My squadron of the Imperial Light Horse, which had been operating for
several months with Luderitzbucht, German South-West Africa, as a base,
finally left on 13th December, 1914, with the Natal Carabiniers and
two machine-guns. We went to Rooikop, where we camped for the night,
and the following morning marched on to our advance camp at railhead.
Here we found some infantry and mounted men belonging to the Kaffarian
Rifles and Nesbitt's Horse. The force marched out from railhead at
sundown, trekked all night, and arrived at Tchukaib at two o'clock in
the morning. About half-past seven in the evening of the same day,
after having watered our horses, we marched out, having left all
spare kit, greatcoats, mess-tins, and so on, in camp. We travelled
until about one o'clock in the morning, when we off-saddled, linked
horses, and lay down to rest. In about two hours' time we got orders to
up-saddle and move on. Strict orders were given not to strike matches,
or make any unnecessary noise. We arrived within sight of Garub Station
just before daylight on December 16th, 1914, and halted behind some
kopjes for about half an hour or so.
During this halt most of us discarded our tunics and strapped them on
our saddles. We then marched on, keeping to the north of the railway
line, until about a mile beyond the railway station, where we passed
the pumping-station, which had been completely destroyed by the enemy.
My troop (No. 2, D Squadron, Imperial Light Horse) now got orders
to trot up in front of the column. We crossed the railway line and
proceeded back towards the station, on the south of the line.
We were next instructed to march towards the kopjes to the southeast,
and my section was sent in front, scouting. I rode on about six or
seven hundred yards in front of the troop, and then I noticed some
other men being sent forward, so I took the right flank with my
section. We now crossed three sand-dunes. In crossing the third I
noticed some fresh spoor, which indicated that the enemy had passed
shortly before towards the kopjes in front. Just as we neared the top
of the fourth dune a single shot rang out, and almost immediately
after the Germans opened a murderous enfilading fire from rifles and
machine-guns. I gave orders to my section to retire, and we galloped
towards our troop, but had only covered about a hundred yards or so
when my horse got hit and I fell heavily on my head.
How long I remained senseless I am unable to say, but when I regained
consciousness I found I was not alone. Trooper Joyner, belonging to my
section, lay about five yards from me, and nearer the enemy. I asked
him if he was hit, but got no reply. I tried to raise myself, but felt
a severe pain across the small of my back. My first thought was that
I had been hit there, and I put my hand round, but could discover no
indication of a wound. I then dragged myself forward towards Joyner,
but when I got alongside him I saw that he was dying and quite beyond
human aid. I decided the best thing to do was to get hold of my rifle,
which was lying about seven yards to my rear.
Having secured the rifle, I banked up some sand with my hands and made
a small sangar, behind which I took up my position. All this time heavy
firing was going on, and bullets were continually dropping in the sand
all around me. Our men had now got a Maxim in position immediately
behind where I was lying, and there seemed to be a duel going on over
my head between it and one of the enemy's machine-guns.
The Germans were very well concealed, and I could see little to shoot
at, but I had an occasional "pot" at anything I thought was moving on
the kopje. I afterwards found out that there were about two hundred
Germans, some of whom were on the top of the sand-dune, which was only
two hundred and fifty yards away. Some of the enemy must have seen me
from their position, for presently I got a bullet right through my hat,
which made me sit pretty tight. Needless to say I promptly removed the
injured headgear and put it beside me.
The firing continued for nearly three hours, during which time I did
not know what was happening, as I could not see our men. I then heard
a loud cheer from the direction of the enemy's trenches, and soon
afterwards the fire seemed to die away, and I could distinctly hear
voices in front. Next I saw five men galloping towards me from my right
flank. At first I thought they were my own men, but as they came closer
I discovered they were the enemy. I then realized, for the first time,
that our fellows had retired, and that I was surrounded.
I lay where I was until the Germans came up to me, and they proceeded
to disarm me by taking away my rifle, bayonet, and bandoleer, which
they examined carefully for dum-dum bullets. They also took my
haversack, which contained my rations, and my field-glasses. Two of
them then assisted me towards the station, where I found a large number
of the enemy off-saddled. These men were reinforcements from Aus, and
it was their arrival that had caused our force to retire. They numbered
about a thousand, with two Maxim guns. As I approached the station a
German officer came riding past. He pulled up his horse and frowned at
me. "You are Imperial Light Horse, D Squadron," he growled. "You were
at Kolmaaskop. You ---- dog!" Then he rode on.