wishing you all a Merry Christmas,
Believe me,
Yours sincerely,
P. PLAYFAIR.
Lieutenant-Colonel Lumsden (Lumsden’s Horse),
Bombay.
Colonel Lumsden replied, December 31, 1900:
On behalf my corps please offer my best thanks to people of Calcutta
for promised reception. Much regret we have arrived too late to join
in Proclamation Parade. Our numbers are seven officers and eighty-nine
men. No arms. Our train leaves Bombay 7 to-night, timed arrive
Calcutta 6 P.M. Wednesday.
The luncheon was a delightful success, as it always is at the Yacht
Club. Then all officers went on board and the official disembarkation
was got through.
The ‘Times of India’ of January 1, 1901, had the following:
Among those present at the Bunder when the troops arrived from the
‘Atlantian’ were: His Excellency Lord Northcote, Governor of Bombay;
Brigadier-General F. Ventris, Commanding the Bombay District;
Lieutenant-Colonel R. Owen, Military Secretary to Lord Northcote;
Captain Greig, A.D.C.; Colonel Riddell, Assistant Adjutant-General;
Major Butcher, Commanding R.A., Colaba; Captain Oldfield, R.A.,
Captain Edwardes, Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General; the Honourable
Mr. Justice Crowe; the Honourable Mr. S.M. Moses; the Honourable Mr.
John R. Greaves; Major A. Leslie, Bombay Volunteer Artillery; Major
Soundy, V.D., Bombay Volunteer Rifles; Major Fowle, R.A.; Captain
Browne; Lieutenant G.W. Moir, Bombay Light Horse; Captain Stoddart,
B.V.A.; Lieutenant Robertson, R.A.; Captain J. Leash, Captain Savage,
Captain Rogers, Lieutenant Deane, Lieutenant Sharp, Lieutenant
Wilkinson, Lieutenant Moens, and Lieutenant Greaves, all of the Bombay
Volunteer Rifles; Prince Samatsingji of Palitana, the Nawab of
Radhanpore, and others.
Outside the Bunder shed were drawn up twenty men of the Governor’s
Bodyguard, and a detachment of the Bombay Light Horse under the
command of Lieutenant G.W. Moir.
The men belonging to Lumsden’s Horse left the ‘Atlantian’ in two
Government troop-boats, and landed at the Ballard Pier at 5 P.M.,
where they were given a cordial welcome by the Bombay Volunteers and
the general public, who had assembled at the pierhead in large
numbers. They were loudly cheered, and, forming fours, were marched
through the shed to the pavilion, in front of which stood the
Governor, Lord Northcote. Brigadier-General Ventris presented Colonel
Lumsden to His Excellency who cordially greeted him. The men took up
their position outside the shed, where they were inspected by Lord
Northcote.
The Governor then addressed the men in front of a large gathering of
spectators. He said: The present opportunity is one that it gives me
great pleasure to avail myself of to extend, on behalf of the Bombay
Presidency, a most cordial welcome to you, members of the gallant
band, some 281 strong, I believe, who left India some ten months ago
to serve our Queen-Empress in South Africa. We have followed with the
deepest interest the fortunes of your gallant corps, and we have read
with pride and pleasure the testimony that has been borne to your
valour and your service by Dr. Conan Doyle in his history of the war
and from many other sources. We read with pride and pleasure how you
gentlemen, sacrificing your ease and comforts and the luxuries of your
Eastern life, went forth to do your duty to your country in South
Africa—an object-lesson of patriotism to the Empire, and worthily
maintaining the traditions of Outram’s Volunteers. Well indeed have
the members of Lumsden’s Horse merited the warm eulogium which the
Commander-in-Chief in South Africa paid to you. Most truly did the
Viceroy say that the whole of India would greet your return with
enthusiasm. You gave us in your first fight a taste of the stuff of
which you were made when you cut your way through superior forces, one
detachment of you having been surrounded; and you won our admiration
by your return when, after losing a large percentage of your number,
every member came back with marks of bullets on him. That was but one
incident of your career of honour throughout the campaign. This is not
the occasion for anything in the nature of a long speech. You are
about to proceed to Calcutta, where you will receive a more formal,
but not a more hearty, welcome than we in Bombay extend to you to-day.
We in Bombay have seen too many valiant soldiers, both Native and
European, go forth from time to time to serve the Queen-Empress, not
to seize with pride and pleasure every opportunity of welcoming them
back again. It is with interest that we learn that many of you remain
to colonise and develop those countries which you have aided to
enfranchise. Some of your comrades, alas! sleep their last, an
honoured sleep, beneath the South African veldt. They were men who
held their lives as naught when it came to sealing their loyalty with
their life’s blood. To their memory be all honour and all gratitude
paid by their fellows in India. You, gentlemen, I will repeat once
more, have our heartiest congratulation and our warmest welcome.
Colonel Lumsden, in reply, said: On behalf of the corps which I have
the honour to command, let me offer you our warmest thanks and
gratitude for the very kind and cordial reception you have given us
to-day. I believe the present war was the first which had the honour
of calling out the Volunteers from across the seas, and we as the few
who represented India feel with deep respect and gratitude the warm
welcome you have given us on our return. Gentlemen (turning to his
men), I cannot make a long speech, but I ask you all to give three
cheers for the Governor and the residents of Bombay for having given
us such a hearty welcome.
The members of the corps responded to the call lustily, and the crowd
answered again with three cheers for Lumsden’s Horse.
A few brief orders, and the procession formed to march to the station.
It was headed by the Bodyguard and the Governor’s carriage as far as
the Floral Fountain. The band of the B.V.A. then led the way, followed
by the Bombay Light Horse and Lumsden’s Horse. Behind these came
numbers of carriages, and on either side pressed a crowd that seemed
unable to show its enthusiasm sufficiently. From the offices of the
Port Trust, by Elphinstone Circle and along Hornby Road, every window
was occupied. Handkerchiefs were to be seen waving on all sides, until
even the walls of the houses seemed to awake to the wonder of the
scene. After all, it was one such as India has rarely witnessed. The
Imperial instinct was aroused. The handful of men following the
Colonel they had bravely followed through all the chances and changes
of war, by whom they had stood for the sake of their country while the
bullets whistled and carried death around, were the embodiment of a
great idea, a noble sentiment. And the people saw and appreciated. The
crowd that had assembled to await the arrival of the troops as they
passed along joined in the march. Some pressed eagerly to speak to the
warriors—most were content to realise what it meant, this wave of
patriotism. The band in front changed the march tune. The music seemed
to become more jubilant as the great mass of soldiers and people swung
along in step. Bombay was rejoicing in very truth. The banners hung
out from the buildings told of it. The spirit of gladness pervaded
everything. Here was a grand ending of the old year. What would the
new year bring? A detachment of the Bodyguard had formed a line
outside the Victoria Terminus. The Bombay Light Horse took up a
position alongside. The band of one of the Native regiments played a
welcome, and under the portico Lumsden’s Horse tramped in, followed by
an enormous crowd. The officers of the garrison had arranged to give
the corps dinner in the refreshment-room. When the meal was over the
guests were fairly besieged. In the station itself it seemed as if
thousands of spectators had assembled. They shook hands with Lumsden’s
men. ‘Welcome,’ ‘Good Luck,’ and ‘A Happy New Year’ were heard
everywhere. It was a great day—one worth waiting for. As the train
steamed out of the station the building resounded again and again with
the cheering. On the line detonators sounded a parting salute, and the
crowd, now hoarse with shouting, dispersed.
Major Taylor also deals with these incidents briefly, and then carries
on a lively narrative up to the hour when Lumsden’s Horse, having made a
record journey across India, arrived at Calcutta:
When the troops landed there was a great crowd with bands playing. The
Governor (Lord Northcote) made us a speech full of kindly references
and good wishes as he bade us welcome home. The corps then marched
with the band and an enthusiastic throng—among which numbers of
Parsees were particularly prominent—to the railway station. There all
Lumsden’s Horse found themselves the honoured guests of the Bombay
Garrison, officers of the Regulars and Volunteers having combined,
with the most gratifying unanimity, to give us festive welcome. All
the regimental and private baggage had been taken over by our kind
hosts and put on the train, so that all the men had to do was just to
march into the train. Great enthusiasm prevailed. The fine band of a
Native regiment (the 21st Bombay Infantry) played us off, and so, amid
much cheering, the train steamed out, firing a salute in our honour as
it passed over lines on which detonating signals had been placed at
regular intervals. About 10 o’clock at night we passed a Volunteer
camp and stopped at the station, where bands were playing. The whole
force from camp was paraded on the platform, a great honour at that
time of night. Then we went on again at full speed, stopping only for
meals at stations, which were dressed gaily with flags, and at each of
these bands of sorts assembled, and we were entertained free of cost.
One halt was called at a very small station, but even there we were
escorted from the train to the dining-tent by the best band they had.
It was native and local, its instruments being one big drum, two
kettledrums, three flutes, two penny whistles. That was all they could
do, but they did it. Their desire to honour us was evident, though
their means were small—except the big drum—and this demonstration
touched us perhaps even more than the most elaborate ceremonials
prepared for our reception. Eventually, at about 7 o’clock, we reached
Calcutta, having performed the journey in record time, which was due
entirely to the skill, kindness, and courtesy of Mr. T.R. Wynne,
manager of the Bengal-Nagpur Railway, who caused all other traffic to
be shunted wherever necessary in order that Lumsden’s Horse might keep
faith with the multitude of friends who were waiting to welcome them
in the city from which they had set out.
The following orders were issued by the military authorities at Army
Headquarters:
Lumsden’s Horse will be accorded a public reception on their arrival
in Calcutta at about 4 P.M. on January 2.
The General Officer Commanding and Staff will meet Lumsden’s Horse at
Howrah station; regimental and departmental officers not on duty are
invited to attend. Dress: drill order, serge.
Lieutenant-Colonel Swaine, R.I.R., will command the troops; Staff
Officers, Major Carpendale and Captain Hill.
The following arrangements will be made at Howrah:
On the arrival of Lumsden’s Horse a procession will be formed. The
Calcutta Light Horse will form the advanced guard, followed by the
14th Bengal Lancers. Regimental bands will follow in the following
order: 2nd Madras Infantry, 7th Bengal Infantry, Royal Irish Rifles
Volunteers. Then will follow General Officer Commanding and Staff and
Lumsden’s Horse. The several Volunteer corps will be formed up in line
in the order hereinafter detailed, with ranks opened and facing
inwards to form a lane, and as the procession passes they will in
succession ‘shoulder arms.’ On Lumsden’s Horse passing the Calcutta
Port Defence Volunteers, the several Volunteer corps will join in the
procession in the order in which they are standing.
The units will be formed in the following order, commencing from
Howrah station: E.I.R. Volunteers, E.B.S.R. Volunteers, 3rd Battalion
C.V.R., 2nd Battalion C.V.R., 1st Battalion C.V.R., Cossipur Artillery
Volunteers, C.P.D. Volunteers.
The procession will proceed along the following route: Hugli Bridge,
Strand Road, Clive Ghat Street, Clive Street, Dalhousie Square North,
Dalhousie Square East, Old Court House Street, the Lawrence Monument,
to Lumsden’s Horse Camp pitched on the Maidan between Calcutta and
Plassey Gates.
The Fort William Garrison will line the route from Government Place to
the camp in the following order: 20th Bombay Infantry, 2nd Madras
Infantry, Royal Irish Rifles, No. 9 Company E.O.R.G.A., 45th Battery
R.F.A.
On Lumsden’s Horse reaching their camp, officers commanding corps will
form up independently and march to quarters. Should the arrival of
Lumsden’s Horse be delayed till after dark, torches will be provided,
with reference to which subsidiary orders will be issued.
Definite information as to the time of arrival will be circulated at
noon on January 2.
Corps should be in position twenty minutes before the train is due.
The Chief Commissariat Officer will provide transport for the baggage
of Lumsden’s Horse, and the 7th Bengal Infantry will furnish an escort
of a N.C.O. and twelve men to escort the baggage from Howrah to Camp.
By order,
J.M. CARPENDALE, Major,
Officiating Garrison Quartermaster.
In substitution of the memo, bearing the same date:
Officers attending the reception at the Town Hall in honour of
Lumsden’s Horse on the evening of January 2 will wear mess dress.
Officers who have been invited as guests by His Excellency the Viceroy
to luncheon on January 3, to meet Lieutenant-Colonel Lumsden and
officers and men of Lumsden’s Horse, will appear in drill order.
(Mounted officers, undress overalls and Wellington boots.)
By order,
E.R. ELLES, Major-General,
Adjutant-General in India.
Army Headquarters, Fort William: December 31, 1900.
Major Carpendale, of the Bombay Cavalry, acting as Garrison
Quartermaster, with great kindness took upon himself all arrangements
for the camp. This was pitched on the glacis of Fort William,
overlooking the broad Maidan, and provided with every necessary article
of equipment, the mess tents and others being in all respects complete
and comfortable. The following appeared in the ‘Englishman’ of January
3, 1901:
Punctually at 5.30 yesterday evening, the time previously announced
for its arrival, the eagerly awaited train bringing Lumsden’s Horse
from Bombay, drew up alongside the new arrival platform of the
Bengal-Nagpur Railway Company at Howrah. The scene which the station
presented to the returning Volunteers must have struck those who were
not wrapt up in more important personal concerns as exceptionally
bright and picturesque. The Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal (His Honour
Sir John Woodburn) paid to the corps and its commanding officer the
great compliment of coming with his Staff and a brilliant escort to
receive them at the station. Outside, where the Bengal Lancers in
their striking uniforms, with pennons flying, together with the
Calcutta Light Horse, were drawn up, were long rows of tall Venetian
masts, from which strings of gaily coloured flags fluttered. ‘Welcome’
in bold white letters on a groundwork of red appeared as the chief
feature of an ornamental arch facing the entrance. The roof of the
platform itself and the pillars were most tastefully decorated with
festoons of evergreens and arrangements of bunting. When mention is
also made of the ladies occupying specially erected stands on either
side of the gateway, and of the large and representative assembly of
officials, military and civilian, gathered, sufficient has been said
to warrant the men of Lumsden’s Horse, as they looked out from the
carriage windows, feeling that Calcutta was not unmindful of them and
had prepared a fitting reception. As the coaches came to a standstill
the friends of the ‘boys in khaki’ flocked round to bid them welcome
by a hearty grip of the hand, to exchange greetings and news. There
were no scenes. Britons do not, as a rule, make public parade of their
deepest feelings. The occasion, moreover, was a gladsome one, and it
did all present good to note the magnificently robust health of the
men displayed in their sturdy figures and ruddy and bronzed faces; all
looked remarkably fit, and none more so than the gallant Colonel
himself, who was first to step from his carriage. He at once walked
towards the group where the Lieutenant-Governor, Bishop Welldon,
General Leach, and other distinguished personages were standing. After
a course of hand-shaking, the Colonel directed his attention to the
detraining of his men. Soon they were busily engaged in getting out
their kits. When this task was accomplished, they were formed into
line and His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor said:
Colonel Lumsden,—The citizens of Calcutta give you and your gallant
men of the Indian contingent a very hearty and enthusiastic welcome.
You have had a hard time abroad, and suffered great privations. But I
should like you to know that your career has been followed by those
left behind in Calcutta with the greatest admiration and pride.
Gentlemen all, let us give Colonel Lumsden and his gallant men three
hearty cheers.
Needless to say there was a quick and cheerful response to this
request, and before it had quite subsided Sir John called for ‘one
cheer more,’ which was given with equal heartiness. Colonel Lumsden,
in a voice the huskiness of which betokened the depth of his feelings,
called on the men of the Indian contingent to respond with ‘three
cheers for the Lieutenant-Governor.’ Their effort emphasised the fact
that in lung power and appreciation for Sir John Woodburn their trip
to South Africa had effected no deteriorating influences, nor was
there anything wanting in the worth of the response to the gallant
Colonel’s call for ‘one more for the citizens of Calcutta.’ The men
then formed fours and marched out to receive the welcome of the
thousands collected round the approaches to the station and along the
route.
Among those present on the platform were: The Hon. Mr. Cotton, Chief
Commissioner of Assam (now Sir Henry Cotton, K.C.S.I.); General Leach,
commanding Presidency District; the Most Rev. Dr. Welldon,
Metropolitan of India and Lord Bishop of Calcutta; Major the Hon. E.
Baring, Military Secretary to the Viceroy; Sir Patrick Playfair; Mr.
R.T. Greer, Chairman of the Calcutta Corporation; Rev. Mr. Jackson;
Mr. Harry Stuart; Mr. Apjohn, Vice-Chairman Port Commissioners; Major
Harington, Commandant Artillery Company C.P.D.V.; Captain Bradshaw,
Artillery Company C.P.D.V.; Major Churchill, commanding 9th
E.D.G.R.A.; Captain Deverill; Lieutenant-Colonel Meade, Officiating
Commandant Calcutta Volunteer Rifles; Dr. J. Neild Cook, Health
Officer; Mr. Dring, Agent E.I. Railway; Major Cooper, C.V. Rifles;
Colonel Master, Assistant Adjutant-General; Captain Iggulden,
Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General; Mr. H.M. Rustomjee, and a host of
others.
It was about a quarter to 6, the dusk just merging into dark, when the
picturesque procession swung over the bridge. The Calcutta Light
Horse, neat and trim, sitting firmly in their saddles, composed the
van. The Native Cavalry from Alipur followed—great black-bearded men
mounted on fretting horses; then the bands of four regiments, the 2nd
Madrasis, the 20th Bombay Infantry, the Royal Irish Rifles, and the
Calcutta Volunteers. Immediately behind were Lumsden’s Horse—on foot.
The bridge and its approaches were packed with seething masses of
people, who were with difficulty restrained from breaking through the
ranks of the Calcutta Port Defence and the Rifle Volunteers who lined
each side of the roadway and brought up the rear of the procession
after Lumsden’s Horse had passed through.
On the Calcutta side of the bridge a novel element was introduced, the
flanks of the column being illuminated by numbers of men carrying
acetylene lamps on poles—a very efficient substitute for torches. The
route taken was almost an historic one, for by it all our great
Viceroys have entered Calcutta; but it may safely be said that never
have the Strand Road, Clive Road, and that stretch flanked by
magnificent buildings which leads direct to the Maidan, witnessed
scenes of more moving enthusiasm than when Lumsden’s Horse, after
perils oft and tribulations, came marching home again. From Howrah to
the camp on the Maidan the roadway and buildings beside were lined
with the densest masses of humanity the eye can conceive. The
spectacle was a striking illustration of the variety and numbers of
the population of Calcutta. Naturally the crowds were thickest in the
northern part of the route, where the close-packed Native city
contributed its thousands, but even in the more European part of the
town one wondered whence the sightseers had come. It is probably no
exaggeration to say that so large a multitude of civilian Europeans
has never before been drawn together for a similar demonstration in
the East.
The decorations were most tasteful, especially down Dalhousie Square
South and Old Court House Street, where the larger shops were
brilliantly lighted behind the groups of well-dressed people who
thronged the verandahs and balconies. Partly because the Oriental is
by nature averse to violent demonstration, and partly because there
does not exist in India that class which ‘mafficks’ in London streets,
there was never any real roar of sustained cheering, but there could
be no mistaking the reality and fervour of the emotion that shook the
crowd as the returning warriors marched along. Besides, no man of
Lumsden’s Horse could have regretted the absence of that which made
more touching felicitations possible. The repression of the masculine
desire to express feelings by making a noise afforded the feminine
element an opportunity of extending a pretty and graceful welcome by
waving handkerchiefs and little flags, and uttering with each flutter
some tiny cry of admiration and delight, which reached distinctly the
ears of those for whom it was meant. The second part of the route was
lined by the troops in garrison, including the battery from
Barrackpur. Along the Maidan roads down to the camp the crowds were
the least dense, but represented the most wealthy sections of the
community. In dealing with them there was not the same necessity for
police supervision, and if people broke through the line of soldiers,
rushing forward to welcome their friends in the ranks, and escorted
them to the camp, why, no harm was done. Indeed, unrehearsed incidents
of this kind added the final touch to the heartiness and friendliness
of India’s greeting to those who had fought for our Empire in a far
country. When the long procession drew near Government House in the
gathering darkness, H.E. the Viceroy and Lady Curzon, with their
children and a large number of the Viceregal Staff, walked to the
south-east gate, and, standing on the roadway, waved a welcome to the
corps as it marched past. The roads on each side, and hence through
the Maidan skirting Eden Gardens, were lined by companies of the Royal
Irish Rifles. Of course, the appearance and bearing of the Volunteers
whom all had assembled to honour were keenly watched. The men had
grown leaner and browner than when they sailed away, and their
marching was in strong contrast to the stiff upright gait of the Port
Defence Volunteers behind them. It happens that in the stern, actual
business of war men learn to grasp only essentials. These returning
soldiers had plumbed the realities of life. Hunger they had known, and
thirst, and heat, and cold, and wounds, and the ever-present risk of
death. In such conditions the formalities that surround the British
Army in peace time drop away. Soldiers learn—and their officers
too—that, for instance, it matters not how one marches so long as one
does march. Thus it is that Lumsden’s Horse came through the streets
of Calcutta with bodies swinging carelessly forward, with eyes eager
and roving instead of being fixed at ‘attention,’ with ranks loosened
instead of being set in compact stiffness. It has sometimes been said
that war spoils men for drill. But it is something that the Volunteer
ranks in India have been leavened by men who know what campaigning is
really like. The feeling of those Calcutta Volunteers who assisted in
the procession was thus partly one of pride, for were not Lumsden’s
Horse also of themselves, and partly of prospective gratitude, for had
not the successes of their comrades in the great war opened the way
for their own employment also? No longer can it be said that unless
Volunteers attain an irreproachable precision in drill and smartness
in bearing they are useless as fighting men.
Large crowds of well-dressed persons, natives, and equipages of all
descriptions followed the corps up to the camp, where gunners of the
45th Field Battery lined the way. On arrival there three hearty cheers
were given for the men of Lumsden’s Horse, the cheers being repeated
over and over till the men were dismissed. In camp the scene was an
animated one. Men of the corps, singly and in groups, were centres of
attraction to friends and strangers alike. Conversation was free,
eager questions being good-humouredly answered, and questions repeated
and answered over and over again. The scene was well illuminated. A
well-ordered little camp of twenty tents has been pitched on the old
cricket ground of the Calcutta Cricket Club, exactly south of the Eden
Gardens. The camp has been furnished in ordinary military style and is
pitched in rows of three, with one tent for the officers of the corps,
a large mess tent, a canteen, and the usual necessaries. Camp
furniture only is allowed, consisting of a wooden folding-bed with a
straw mattress and pillow, and a few zinc tubs and basins for lavatory
purposes. The mess tent consists of four fly tents, open at the sides,
with a long table, big enough to accommodate a hundred hungry men,
running along its entire length.
After dinner, the men were formed up at 8.45 P.M. and marched into the
Town Hall, where they arrived at 9 P.M. After a short stay downstairs
they were ordered upstairs, where a most brilliant reception awaited
them.
This evening reception at the Town Hall was an entire success. The
decorations of the hall were most elaborate and characterised by great
taste.
On the landing upstairs, in addition to greenery in profusion, a
number of naval 9-pounders and a Hotchkiss machine gun, Nordenfeldts
and Maxims were arranged to form a central group, all these being
flanked by a number of small ancient ship’s brass cannons and
howitzers.
A daïs was erected in the centre of the hall, facing the main
entrance, which was occupied by His Excellency the Viceroy, Lady
Curzon, His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, the Commander-in-Chief,
General Leach, Sir E. Buck, Bishop Welldon, Sir F. Maclean, Lady
Jenkins, and others, while the space in front was roped off, and here
stood in lines the members of Lumsden’s Horse, whose Colonel, as the
Viceroy’s party passed through, presented to His Excellency every
officer of the corps in turn. No time was lost, after the arrival of
Lord and Lady Curzon, in proceeding with the object of the gathering.
His Excellency the Viceroy said:
Colonel Lumsden, Officers and Men of Lumsden’s Horse,—It is not yet a
year since I was bidding you farewell at Kidderpur Docks. You had
appointed me the Honorary Colonel of a corps of Volunteers that had
never seen warfare, but that was starting out at the call of duty, and
in many cases at great personal sacrifice, to fight for the Queen and
the Empire. Now you have come back, the war-stained and laurel-crowned
veterans of a long and arduous campaign; and we are all here this
evening to welcome you home and to do you honour. I, your Honorary
Colonel, am as proud of you as if I had been through the campaign at
your side, which being a man of peace I am very glad to think that I
was not called upon to do; and all of us here, the citizens of
Calcutta who subscribed to your outgoing, and have kept a watch upon
you ever since, feel a sort of parental glow at receiving back again
our one corps of Indian Volunteers to South Africa, who have shown
that the Englishman in India is not one whit behind his countrymen at
home or his cousin in the Colonies in daring and risking and suffering
for the flag that waves above us all.
For we know well through what hardships and experiences you have
passed since you steamed away down the Hugli in February last. The one
characteristic that has struck me most in this South African campaign
has been the physical strain and suffering which it has imposed. We
have robbed travel and sport and adventure nowadays of most of their
roughness, but war, even when your enemy is out of sight, and you
scarcely ever set eyes upon him, though it has lost in romance, has
not lost, nay—I think it has gained—in peril and privation. We have
followed you in your breathless marches across the dismal veldt, in
your assaults upon those deadly kopjes, in your days of endurance and
fighting, in your grim nights under the cold stars. We have
commiserated you when some of your number were taken prisoners, but we
were consoled when we heard that you were more frequently the pursuers
than the pursued, that you captured far more of the enemy than the
enemy did of you. We felt a thrill of pleasure when you were praised
by the Generals and, above all, by the brave old Field-Marshal who
knew what our men from India could do; and when you were publicly
thanked in despatches we all of us felt as if our own names had
appeared in the ‘Birthday Gazette.’ One thousand five hundred miles of
marching, twenty-nine actions of one kind or another—and all this in
the space of ten months. This is not a bad record for our pioneer body
of Indian Volunteers.
I was delighted, Colonel Lumsden, that in one respect you most
strictly obeyed the final instructions which as your Commanding
Officer, in mufti, I ventured to address to you in February of last
year. I urged you and your men to be there or thereabouts when the
British forces entered Pretoria. Knowing your keen sense of
discipline, it was with no surprise that I learned that on June 5
Lumsden’s Horse marched into that place in the van of Lord Roberts’s
occupying force. I only regret that I did not issue a few more timely
injunctions to you, such, for instance, as the capture of General De
Wet, since I have little doubt that you would have carried them out to
the letter.
There was one other remark that I made a year ago to which I must
allude. I said that there were some among those whom I was addressing
who might have to face the supreme peril without which war cannot be
waged. You all of you carried your lives in your hands, and a few of
your number have handed in your cheques at the great audit. But we
rejoice that it was only a few—a brave and heroic fraction, but still
only a fraction. You lost your second in command, the gallant Major
Showers, whom Nature had intended for a soldier and whom destiny in
his first encounter claimed as a hero. But besides him only five
others were killed, while two only died of disease in the entire
campaign. Indeed, the total casualties were fewer than twenty-four,
which in a force of over 250 men is, I think, a very remarkable
result. I doubt not that all the rest of you have often faced death,
and that many have triumphed over disease. So much the more cause is
there for satisfaction at coming back on your part and for rejoicing
on ours.
Colonel Lumsden, I am only addressing less than one half of the force
that mustered before me a year ago. Some have stayed behind in Africa
to continue, in the Regular Army, in the police, or in civil
appointments, the good service which they have rendered during the
past ten months. Though they are far away, and have cut the painter
from India, we include them in our gratitude and well-wishes to-night.
Others have already gone back to their Indian homes, and have been
unable to attend here to-day. We honour them in honouring you. In
their distant plantations or in their employments, wherever they may
be, possibly they will read of this gathering, and will know that they
equally have their places in our reception. As for the rest of those
here present, you, Colonel Lumsden, will always have the pride of
recollecting that it was to your initiative and liberality that this
corps owed its being, and that in the history of the war it bore your
name with credit and without a stain; while you, officers and men, as
you revert to your several avocations in civil life, and as the past
year fades into a hazy dream, will never forget that at a critical
moment in the fortunes of your country you came forward, and staked
much, endured much, and wrought much for the honour of the greatest
thing on earth—namely, the British name.
Officers and men, it was a pride to me to bid you God-speed nearly a
year ago. It is an inexpressible pleasure to me to welcome you back
this evening, and to thank you, in the name of India, for what you
have done in the service of the Empire.
Colonel Lumsden said: Your Excellency, your Honour, Ladies and
Gentlemen,—I feel it, though a pleasure, a hard task to endeavour to
express the feelings of my men and myself for the very hearty welcome
we have received and the very kind speech which our Honorary Colonel
the Viceroy has given us this evening. Our Honorary Colonel mentions,
and with truth, his words of advice in speaking to us on leaving. We
no doubt did our best to act up to it in every way, and I am sure,
speaking for myself as leader, there was no difficulty to do so when
followed by such men as I had. It was not altogether a party of
pleasure. There were rough things and hard times, and I often feared
that the Indian man, accustomed as he always is to the well-known
_kai-hae_, would not take to the labour of the veldt as well as he
did. I can assure your Excellency that never at any moment when things
were at their worst did I hear a word that was not cheerful and
pleasant from my men. We have been a fortunate corps in more ways than
one. We have been specially fortunate in our health. As our Honorary
Colonel remarked, only two men in the whole corps died of sickness.
This I think shows in a great measure how well the soldiers were
treated. There have been many complaints, I believe, in several
quarters as to the treatment of the soldiers there. But taking the
class of men I had to deal with, the small percentage of deaths from
disease shows we had not much to complain about in that respect. We
were fortunate also in our list of casualties. We were all very much
touched by the Viceroy’s allusions to those who have gone. No better
man existed than Major Showers, no greater loss could be felt by the
corps than in his death. He died, I believe, as he often thought he
would. He was a soldier to the backbone, and nothing pleased him
better than being in the field. Five died besides Major Showers,
giving a total of six altogether. That out of 250 men may be looked
upon as a small percentage. On the whole, in spite of the hardships
the men have gone through, I think there is not one, if the call to
arms were sounded to-morrow, who would not love to go back again. We
were greatly honoured at having the Viceroy as our Honorary Colonel,
and that pleasure was deeply felt by the men and remained in their
memory throughout the campaign. When any meed of praise was bestowed
upon us one and all felt sure our Honorary Colonel would be pleased to
hear of it. I cannot make a long speech to-night. I think the Viceroy
himself touched upon most of the points of interest connected with the
corps. I can only say how pleased we are with the reception we have
got. When we landed in Bombay the Governor said a few kindly words.
The streets were lined by thousands of people, and we had a welcome
such as we can never forget. Another thing I would wish to touch upon.
I think all the corps are proud of the number of commissions our men
have got. For this we have entirely to thank the Field-Marshal the
Commander-in-Chief. From start to finish there is no doubt his love of
India led Lord Roberts to take a keen interest in our Indian corps.
Our welcome to Calcutta to-day will, I am sure, sink deeply into all
our hearts and be long remembered. I can only say on behalf of my
officers and comrades that I thank you all deeply and sincerely. In
doing so I feel certain I am expressing the gratitude of us all, not
only for what we have received, but what I am told we have yet to
receive. I thank you, Sir, very heartily indeed on behalf of the whole
corps for the extremely kind way in which you have spoken of us and
our work.
The temporary barriers having been removed, the men were soon busily
engaged in conversation with their many friends and acquaintances. The
band discoursed a bright selection of music for the remainder of the
evening.
The ‘Englishman’ of Friday, January 4, 1901, contained the following:
Yesterday afternoon His Excellency the Viceroy and Lady Curzon
entertained Colonel Lumsden and the officers and men of the Indian
contingent to luncheon at Government House. The function took place in
the Marble Hall. The officers and men of Lumsden’s Horse, who were in
khaki, occupied two long tables running down the centre of the room at
right angles to that at which the Viceroy sat. The floral decorations
of the tables were of an exceptionally chaste and artistic character.
On the verandah the members of the Viceroy’s band were located, and
the most appropriate selection of national and patriotic music which
they rendered contributed largely to the success of the luncheon.
Ninety-two officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of Lumsden’s
Horse were present, and with the guests and Viceroy’s Staff the total
number sitting down to luncheon was 169. A pleasing feature of the
luncheon was the presence of Lady Curzon and the following ladies:
Lady Woodburn, Lady Palmer, Mrs. Harrington, Mrs. Tyler, Mrs.
Laurence, Miss Trevor, and Miss Law. The list of guests also included:
His Honour Sir John Woodburn, Sir Power Palmer, Sir Francis Maclean,
the Metropolitan, Sir Edwin Collen, Sir Arthur Trevor, Sir Edward Law,
Hon. Mr. Raleigh, Hon. Mr. Rivaz, Hon. Sir Henry Cotton, Sir Edward
Elles, General Luck, General Maitland, Surgeon-General Harvey, General
Wace, General Henry, General Dyce, Colonel Buckingham, Sir Patrick
Playfair, Mr. Justice Harington, Sir Henry Prinsep, Sir Allan Arthur,
Captains Taylor, Beresford, Noblett, Holmes, and Powell of Lumsden’s
Horse, Hon. Mr. Bourdillon, Colonel Masters, Colonel Meade, Colonel
MacLaughlin, Major Churchill, Colonel O’Donoghue, Captain Wilson,
Commander Petley, Colonel Swaine, Major Hoore, Captain Bradshaw,
Colonel Wynne, Major Ferror, Captain Ayerst, Rev. J. Hatton, Messrs.
Stuart, Sutherland, Elworthy, Kerr, Tremearne, Woodroffe, Turner,
Greer, and Apcar.
At the conclusion of the luncheon the toasts of ‘The Queen,’ ‘Colonel
Lumsden, Officers and Men of Lumsden’s Horse,’ and ‘The Viceroy’ were
enthusiastically honoured.
The same evening the members of Lumsden’s Horse marched to the
Cathedral to attend a special thanksgiving service for their safe
return. The congregation was a large and most representative one, and
included their Excellencies Lord and Lady Curzon, Sir John and Lady
Woodburn. The service was brief and bright, the musical portion
predominating. The hymns, being well known, were taken up heartily by
the congregation, and a magnificent rendering was given by the choir
of the ‘Hallelujah Chorus,’ to which result the inclusion of a number
of ladies in the choir and an orchestral accompaniment largely
contributed. The clergy present were the Metropolitan, Canons Luckman
and Cogan, Revs. Brown, Gee, Nansen, Kitchen, Clarke, Wickens, Otley,
and Campbell, The men of Lumsden’s Horse occupied the front pews, and
at the conclusion of the service filed out immediately behind the
choir and the clergy.
The following was the address which the Metropolitan delivered:
It is my privilege, brethren, to offer you in the house of God the
words of welcome which have been in all hearts, and upon all lips,
since your landing in India—the last words perhaps that shall be
addressed to you as a military force. It was here on the fourteenth
day of February last that you sought God’s blessing at a special
service before setting sail for the war, and it is here by a natural
consequence that you come again to render Him thanks on your return.
Brethren, we have followed you with earnest prayers in your long
absence. There has not been a Sunday when we have not entreated God to
bless you, and keep you safe, and to give victory to your arms, and to
bring you home in peace. You will not say or think those prayers have
been unheard. The memory of the friends who were far away, of their
care for you, and their sympathy in your perils must often have been
present to your minds. It may even have happened that you felt
strengthened and inspired, as others have felt by the consciousness,
of their intercession in your behalf.
Brethren, you have fought, not in a light cause, but for the Empire,
whose members and citizens you are. You have been the witnesses, and
in part the authors, of a new solidarity between the widely severed
forces of the Empire. That solidarity is the great fact, the permanent
result, of the war in South Africa. Its influence upon the destiny of
mankind will be more and more declared in the new-born century. A new
spirit of confederation has dawned upon the Empire, and it is your
spirit, and the spirit of men such as you.
May I remind you of a sentence spoken by a high authority on a
critical occasion in modern European history? Goethe relates that
after the battle of Valmy, at which he was present, he was asked by
his comrades in camp to pronounce an opinion upon its significance. He
said—and his language may have seemed extravagant when he used
it—‘From this place, and from this day forth, commences a new era in
the world’s history, and you can all say that you were present at its
birth.’ Brethren, the birthday of Imperial solidarity is likewise an
event fraught with issues of untold power and moment for mankind; but
that solidarity has been born in South Africa, and you can all say
that you were present at its birth.
Once more you have realised, and we too, how great and solemn is the
cost of an Imperial destiny. It is not by mere child’s play, but by
sorrow, pain, and death, that a wide-world Empire, like a Universal
Church, is achieved and maintained. You have hazarded your lives, some
of your comrades have laid theirs down, for that high cause; and the
issue of your sacrifice and theirs has been a solemnisation of the
Empire in the last year. It has been good for us that we have known
the reverses and anxieties which ennoble the ultimate victory. We have
felt the hand of God laid upon us. You who have come home, and we who
bid you so glad a welcome, shall spend the residue of our lives with
an enhanced moral seriousness, with a more profound apprehension of
the Providence which regulates and determines human ends.
Brethren, I shall not detain you longer in this holy place. Only let
your home-coming be worthy of your warfare. There are dangers in peace
as well as in war. Let the spirit, then, of your future lives be
grave, responsible, temperate, sublime, as befits your religion and
your race.
May the God of our fathers bless you all, and bring you all to Heaven!
The ‘Englishman’ of Monday, January 7, 1901, gave the following report
of another interesting scene:
Immediately after the Thanksgiving Service held at the Cathedral on
Thursday, the officers and men of our pioneer corps celebrated the
closing function of their active military career. It took its form in
a dinner given expressly by Colonel Lumsden, and the guests included
Sir Patrick Playfair, the Hon. Mr. Buckingham, Colonel MacLaughlin,
Mr. Harry Stuart, and several friends of the non-commissioned officers
and men. After an excellent dinner supplied by Mr. Wallace, of the
Italian Restaurant, who also catered for the corps prior to their
departure in February last, the toast of the Queen was proposed and
received with enthusiasm.
Private Turner, in a very apt little speech, then asked the Colonel if
he would very kindly consent to present, on behalf of the men, to
Sergeant-Major Hewitt, Quartermaster-Sergeant Dale, and Sergeant-Major
Brennan, souvenirs to mark their appreciation of the admirable work
done by these three non-commissioned officers. They always had the
knack of taking the men the proper way. To Quartermaster-Sergeant
Dale, _alias_ ‘Daddy,’ or ‘Bobby’ Dale, was due the excellent form in
which the men found themselves. They looked none the worse for their
trying marches and watchful nights simply because the man in charge of
the food arrangements was Dale. Colonel Lumsden said he had much
pleasure in presenting, on behalf of the men, a silver flask to
Sergeant-Major Hewitt, a silver flask to Quartermaster-Sergeant Dale,
and a silver cigar-case to Sergeant-Major Brennan.
The Colonel then proposed the health of the Executive Committee, who,
he said, had worked so indefatigably when the corps was being
organised. Their labours did not end there, however, for always while
the corps was in South Africa, and still on its return, they were all
concerned in its well-being and interests. It was a pleasure to him
and to his men to have been the recipients of so hearty a welcome as
that which met them on their arrival at Howrah on the evening of the
2nd inst. The work which the raising of a force such as Lumsden’s
Horse entails is extensive, complicated, and laborious, but thanks to
the able committee formed on the inception of the corps, they were
able to be equipped and despatched to the country they had just
returned from with comparatively no delay. To Sir Patrick Playfair
particularly he was deeply indebted for his energy in seeing things
put through in such an efficient manner and without a hitch, and he
was proud of now having an opportunity of asking his men to drink the
health of the gentlemen of the Executive Committee, with three times
three cheers for Sir Patrick Playfair.
Sir Patrick Playfair, in reply, said that he was sorry another very
important public function required the presence of many of the
Executive Committee who otherwise would have been present at this
dinner, Colonel Lumsden, he thought, was too lavish in his praises of
the work done by the Executive Committee. The work was a labour of
love, in the execution of which every member of that Committee took a
pleasure and a pride. He had met and known Colonel Lumsden very many
years before a certain day in November 1899, when he received from
Australia a cable from Colonel Lumsden intimating his willingness to
raise and have equipped a suitable corps capable of giving a good
account of themselves in South Africa. He had the fullest confidence
in Colonel Lumsden, and knew that the class of men to whom Colonel
Lumsden had particular recourse were the right sort. He, therefore,
did his utmost to encourage Colonel Lumsden in accomplishing his noble
object. Great obstacles for a time blocked the way, but in time, by
virtue of the personal influence of His Excellency the Viceroy, the
War Office sanctioned the raising of a corps which has now returned
loaded with honours, complimented time after time by Generals and in
official despatches for gallantry in the field. The Committee always
followed with interest the operations of the corps in South Africa,
and it was a pride and an honour to them to be in a position to say
that they were so closely connected with its formation. He regretted
that a few men should have found their appointments closed against
them on their return, but he assured them that the Executive
Committee, and particularly himself, would only be too glad to help
any man in finding suitable employment. He said he had already made
reference to the cases of men so placed to the Lieutenant-Governor,
and had asked that, all things else being equal, the men who had
served in Lumsden’s Horse should have the preference when appointments
were vacant. Sir Patrick Playfair then thanked Colonel Lumsden, the
officers, and men of the corps for the hearty way in which they had
drunk the health of the Committee.
Sergeant Fraser then, in a very humorous speech, announced to the
Colonel the intention of the men to present him with a sword of
honour as a memento and a token of their respect and esteem. Within
the last few days they had heard the Governor of Bombay, the
Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, and the Viceroy himself, express warm
admiration of Colonel Lumsden for the manner in which he had
conceived, organised, and led the corps. But he ventured to consider
that the men of Lumsden’s Horse were even in a better position than
these exalted gentlemen to express an opinion upon Colonel Lumsden,
for they had been with him in South Africa and seen with their own
eyes what he had done. It was in consequence of what they had seen
that they now asked Colonel Lumsden to accept from the men who had
been his comrades a sword of honour as the highest compliment they
knew how to pay him. He would remind them that Colonel Lumsden,
during the action at Ospruit, had ridden out to the rescue of a
wounded trooper, placed him on his own horse, and led the horse back
at a walk a distance of 200 yards, all under heavy fire.[14] Colonel
Lumsden had never asked his men to go where he did not lead himself,
and it will be within the recollection of all of them, after
climbing kopjes representing Kinchingjunga at six stone, that they
invariably found the Colonel on top busy with his binoculars, whilst
they themselves were helpless from loss of breath. His concern had
always been for his men without regard to his own convenience, and
it was because Colonel Lumsden had proved himself both gallant and
unselfish, that they desired to present him with the sword. If they
had a fault to find with Colonel Lumsden, it was that he was too
lenient with misdemeanants. They had frequently seen men marched
before him and sternly interrogated regarding their sins. But the
end of such interviews was generally a private conversation
regarding old times in Assam, or elsewhere, and no punishment. The
result was that the men swore by their Colonel, even those he had
been compelled to send to ‘cells’—there was one of these, half rear,
at the present moment loudly applauding all he was saying. Colonel
Lumsden was not only their commanding officer, but a personal friend
to each man, a combination which had led to the maintenance of an
extraordinary degree of discipline. They were all proud of the corps
they had the honour to belong to, but they were prouder, if
possible, of the officer whose name the corps bore. The only fault
they ever found with Colonel Lumsden was that he was too lenient
with the men, and in the goodness of his heart refrained from meting
out punishment where it was perhaps well deserved. However, it is
not every delinquent who would regard that as a fault. The men
regretted that time had not given them an opportunity of providing
the sword for presentation that night, but it would come in the
fulness of time. The Colonel’s health was then drunk with musical
honours, the men shouting themselves hoarse.
[Illustration: Ceremonial Sword]
Colonel Lumsden, in reply, said that this was truly and in every sense
the proudest moment of his life. He had already had the pleasure of
making a few speeches since the corps was raised, but he found it a
difficult thing to hit on words to express at all adequately his
appreciation of the eulogistic terms in which Sergeant Fraser, on
behalf of his comrades, had referred to him. He always had the
greatest confidence in his men and relied on their honour rather than
on strict and rigid discipline for the execution of his orders. He
knew his men thoroughly, and saw that they were prepared to play the
game as it should be played, and he felt proud, as any officer must,
of the men he commanded. The sword of honour proposed to be presented
to him would be his most treasured possession—he would always be proud
to refer to it and the happy associations it recalled. The past twelve
months had been the happiest in his whole career, and nigh forty-eight
summers had passed over his head. Turning to Sir Patrick Playfair’s
remark, he said that he, too, would do his utmost to have the men
without billets provided for. He was a believer in the great future in
store for South Africa, and wished every success to those of the corps
who had remained behind. He also said that Captain Petley had very
kindly placed the ‘Koladyne’ at the disposal of those who had no
friends to stay with in Calcutta, and that they only had to signify to
Captain Petley, who had taken a deep interest in the corps, their wish
to avail themselves of this kind offer. He would now say good-bye and
God-speed with every good wish for their future welfare, requesting
that, before breaking up camp, every man should promise to send his
photo.
The men were visibly touched by Colonel Lumsden’s speech, and, after
cheering him over and over again, chaired him and all the officers,
and Sergeant-Major Stephens, at great risk to those chaired.
The Sword of Honour, exquisitely wrought by Messrs. Hamilton & Co., of
Calcutta, and presented to Colonel Lumsden with such gratifying
evidences of good-will from those whom he had commanded, was of silver
with ring-mountings of gold, and bore upon its scabbard the following
inscription:
SOUTH AFRICA, 1900.
CAPE COLONY.
ORANGE FREE STATE.
JOHANNESBURG.
PRESENTED TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL D.M. LUMSDEN, C.B.,
BY THE N.C.O.S AND MEN OF LUMSDEN’S HORSE
AS A TOKEN OF THEIR PERSONAL REGARD, AND AS A MARK OF THEIR APPRECIATION
OF HIS HIGH QUALITIES AS A COMMANDING OFFICER.
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Footnote 14:
Trooper Betts has since been awarded the D.C.M. for accompanying the
Colonel on this occasion—to carry in Franks, who was mortally
wounded.
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