TREKKING IN THE NORTH-EAST TRANSVAAL
On April 13th, 1901, General Walter Kitchener commenced his long trek
with a night march.
His force consisted of--
Two guns 53rd F.B.R.A. under Major Johnson and Captain Talbot-Ponsonby.
One 5-inch gun.
One 5-inch howitzer.
One naval 12-pounder.
One company mounted infantry.
1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment (20 officers and 900 men).
2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade.
The 6th Western Australians.
General Walter Kitchener's column formed one of the many operating at
the time in a combined movement in the Northern Transvaal and bush
veldt, under the direction of General Sir Bindon Blood.
Two columns were sent north to drive the bush veldt, forcing any Boers
that might be located there on to the other columns, who were acting as
stops near the Tautes Berg and Bothas Berg, immediately north of the
Pretoria-Lorenzo railway line.
General Walter Kitchener decided to start his operations with an attack
on Schoeman's laager, and for this purpose the Regiment was ordered to
take up a position before dawn which would cut off the laager, situated
in the Steenkampsberg mountains, near the entrance of the Lydenburg road
into the hills, from the north. This entailed a night march of about
sixteen miles. The remainder of the column was to proceed by the main
road and attack the laager at daybreak.
The Regiment rendezvoused on the west side of the river, clear of the
town, before dusk. Here the men had food, and a start was made at 7 p.m.
The going at first was fairly simple, but once the track was left the
ground became rough, stony, and intersected with dongas. The advance was
then made in single file.
As an instance of how a small obstruction delays troops marching in the
dark, one small water-course 1-1/2 feet wide and about 1 foot deep
delayed the head of the column for some thirty-five minutes, till all
the men had crossed and were closed up again, and then in crossing one
in every ten fell into it. The top of the Steenkampsberg was reached at
about 1 a.m., after a steep climb over a rough track. The difficulty of
the march was increased by a thick fog. On the far side a steep cliff,
at the bottom of which was a deep donga and a mountain torrent, was
encountered, and this had to be negotiated on hands and knees. Slipping
and sliding down, the bottom of the donga was reached and the mountain
torrent waded, and then after a steep ascent the top of the plateau was
reached.
It was here that the laager was supposed to be situated, and an
extension was made and the advance continued. Just as the dawn was
breaking some flying Boers, appearing and disappearing in the fog, were
fired at by the leading extended company. The Boers had been disturbed
prematurely and had escaped, taking with them their pompom, but the
wagon containing its ammunition fell into the hands of the Regiment.
The actual position of the laager was found to be about one mile away
from where it had been previously located, and was very difficult to
find in the dark owing to the undulations of the ground at the top of
the ridge. Complete success under these circumstances was scarcely
probable, but as a test as to what a regiment could do when called upon,
the undertaking was effective and complete.
After the Regiment had been engaged in long-range firing for some time,
the head of the main column appeared on the Lydenburg road, and the
force finally went into bivouac for the night at Boshhoek. About 400
sheep and some cattle were picked up on the neighbouring farms.
The following morning the column marched north down the Waterval valley,
and after the mounted troops had experienced some opposition in very
hilly and rough country, Boshfontein was reached.
Shortly after the force had settled into camp heavy gun fire was heard
from the direction of Waterval. The Boers' shells exploded in the valley
immediately to the north of the camp and in the vicinity of a farm,
where it would appear the Boers considered the column should have
bivouacked. After the explosion of some twenty shells a louder report
than usual was heard, and the shelling ceased.
The mounted troops reported that the Boers were in position above
Waterval, where there was a large women's laager.
In the dark of the morning, at three o'clock, General Kitchener set his
column in motion: four companies, with a 12-pounder and two 5-inch guns,
under Major Davies, preceded the force, with the intention of capturing
the big Boer gun; four companies, with two field guns, under Captain
Jacson, made a flanking movement through scrub and dongas round the
left. Very little opposition was met with. The mounted troops captured a
few prisoners, and it was found that the Boers had blown up their big
gun. This was the gun that had been situated on Pepworth Hill, and which
had been disabled by one of the Naval Brigade's shells during the siege
of Ladysmith. Its muzzle had been shortened, showing that it had been
damaged. The Boers had blown the gun to pieces. The barrel of the gun
was blown about fifty yards in front of the emplacement, whilst the
breech-block was found afterwards 1-1/2 miles in rear. They had
destroyed also one pompom and one Maxim. Twenty-eight Boers were
captured, with about sixty head of cattle and thirteen wagons. The
Australians had one man killed and one man wounded.
[Illustration: Remains of Boer Big Gun, Waterval]
The Waterval valley was well watered and exceedingly rich in crops, and
the numerous farm-houses were full of families. These were collected
afterwards by Colonel Park's column and sent into Lydenburg.
On the 16th the column set out from Waterval in a north-westerly
direction, the objective being Secoconi's country and Magnet Heights.
The first day found the force on the east bank of the Steelpoort River.
The Dwars River, which was found in full flood owing to a very violent
thunderstorm, had been forded on the way. The Regiment was rear-guard to
the column, and, owing to delay in passing the baggage over the river,
reached camp some considerable time after dark. The Australian mounted
troops did not halt at the Steelpoort, but, fording the river, pushed on
to Magnet Heights, which they occupied the same night. Park's column had
been in touch with Kitchener's in the morning.
[Illustration: Crossing the Steelport River]
On the banks of the Dwars River Secoconi's men were first met with.
These, armed with rifles of various patterns ancient and modern, were
out scouting for General Kitchener in all directions.
At dawn on April 17th the crossing of the Steelpoort River was
commenced. One company of the Regiment was first sent across to occupy
the high ground on the far side and to cover the crossing. The river was
in flood owing to the heavy rain of the previous day, and the water
above the men's waist. The advanced company having got safely across and
having occupied the high ground, the remainder of the infantry were sent
over without casualty. The march was then continued towards Magnet
Heights, which was reached at dusk. Here camp was formed, and on the
following day the march was again resumed with mule transport only,
through Secoconi's land.
Secoconi was at the time at war with a neighbouring tribe, and a fringe
of hills only, divided the combatant parties, but an interval was called
in their operations by mutual consent to allow of the passage of the
British through their respective countries. On leaving behind the
outposts of one, the outposts of the other were met with.
Having reached this point to the north of the Transvaal, General
Kitchener's column was in a position to turn south, and, in conjunction
with other columns on his right and left hand, to sweep the bush veldt
and mountains southward towards the railway, near which another force
under the personal command of Sir Bindon Blood, who was in charge of the
entire operations, was drawn up ready to intercept any Boers who might
try to move across the railway from north to south.
At Vergelegen, where the column halted for the night of the 18th, some
of Secoconi's headmen came into camp for an interview. They were much
impressed with what they saw, patted the 5-inch gun with friendly
concern, and having relieved the General of his tobacco-pouch and a box
of cigars, and offering their assistance when not busy with their
neighbours, returned to their kraals.
The mounted troops were sent on ahead the same day to Pokwani town,
where it was supposed the Boers had collected a quantity of cattle. No
trace, however, of either Boers or cattle was found there.
The columns comprising the drive southward were in constant
communication with each other by signalling. Plumer's column was
immediately on Kitchener's right, holding the line of the Oliphant's
River, thus preventing the Boers, who were scattered in small groups in
the bush veldt, from escaping in the direction of Pietersburg, whilst
Park's column was operating on Kitchener's left, thus preventing the
Boers breaking back towards Waterval and the Steenkampsberg mountains.
Gradually Kitchener's column moved southward, driving the Boers off the
high ground and picking them up with their cattle and families in the
low or bush veldt. To do this with greater effect the column was
divided, one portion consisting of the battalion, one gun, the I.L.H.
and Australians under Colonel Davies proceeding in a north-westerly
direction to stop the Boers breaking back into the bush veldt in rear,
whilst General Kitchener with the remainder of the column marched over
the high ground overlooking the bush veldt, and on the direct road to
the south. On the 22nd Davies' column reached Enkeldedoorn, whilst
General Kitchener with the Rifle Brigade occupied Vaal Kop on the
morning of the 23rd. On the first day out the mounted troops of Davies'
force, scouring the bush in their advance, captured 23 prisoners, 8
wagons, 450 head of cattle, and 4000 sheep. They also brought in a
number of families, some of whom had been hiding for months in kloofs
and dongas in great fear of the Kaffirs. One woman with her children was
seen weeping by the side of the track, and on being asked the reason,
she implored that she also might be taken into the railway and not left
behind. She was comforted by an assurance that the column would return
and that she would be taken in.
Stores were now running short, and the biscuit and sugar rations were
reduced to half.
In order to keep connection between the two portions of General
Kitchener's column, two companies were left at Enkeldedoorn under the
command of Captain Bartlett. These also formed a "stop" to prevent the
Boers breaking back, and a post to which prisoners' families and cattle
could be forwarded on their way to join the head-quarters at
Paardeplaats, whither General Kitchener had gone from Vaal Kop.
The Regiment, with the Australian mounted troops, operating through
dense bush proceeded in the direction of the Oliphant's River, capturing
a considerable number of prisoners, cattle, wagons, and families,
amongst the prisoners being Commandant Fourie.
Eight privates of the Regiment, who were escorting an ammunition cart,
and who had lost their way, captured six Boers with all their cattle and
brought them into camp.
When within twelve miles of the Oliphant's River, Davies, hearing that
Commandant Schroeder with a small commando was directly between him and
Plumer's column on the Oliphant's River, split his force into two. The
infantry, comprising five companies of the Regiment, were sent back
under Captain Jacson, with all the prisoners wagons and families to
Enkeldedoorn, while Davies himself, with the Australians and one gun,
started in pursuit of Schroeder. On nearing the Oliphant's River it was
ascertained that Schroeder, with forty-one men and one Maxim gun and
several wagons, had been forced by Davies' mounted troops across the
river into the hands of Plumer, who had them in safe keeping.
Jacson's train of prisoners reached Enkeldedoorn on April 26th, and on
the following day he received orders to proceed at once to
Zuikerboschplaats and to take with him Bartlett's two companies from
Enkeldedoorn. This place was reached at dusk, and shortly afterwards
Davies brought up his Australians to the same camp, his column being
then again united. The northern part of the bush veldt having been swept
clear of Boers, Davies then moved due south and scoured the country
round the Tafel Kop mountain, capturing a number of prisoners and
wagons. Haartebeestfontein was reached late in the evening of the 28th,
some of the companies of the Regiment having marched over hill and dale
through thick scrub more than twenty miles. Four men had lost their way
and were missing.
Orders were received on the following day from General Kitchener for
Davies' force to rejoin head-quarters at Paardeplaats. An early start
was made at 6 a.m. Lackau, 12-1/2 miles, was reached at 11 a.m., and
here the column halted and the cattle outspanned till 2.30 p.m. The heat
in the bush veldt was excessive, and was very trying to the men and
cattle. At 2.30 p.m. the march was again resumed, and after another ten
miles Paardeplaats was reached at dusk.
It had been a hot and dusty march of 22-1/2 miles, and the men and
cattle were rather "done up." On arrival it was found that the General
had moved on to Goedgedacht.
As soon as it was dark rockets were fired to try and direct the four
missing men into camp, but without success.
On the following day the battalion with the Australians marched down the
steep Zaaiplaats Pass to Buffelsvlei, bivouacking for the night on the
banks of the Buffelsvlei River.
On arrival there it was again found that the General had moved on to
Rooi Plaats, and that the 2nd Rifle Brigade had proceeded by the
Tautesberg road with prisoners and families and cattle to Wonderfontein
on the railway line.
May 1st found the force at Rooi Plaats, and here a halt was made on the
2nd. Two companies under Captain Bartlett were dispatched to Diepkloof
and two companies under Captain Wren to Waterval in order to block the
two roads to the north from the Botha's Berg, and to stop the Boers
breaking back.
On May 3rd the Regiment with the Australian mounted infantry reached
Waterval, and on the following day proceeded to Blinkwater. Two
companies with two guns under Captain Ponsonby, R.A., were left behind
to cover the retirement of some mounted infantry, with orders to rejoin
in the evening.
General Blood, with the whole of his personal command, had left
Blinkwater on the previous day for Middleburg, and on the 5th General
Kitchener received orders to follow him. The column marched that day to
Rooi Kop, twelve miles distant on the Middleburg road, and on the
following day two companies Devon Regiment, two companies Rifle Brigade,
five guns and one howitzer, with the sick, the whole under Captain
Jacson, left for Bankfontein, where they were joined next morning by the
remainder of General Kitchener's column.
At Bankfontein a telegram was received which announced that Major Davies
had been promoted to the brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel, Major Curry
granted a D.S.O., and Captain Jacson was to be promoted to the brevet
rank of lieutenant-colonel on attaining the rank of major.
A halt was made at Bankfontein from the 8th till the 11th, when the
force refitted, and on May the 12th the column marched to Rondebosch on
the outskirts of Middleburg.
In the early part of May, 1901, a further drive on a large scale was
organized by head-quarters. This was intended to traverse the whole of
the Eastern Transvaal south of the railway. The columns were to be
extended from Middleburg through Carolina up to the Swazi border on the
east, and then, with a circling movement based on Middleburg, gradually
to sweep the country through Ermelo towards Bethel. Having rounded up
all this country, the drive, extending from Bethel on the south to the
Pretoria-Lorenzo railway on the north, was by a combined movement to the
westward, to push all the Boers remaining in this part of the country
with their cattle on to Johannesburg-Springs and the Pretoria-Standerton
railway lines, which were guarded. The movement was under the direction
of Sir Bindon Blood, and his forces consisted of eight columns.
The battalion found itself again under the command of General Walter
Kitchener, forming part of his column, which was composed of the
following troops:--
1st Devonshire Regiment.
2nd Rifle Brigade.
6th West Australians (450 strong).
2nd I.L.H. (800 strong).
Four guns 53rd Field Battery R.A.
One 5-inch gun.
One naval 12-pounder.
Its position in the drive was on the left or outside edge of the circle
of the operations.
The forces were put in motion on the 13th May, on which day Kitchener,
advancing in the direction of the Swazi border, marched to Zaaiplaats
(12-1/2 miles), and thence without incident through Riet Kuil, reaching
Schoonora on the 15th. In the neighbourhood of Schoonora Commandant
Trichardt, with 170 of his followers, was surprised by the Australian
mounted infantry, who killed one Boer and captured 300 head of cattle. A
considerable number of Boers were reported to be in the neighbourhood.
The drifts over which the column had to pass after leaving Riet Kuil
were bad, and only two companies reached Schoonora that night. The
remainder of the battalion, which was rear-guard to the column,
bivouacked with the baggage three miles out of camp near a branch of the
Klein Oliphants River, and joined up with the column next morning. The
following day Mooiplaats was reached, when a large number of cattle and
some families were taken.
On May 16th the column moved to Grobellars Recht. Here the Boers were
found in large numbers under Botha. The 5th and 6th West Australians
whilst operating on the right flank of the column were ambushed, losing
one officer and six men killed and thirteen wounded. The Boers were very
truculent and gave considerable trouble, and the force was not in camp
till dark. It was not, however, disturbed during the night.
The column left Grobellars Recht on the 16th with the 5th and 6th West
Australians as rear-guard, supported by the Devonshire Regiment. The
Boers followed up smartly for some hours, but there were no casualties,
and camp was reached at Kromkrans at about 4 p.m. Smutsoog was reached
the next day. On the march Pulteney's column, which was seen in the
distance, mistaking Kitchener's column for a commando of Boers, shelled
them with field guns. Their shooting was accurate, and it was not till
General Kitchener threatened to send a 5-inch shell at them that they
desisted. Fortunately no damage was done. From Smutsoog the column
proceeded to Goedevervachting, a few Boers sniping the column on the
march.
Much inconvenience was experienced from the cold, as it froze hard every
night.
On the 20th the column marched to Florence, passing Bothwell and Lake
Chrissie, and on the following day reached Veltevreden. Here the 2nd
Rifle Brigade and the West Australians left the column. On the march to
Veltevreden a few Boers were seen, and there was some firing at the
rear-guard.
On the following day a short march brought the force to Uitkyk, where a
halt was made on the 23rd.
On the 24th the column on its march to Schapenberg captured 800 cattle
and 4000 sheep, and five Boers surrendered.
A halt was made on the 25th and 26th at Schapenberg. Here 16,000 sheep,
which were being driven along with the column, were slaughtered. These,
daily increasing in number, hampered the movements of the rearguard on
the march to such an extent, that it was found impossible to drive them
on to the railway; they were therefore slaughtered.
Lekkerloop was reached on the 27th, on which day the I.L.H. captured
twenty-two prisoners. A halt was made at Lekkerloop from the 28th to
31st, during which time the I.L.H. under Colonel Mackenzie were busy
capturing prisoners and clearing the country.
On June 1st the column marched to Bushman's Kop, proceeding on the
following day to Vierwonden, crossing the Theespruit _en route_. The
I.L.H. brought six prisoners into camp with them. The main column halted
at Vierwonden from the 3rd till the 8th, whilst Captain Bartlett left
for Hoilake on the 3rd in command of three companies as escort to a
convoy, and on the 4th Captain Wren was ordered with one company and
five guns to Bonnybraes. On the 9th the column marched to Bonnybraes,
Colonel Mackenzie and the I.L.H. bringing in eighteen Boers and about
400 cattle and some families.
A halt was made at Bonnybraes on the 10th. The column was reunited on
the 11th at Fernyhaugh, and on the 12th marched to Busby, the march
being greatly delayed by a bad drift over the Umpolosi River. Ring Kink
was reached on the 13th, and Woodstock on the 14th. Thirty Boer rifles
were found on Woodstock Farm.
The column was then divided. Seven companies of the Regiment under
Lieutenant-Colonel Davies, with the 2nd I.L.H. and the 5th and 6th West
Australians, left Woodstock at 1 a.m., the remainder of the column
proceeding, under General Kitchener's personal command, further south
towards Bank Kop to round up some Boers reported in that neighbourhood.
Davies' mounted troops captured during the day fourteen Boers, some
families, 100 cattle, 1000 sheep, and six wagons. This column marched
twenty-two miles and camped for the night at Blaukrans, where Colonel
Davies rested his men on the 16th.
Colbank was reached on the 17th, when all mounted troops left to join
Kitchener's column at Bank Kop.
The following day the Regiment marched to Kranspan and joined up with
General Kitchener. The column captured that day several families and
twenty-two Boers. On the 19th the whole column marched in the direction
of Ermelo, and camped for the night on a hill overlooking the town. Camp
was reached at nightfall after a very long, dusty, and tiring march, the
rear-guard getting in after dark.
On the 20th the force marched through Ermelo to Driehook. A number of
Boers followed up the rear-guard, and there was a good deal of firing,
but no casualties. The march was resumed on the following day and
Kranspoort was reached. On the 22nd the column marched to Witbank, the
rear-guard being engaged almost the whole march. A halt was made at
Witbank. The West Australians were here again ambushed, losing two men
killed, one officer and two men wounded, and five taken prisoners.
Three hundred Boers were reported on the left flank at nightfall, and
preparations were made to receive a night attack, which, however, did
not come off. On the following day a dense fog delayed the march till 9
a.m., and it was not till late that Vaal Bank was reached. The
rear-guard, consisting of the Devon Regiment and the 6th West
Australians, was engaged the whole day with the Boers, who followed the
column right up to the new camp. That night the whole Regiment was on
outpost duty.
The rear-guard was engaged heavily the following day during the march to
Bankpan.
Campbell's and Babington's columns were on the immediate right. The
Devons halted for the day at Bankpan, when the 5th and 6th West
Australians left to join Campbell's column at Middlekraal, the 18th
Hussars exchanging over to Kitchener's column.
A night march was made on the 26th for the purpose of surrounding a farm
some eight miles distant. This was accomplished by midnight. No Boers
were taken. The column halted till daylight, when the march was again
resumed, and Erstegeluk reached in the afternoon. A number of Boers were
surprised in the neighbouring farms by the mounted troops; and shortly
after camp was formed, a body of Boers attempted to drive in the
outposts and to attack the camp, but without success.
The following day Bethel was reached, and camp was formed close to
Colonel Babington's column. The 18th Hussars, reconnoitring to the
south-east of Bethel, were surprised by a large party of Boers.
Lieutenant Green, Devonshire Regiment, who was in charge of the Colt gun
attached to the 18th Hussars and which was manned by men of the
Devonshire Regiment, behaved very gallantly in bringing his gun at once
into action and engaging the Boers within a range of 500 yards, thus
covering the cavalry and giving them time to rally.
On June 29th the march was resumed, and the column reached Schurvekop,
the rear-guard receiving a good deal of attention from the Boers. Camp
was formed at Middlekraal on the following day. Here Campbell's column
was again met with.
Middlekraal was left on July 1st, and the column marched in the
direction of Springs. A number of Boers were in the vicinity of the
first camp, Witbank, and the camp was sniped during the night. The
following day the column marched to Bakenlaagte, the scene of the
disaster to Benson's column, the rear-guard being followed up by a few
Boers.
After a short march the following day Grootpan was reached, and at 8
p.m. three companies of the Regiment under Captain Bartlett, and the 5th
and 6th West Australians, made a night march to the south, capturing a
picquet of six Boers early next morning. The column, after a
twelve-miles' march, reached Sondagskraal on the 4th at 1 p.m. On
arrival there news was received that a Boer convoy, accompanied by Louis
Botha, was in the neighbourhood of Trichardtsfontein, about fifteen
miles from Sondagskraal.
General Kitchener determined to intercept this convoy, and for this
reason the following force under his personal command, viz. two
squadrons 19th Hussars, 5th and 6th West Australians, and four companies
of the Devonshire Regiment under Captain Jacson, set out the same
evening. The mounted troops of Colville's column co-operated.
Trichardtsfontein was reached an hour before dawn, when the place was
found deserted. A halt was made there for the day, when Colville's
column left.
[Illustration: Dawn--After a Night March, Trichardtsfontein]
At nightfall several Boers were seen on the hills in the vicinity, and
there was every reason to suppose that a night attack was contemplated
by them. Preparations were made accordingly, but the night was passed
quietly.
At dawn the return march was commenced. The Boers attacked the
rear-guard before it left camp and before it was formed up, and engaged
it the whole way back to Sondagskraal, until finally they came under
fire of the 5-inch gun in position in that camp.
During the preceding thirty-one hours the four companies of the Regiment
had marched forty-two miles.
Whilst this enterprise was being undertaken the remainder of the
battalion, with the transport of the column, had remained at
Sondagskraal under Colonel Davies.
On the 7th the force marched to Goedehoop, and proceeding without
incident on the 8th to Brakfontein, on the 9th to Strypan, reached
Springs on the 10th. The last two marches were long and tiring, and what
little strength was left in the oxen was exhausted. The men likewise
required a rest and a refit after their long trek from Lydenburg, which
had extended through Secoconi's country in the Northern Transvaal, down
south to Middleburg, thence east to the Swazi border and over the
Eastern Transvaal, reaching as far south as Bethel, to Springs, near
Johannesburg. Eighty per cent of the men had on arrival at Springs
neither shirts nor socks, and the bitter cold of the high veldt pierced
keenly through the thin Indian khaki drill. The column required
generally doing up before again "taking the floor." It was expected by
all that the infantry at least would be relieved by a fresh battalion.
But it was not to be, for General Walter Kitchener insisted on the
Devons accompanying him, and his column set out again from Springs on
the 14th on a trek to the north, and without much fighting or incident
reached Middleburg on July 22nd. The country through which the column
passed was cleared of everything living, including Kaffirs.
Three days' halt was allowed the column at Middleburg, and on the 25th a
start was again made for the north. It was now composed as under:--
Four guns 81st Field Battery R.A., under Major Simpson.
One pompom.
19th Hussars.
5th and 6th West Australians.
Half company Scottish Horse.
Half company Mounted Infantry.
Seven companies Devonshire Regiment.
Two companies under Captain Bartlett had left on the 24th July to
garrison Elands River station, on the Pretoria-Lorenzo railway.
The seven companies with General Kitchener marched out 723 strong.
Two other columns were operating with General Kitchener, one under
Colonel Park and the other under Colonel Campbell. The whole were under
the supreme command of General Walter Kitchener.
On the first day out the 19th Hussars captured a pompom and about sixty
prisoners of Ben Viljoen's and Muller's commandos after a very gallant
little action in which five men of the 19th Hussars especially
distinguished themselves. A great number of cattle and many wagons were
also taken, and the Boers lost about twelve killed and twenty wounded.
General Walter Kitchener's column encamped at Rooi Kraal for a few days
before moving to a camp at Diep Kloof, from which place convoys were
sent to the railway for stores for the three columns.
The first of these convoys under Lieutenant-Colonel Jacson left on
August 1st, marched to Middleburg, by Blinkwater and Elandslaagte, and
reached Middleburg in three days; halted one day there to load up, and
returned via Elandslaagte and Noitgedacht to Diepkloof in three more
days, receiving on their return the congratulations of General Kitchener
on their performance.
On the 10th another convoy, again under Lieutenant-Colonel Jacson, with
an escort composed of men of the Devons and Leicesters and some Scottish
mounted infantry and two field guns, started for Wonderfontein.
This convoy consisted of all the wagons of the columns of Colonels Park
and Campbell and General Kitchener, which had to be filled up at the
railway line and brought back.
Waterval was reached on the 10th, Rhenoster Hoek on the 11th, Sterkloop
on the 12th, Uitflucht on the 13th, and Wonderfontein on the 14th.
Slight opposition was met with, and three Boers were captured with
wagons containing a quantity of grain.
The convoy having halted and loaded up on the 15th, started on its
return journey on the 16th.
The journey to Wonderfontein had been up the Steelpoort valley, and the
road had been found difficult. It was very much intersected with
water-courses running off the high veldt, and these necessitated
frequent halts to allow of the passage of the wagons in single file, and
the reclosing up of the convoy after crossing.
A different road over the high veldt, thus avoiding the water-courses,
was chosen for the return journey, and it was perhaps fortunate that
this new road was selected, as it was reported afterwards that Ben
Viljoen had taken up a position at the time in the Steelpoort valley to
intercept the return column.
On the 16th the convoy marched to Panplaats; on the 17th to Roedekop
(where some of Viljoen's men were met with and some more of his grain
carts captured), Blinkwater on the 18th, and Diepkloof on the 19th.
After a few days' scouring of the country round Diepkloof and the valley
towards the Oliphants River, the three columns concentrated at
Blinkwater. Here an entrenched camp was formed under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel Jacson, consisting of the baggage of the three
columns, the hospitals, and most of the field guns, with a garrison
included amongst which were four companies of the Regiment.
Park's and Campbell's columns marched east into the hills in the
Ohrigstadt direction, Park penetrating almost as far as Pilgrim's Rest,
while General Kitchener's column moved south towards Middleburg. On
September 3rd the force was broken up, Colonel Park's column being left
in the neighbourhood of Blinkwater, whilst General Kitchener's column
marched towards the railway at Wonderfontein, which was reached on
September 5th.
On arrival at Wonderfontein it was found that trekking was for the time
being, finished. Orders were received for the Regiment to entrain for
Machadodorp for the purpose of garrisoning the railway blockhouses.
The General's farewell order to the Regiment on its leaving the column
with which it had been so long associated was as follows:--
"COLUMN ORDER BY MAJOR-GENERAL F.W. KITCHENER
"_Wonderfontein, September 5th, 1901._
"It has been the privilege of the Major-General to include the 1st Devon
Regiment in his command since the relief of Ladysmith, and it is with
great regret that he has now to part with the last fighting unit of the
7th Brigade. The reputation earned by the Regiment at Elandslaagte and
Ladysmith is a matter of history. Since that time this excellent corps
has fought and marched in summer rain and winter frost during many long
months, through the length and breadth of the Eastern Transvaal.
"The face of the country will remain for many years scarred with the
trenches they have dug and the works they have made. They have proved on
all occasions what a sound regimental system worked by thoroughly sound
officers, N.C.O.s, and men can do.
"The Major-General and all in number one column wish the Devons good
luck and a pleasant time in the near future."
On September 6th the Regiment entrained. The General and his staff and
the whole column turned out to give the Regiment a hearty farewell.
Machadodorp was reached at about 2 p.m., and all the posts round the
town were taken over from the Royal Irish Fusiliers. The railway
blockhouses in the neighbourhood of Machadodorp were also taken over.
Colonel Davies was appointed commandant of the station, and Captain
Ravenshaw station staff officer.
During September and October six companies were located on the Lydenburg
road as far as Witklip, holding the following posts:--Helvetia,
Schwartzkop, Schoeman's Kloof, Badfontein, and Witklip. Two companies
remained at Machadodorp with the battalion head-quarters.
In October, one company under Captain Holland and Lieutenant Willis,
whilst acting as escort to a party erecting blockhouses in the
Badfontein valley, was attacked by Ben Viljoen and about three hundred
Boers. The Boers galloped down from the hills on to the extended
company. The men behaved with great gallantry, and finally, after a
sharp and mixed-up fight, drove off the Boers. One man of the company
fell into their hands and was stripped and left. Lieutenant Willis, for
gallantry on this occasion, was rewarded with the D.S.O., and
Lance-Corporal Cummings was promoted corporal by the Commander-in-Chief
for gallantry in the field.
During the first week of November, orders were received for the 1st
Battalion to proceed to Standerton _en route_ to India. The 2nd
Battalion had been quartered there for a considerable time, and a
transfer of men was effected from one battalion to the other. The two
battalions spent Christmas together.
[Illustration: Devons En Route to Durban]
On January 1st (1902) the 1st Battalion entrained at daylight for
Durban.
The battalion met with a great reception at Maritzburg, where a halt was
made for nine hours. Here each man was presented by the ladies of that
place with a pipe, half a pound of tobacco, and a pockethandkerchief.
The battalion sailed from South Africa for India, with the following
officers and 922 rank and file:--
Bt. Lieutenant-Colonel T.A.H. Davies, D.S.O.
Bt. Lieutenant-Colonel M.G. Jacson.
Captain E.C. Wren.
" T.C.B. Holland.
" G.H.I. Graham.
Lieutenant T.B. Harries.
" G.I. Watts.
" D.H. Blunt.
" H.R. Gunning.
" S.T. Hailey.
" H.W.F. Twiss.
" E.S.C. Willis.
" W.E. Scafe.
" G.F.A. Kane.
2nd Lieutenant C. Edward-Collins.
" " M.D. Young.
" " C.W. Hext.
" " A.M. Mills.
" " R.C. Wrey.
Brevet-Major and Adjutant H.S.L. Ravenshaw.
Of the above, it may be noted that the following left India with the
battalion in 1899:--
Bt. Lieut.-Colonel M.G. Jacson.
Captain E.C. Wren.
" G.H.I. Graham.
Lieutenant T.B. Harries.
" G.I. Watts.
" D.H. Blunt.
" H.R. Gunning.
" S.T. Hayley.
" H.W.F. Twiss.
Bt-Major and Adjutant H.S.L. Ravenshaw.
The following officers of the battalion remained behind in South
Africa:--
Colonel C.W. Park, A.D.C., commanding a column.
Captain and Bt.-Major E.M. Morris, South African Constabulary.
Captain Bartlett, D.A.A.G. for Intelligence.
" Vyvyan, Provost Marshal, Barberton.
" Travers, South African Constabulary.
Lieutenant-General Lyttleton met the battalion at Howick on its way to
Durban, and wished them "farewell."
The following telegram was received at Durban from Lord Kitchener,
commanding the forces in South Africa:--
"To O.C. 1st Devon Regiment,
Durban.
"From Lord Kitchener,
Johannesburg.
"Please express to officers and men of the Regiment under your command
my high appreciation of their services in South Africa during the war,
which has already enhanced the great reputation of the Regiment. In
bidding you good-bye, I associate myself with all your comrades
remaining in the country in hearty wishes for your future good luck."
It should be added to the records of the battalion, which throughout two
years and three months had fought and marched incessantly in South
Africa, that it had never once experienced the slightest trace of an
"unfortunate incident," and had during that time lost only three
prisoners of war, two of whom lost their way in the dark at Geluk and
marched into enemy's lines, the third having been taken during the
company fight in the Badfontein valley against 300 of Ben Viljoen's men.
The miles traversed by the battalion in the long continuous treks during
the war are summarized as under. The miles are measured off the map
simply from place to place and from camp to camp, and they do not
include the distances marched in fighting, flanking, or other movements,
or in convoy work and expeditions in the Lydenburg district, which, if
included, would probably double the distance marched.
_Trek under Sir Redvers Buller._
August 7th till October 2nd, 1900.
Zandspruit to Lydenburg, 271 miles in 54 days, including all halts.
_Trek under General Walter Kitchener._
April 13th till September 2nd, 1901.
Lydenburg, Secoconi's country, Middleburg, Swazi Border, Bethel,
Springs, Middleburg, Bothas Berg, and country north of the railway line.
1006 miles in 141 days, including all halts.
On the evening of January 1st the Regiment embarked on the s.s.
_Armenian_, and was followed by the 2nd battalion Gordon Highlanders,
who embarked on January 2nd.
On January 3rd the ship conveying the two regiments sailed for Bombay,
which port was reached on January 18th.
Lord Northcote, the Governor of Bombay, received the two regiments on
disembarkation and addressed them, congratulating them on their good
work in South Africa.
The Devons entrained the same evening for Shahjehanpur in the United
Provinces.
The honours gained by the officers and men of the battalion were as
follows:--
1. Colonel Yule to be C.B.
2. Lieutenant-Colonel Park to be Brevet-Colonel and Aide-de-Camp to the
King.
3. Major Davies, D.S.O., to be Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel.
4. Major Curry granted D.S.O.
5. Captain Jacson to be Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel on promotion to the
rank of Major.
6. Captain Norton Goodwyn, D.S.O., to be Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel on
promotion to the rank of Major.
7. Captain Travers granted D.S.O.
8. Captain and Adjutant Ravenshaw to be Brevet-Major.
9. Captain Masterson to be Brevet-Major and awarded the Victoria Cross.
10. Captain E.M. Morris to be Brevet-Major.
11. Lieutenant Emerson granted D.S.O.
12. " Willis granted D.S.O.
_Attached Officers_.
13. Lieutenant Tringham, the Queen's, granted D.S.O.
14. Lieutenant Cowie, Dorset Regiment, granted D.S.O.
The following officers of the 1st Battalion were mentioned in
dispatches:--
Colonel Yule--once.
Brevet-Colonel Park, A.D.C.--twice.
Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Davies, D.S.O.--twice.
Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Jacson--twice.
" " Goodwyn--twice.
Major Curry, D.S.O.--twice.
Brevet-Major Ravenshaw--four times.
" Masterson, V.C.--twice.
Captain W.B. Lafone--twice.
" Bartlett--once.
" Travers, D.S.O.--once.
" Wren--once.
" Smyth-Osbourne--twice.
" Luxmore--once.
Lieutenant Field--twice.
" Emerson, D.S.O.--three times.
" Willis, D.S.O.--once.
" Tringham, D.S.O. (attached)--once.
" Cowie, D.S.O. (attached)--twice.
" Twiss--once.
" Harris--once.
" Green--once.
" Watts--once.
" Gardiner--once.
_Non-commissioned Officers and Men._
The following were granted Distinguished Conduct Medals:--
Colour-Sergeant Payne.
" Horswell.
" Palmer.
" Burnell.
" Webb.
" Aplin.
Sergeant Pitt.
" Downing.
" Hudson.
" Williams.
Lance-Sergeant Poulter.
" Young.
" Rowe.
Corporal Hansford.
Private Boulton.
" Davies.
The following non-commissioned officers and men were mentioned in
dispatches:--
Colour-Sergeant Palmer--four times.
" Payne--twice.
" Horswell--once.
" Burnell--once.
" Webb--once.
" Burchell--once.
Sergeant Hudson--once.
" Downing--once.
" Young--twice.
" Poulter--once.
" Curtis--once.
Lance-Sergeant Rowe--twice.
Corporal Hayes--once (promoted sergeant).
Lance-Corporal Cummings--once (promoted corporal).
Private Brimicombe--twice.
" Norman--three times.
" Cox--twice.
" Smith--once.
" Youlden--once.
" Clay--once.
" Edwards--once.
" Hayman--once.
" Davies--once.
" Hansford--twice.
" Boulton--once.
[Illustration: Monument Erected in Ladysmith Cemetery]
The following is a list of the killed and wounded and of those who died
of disease during the campaign:--
_Officers: Killed._
Captain W.B. Lafone.
Lieutenant Field.
" Dalzel.
" Price-Dent.
2nd Lieutenant Cumin.
" Carey.
Lieutenant Walker, Somerset Light Infantry (attached).
_Wounded._
Captain Lafone--twice.
" Masterson.
" Luxmore.
2nd Lieutenant Twiss.
" " Scafe.
" Kane.
Lieutenant Caffin (attached).
" Tringham (attached).
" Byrne (attached).
2nd Lieutenant Gunning.
" Hayley.
" Green.
_N.C.O.'s and Men._
_Killed and died of wounds and diseases._
Private Taylor, died of disease Ladysmith.
" Forman, killed Ladysmith.
" Salter " "
" Nolloth, died of disease Ladysmith.
" Richards " " "
" Edwards " " "
" Paddon " " Transvaal.
" Hayward " " "
" Morgan, died of wounds "
" Manley, died of disease "
" Goff, killed Transvaal.
" Brockett, killed Ladysmith.
" Cook, died of disease Ladysmith.
" Banfield, died of wounds Ladysmith.
" Sullivan, died of disease "
" Woolacott, died of disease Transvaal.
" Penfold " " "
" Silvester " " Ladysmith.
" Marsh " " "
" Nunn " " "
Lance-Corporal Leonard, died of disease
Ladysmith.
Private Evans, died of disease Ladysmith.
" Parrott, killed Transvaal.
" Arthur, died of disease Transvaal.
" Luck " " "
" Mathews " " "
" Clements " " Ladysmith.
" Seager, died of wounds "
" Connabeer, died of disease "
" Swannell " " "
Lance-Corporal Spear, died of disease.
Private Litton, killed Ladysmith.
" Vinnicombe, died of disease.
" Down " "
" Rowland " "
Lance-Corporal Pratt, killed Ladysmith.
Private Bibb, killed Ladysmith.
" Harvey " "
" Woods, died of wounds received Ladysmith.
" Hornsby, died of wounds received Ladysmith.
Private Milton, died of disease Ladysmith.
" Firminger " " "
" Vicary " " "
" Newbury " " "
" Lane " " "
" Sheridan " " "
" Horswell " " "
Lance-Corporal Vern, killed Ladysmith.
Private Bamsey, killed Ladysmith.
" Fair " "
" Roper " "
" Davidson " "
" Curtis " "
" Marden " "
" Brown " "
" Newcombe " "
Lance-Corporal Pigeon, died of wounds
received Ladysmith.
Private Bevan, died of wounds received
Ladysmith.
Private Page, died of wounds received
Ladysmith.
Private Vern, died of disease.
" Rosser died of disease.
" Clotworthy " "
" Turner " "
" Ponting " "
" Rawbone " "
" Jeffries, died of wounds.
" Young, died of disease.
" Davidson " "
" Cunningham " "
Lance-Corporal Murfin, died of disease.
Private Livermore " "
Corporal Wright " "
Private Humphrey, killed.
" Bowles, died of disease.
" Watts " "
" Meade " "
" Phillips " "
" Kingham " "
" Winsor, killed Reitfontein.
" Mayne, died of disease.
" Tayler " "
" Pike " "
" Trenchard " "
" Salter, killed Geluk.
" Cole " "
" Mcgrath " "
" Smith " "
" Lashbrook, died of wounds.
" Rowe, died of disease.
" Holmes " "
" Conian " "
_N.C.O.'s and Men Wounded._
Private Bidwell.
" Turner.
" Pirouet.
" Spiller.
" Laycock.
" Wright.
Col.-Sergeant Webb.
Corporal Shapland.
" Bradford.
Lance-Corporal Millward.
Lance-Corporal Bennet.
Lance-Corporal Whitman.
Private Cox.
" Norman.
" Palmer.
" Webber.
" Lemon.
Private Lock.
" Hutchings.
" Bevan.
" Orchard.
" Spreadbury.
" Barnett.
" Cox.
" Hay.
" Page.
" King.
" Saunders.
" Wheaton.
" Stapley.
" Brazil.
" West.
" Onyett.
" Winson.
" Dudley.
" Lott.
" Hornsby.
" Fordham.
" Turner.
" Varndell.
" Mower.
" Taylor.
Colour-Sergeant Burchell.
Sergeant Williams.
" Hawkins.
Corporal Lovell.
" Saunders.
Private Lupton.
" Harford.
" Parrott.
" Mahoney.
" Allen.
" Curtiss.
" O'Brien.
" Brown.
" Gray.
" Anstey.
" Lucas.
Sergeant Leach.
Private Capp.
" Gander.
Private Gregory.
" Reynolds.
" Devitte.
" Osmonde.
" Burge.
" Newton.
" Reed.
Lance-Corporal Bromford--twice.
Private Rowe.
" Sussex.
" Ward.
" Smith.
" Easton.
" Legatt.
Col.-Sergeant Palmer.
Private Bray.
Lance-Corporal Spear.
Private Kean.
" Welch.
" Peckham.
Lance-Corpl. Quick.
Private Burns.
" Simmons.
" Palmer.
Total number of killed and wounded and died of disease:--
Killed and died of disease. Wounded.
Officers 7 12
N.C.O.'s and men 91 85
Total casualties 195
A large memorial is erected to the memory of those who fell on January
6th at Wagon Hill, Ladysmith, on the spot where the charge took place.
It bears the following inscription:
To the glory of God,
and in memory of
the following Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers,
and Men of the
1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment,
who fell in the gallant and
successful charge made across this
place by three companies during the
fight on 6th January, 1900.
Siege of Ladysmith.
Captain W.B. Lafone.
Lieutenant H.N. Field.
Lance-Corpl. J. Pigeon.
" " W.D. Pratt.
" " A. Vern.
Private T. Bamsey.
" A. Bevan.
" J. Bibb.
" W. Brown.
" A. Curtis.
" W. Davidson.
Private W. Fair.
" W. Harvey.
" E. Hornsby.
" T. Litton.
" H. Marden.
" W. Newcombe.
" F.W.J. Page.
" G. Roper.
" J. Seager.
" W. Woods.
Lieutenant E.E.M. Walker, Somerset Light Infantry
(attached).
"Semper Fidelis."
A marble monument is erected in Ladysmith cemetery to those who were
killed or died of disease during the siege of Ladysmith, and their names
are recorded on it. A small iron cross was also placed at the head of
the grave of every man of the Regiment who was killed or who died of
disease during the war.
These memorials were erected by the officers, non-commissioned officers,
and men of the 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, to the memory of their
gallant comrades.
WILLIAM BRENDON AND SON, LTD. PRINTERS,
PLYMOUTH
End of Project Gutenberg's The Record of a Regiment of the Line, by M. Jacson