Tuesday 31 December 2019

POWs - Overseas Colonial Contingents

This post, using data collected by The Register, shows the numbers of captures of men from the Overseas Colonial Contingents - Australia, Canada, India, Ceylon and New Zealand. This includes those listed as "missing". There are 311 captures representing 309 individuals. Two men were captured twice:

Pte 201 FH Muir, 1st Queensland MI - Kroonstad June 5th and Elands River Post August 6th, 1900.
Sgt-Mjr 1 JG Price, 1st Queensland MI - Onverwacht Janaury 4th, 1901 and Familie Hoek December 6th, 1901 (as RSM 311 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen.

The vast majority of data comes from the official published casualty rolls, but other captures have been gleaned from a variety of sources. Undoubtedly other names will appear with more research.


Two men do not have an exact capture date:
Pte Hemry, New South Wales Mounted Infantry (SAFF Casualty Roll)
Sgt 110 E L'Estrange, 1st NZ Mounted Rifles (London Daily News of September 4th, 1900 as having returned to Warm Bath August 30th)

Captures By Unit
Unit Casualty Type Total
Australian Commonwealth Horse Prisoner of War 3
Australian Horse Prisoner of War 4
Australian Horse Prisoner of War - Escaped 1
Canadian Mounted Rifles Missing 1
Canadian Mounted Rifles Missing - Rejoined 21
Canadian Mounted Rifles Prisoner of War 2
Canadian Mounted Rifles Prisoner of War - Released 6
Canadian Scouts Missing 1
Canadian Scouts Prisoner of War - Released 3
Lumsden's Horse Prisoner of War 11
New South Wales Citizens Bushmen Missing - Rejoined 1
New South Wales Citizens Bushmen Missing - Released 2
New South Wales Citizens Bushmen Prisoner of War 7
New South Wales Citizens Bushmen Prisoner of War - Released 1
New South Wales General Staff Prisoner of War - Released 1
New South Wales Imperial Bushmen Missing - Rejoined 5
New South Wales Imperial Bushmen Missing - Released 1
New South Wales Imperial Bushmen Prisoner of War - Escaped 1
New South Wales Imperial Bushmen Prisoner of War - Released 8
New South Wales Lancers Prisoner of War 10
New South Wales Mounted Infantry Prisoner of War 1
New South Wales Mounted Infantry Prisoner of War - Released 7
New South Wales Mounted Rifles Missing - Rejoined 1
New South Wales Mounted Rifles Prisoner of War 7
New South Wales Mounted Rifles Prisoner of War - Released 14
New Zealand Missing - Rejoined 1
New Zealand Prisoner of War 1
New Zealand Mounted Infantry Prisoner of War 31
New Zealand Mounted Infantry Prisoner of War - Released 5
New Zealand Mounted Rifles Missing - Rejoined 3
New Zealand Mounted Rifles Prisoner of War 1
New Zealand Mounted Rifles Prisoner of War - Released 2
New Zealand Rough Riders Prisoner of War 2
Queensland Imperial Bushmen Prisoner of War 1
Queensland Imperial Bushmen Prisoner of War - Escaped 1
Queensland Imperial Bushmen Prisoner of War - Released 28
Queensland Mounted Infantry Missing - Released 1
Queensland Mounted Infantry Prisoner of War 12
Queensland Mounted Infantry Prisoner of War - Released 2
Canadian Field Artillery Royal Missing 1
Canadian Field Artillery Royal Missing - Rejoined 1
Canadian Dragoons Missing 1
Canadian Dragoons Prisoner of War - Rejoined 1
Canadian Regiment Of Infantry Missing - Rejoined 2
Canadian Regiment Of Infantry Missing - Released 5
Canadian Regiment Of Infantry Prisoner of War 1
Canadian Regiment Of Infantry Prisoner of War - Released 2
South Australian Citizens Bushmen Prisoner of War - Released 3
South Australian Imperial Bushmen Prisoner of War 3
South Australian Mounted Rifles Missing 1
South Australian Mounted Rifles Missing - Rejoined 3
Strathcona's Horse Missing 3
Strathcona's Horse Prisoner of War 11
Strathcona's Horse Prisoner of War - Released 2
Tasmanian Bushmen

Tasmanian Contingent Missing - Rejoined 1
Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen Prisoner of War 1
Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen Prisoner of War - Escaped 1
Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen Prisoner of War - Released 2
Tasmanian Mounted Infantry Prisoner of War 10
Tasmanian Mounted Infantry Prisoner of War - Released 1
Victorian Bushmen Missing 6
Victorian Bushmen Prisoner of War 1
Victorian Mounted Infantry Missing - Rejoined 2
Victorian Mounted Infantry Prisoner of War 10
Victorian Mounted Infantry Prisoner of War - Released 2
Victorian Mounted Rifles Missing 3
Victorian Mounted Rifles Missing - Rejoined 1
Victorian Mounted Rifles Prisoner of War 9
West Australian Bushmen Prisoner of War 1
West Australian Horse Prisoner of War 1
West Australian Mounted Infantry Missing 3
West Australian Mounted Infantry Prisoner of War 5

Captures by Unit and Location


Date Location Unit Number Captured
16/01/1900 Rensburg Australian Horse 3
16/01/1900 Slingersfontein Australian Horse 1
16/01/1900 Slingersfontein New South Wales Lancers 9
09/02/1900 Jasfontein Tasmanian Mounted Infantry 4
12/02/1900 Hobkirk's Farm Victorian Mounted Infantry 11
20/02/1900 Paardeberg Canadian Regiment Of Infantry 1
24/02/1900 Kuilfontein Tasmanian Mounted Infantry 1
05/03/1900 Auchteetarn Tasmanian Mounted Infantry 5
06/03/1900 Slingersfontein New South Wales Lancers 1
21/03/1900 Not stated Canadian Regiment Of Infantry 2
26/03/1900 Arundel New South Wales Mounted Rifles 2
31/03/1900 Koornspruit New Zealand Mounted Infantry 17
31/03/1900 Koornspruit Queensland Mounted Infantry 5
07/04/1900 Spytfontein New South Wales Mounted Rifles 1
23/04/1900 Bloemfontein (2) Canadian Mounted Rifles 3
23/04/1900 Karrefontein South Australian Mounted Rifles 1
30/04/1900 Bloemfontein (2) Canadian Regiment Of Infantry 4
30/04/1900 Houtnek Victorian Mounted Infantry 1
30/04/1900 Houtnek Victorian Mounted Rifles 1
30/04/1900 Os Spruit Lumsden's Horse 10
01/05/1900 Karee Siding Victorian Mounted Rifles 1
01/05/1900 Marendellas Canadian Field Artillery Royal 1
04/05/1900 Kareekloof Victorian Mounted Rifles 1
05/05/1900 Bloemfontein (2) Canadian Mounted Rifles 4
10/05/1900 Kroonstad Canadian Regiment Of Infantry 2
10/05/1900 Nr Kroonstad West Australian Horse 1
10/05/1900 Virginia Kopje Australian Commonwealth Horse 3
10/05/1900 Virginia Kopje Australian Horse 1
20/05/1900 Lindley New South Wales Mounted Rifles 1
23/05/1900 Nr Kroonstad South Australian Mounted Rifles 1
23/05/1900 Nr Pretoria Victorian Mounted Rifles 1
26/05/1900 Driefontein West Australian Mounted Infantry 4
27/05/1900 Houtnek South Australian Mounted Rifles 1
28/05/1900 Nr Johannesburg South Australian Mounted Rifles 1
29/05/1900 Nr Pretoria Victorian Mounted Rifles 3
29/05/1900 Pretoria Canadian Regiment Of Infantry 1
04/06/1900 Nr Pretoria Canadian Mounted Rifles 1
05/06/1900 Kroonstad Canadian Mounted Rifles 2
05/06/1900 Kroonstad New Zealand Mounted Infantry 1
05/06/1900 Kroonstad Queensland Mounted Infantry 3
12/06/1900 Pretoria New South Wales Mounted Rifles 1
22/06/1900 Katbosch Canadian Mounted Rifles 5
28/06/1900 Lindley South Australian Imperial Bushmen 3
30/06/1900 Spitzkop (3) New South Wales General Staff 1
01/07/1900 Waterval Strathcona's Horse 2
05/07/1900 Greylingstad Strathcona's Horse 6
05/07/1900 New Denmark Strathcona's Horse 2
05/07/1900 Pienaars Poort Victorian Mounted Rifles 3
11/07/1900 Bethlehem West Australian Mounted Infantry 1
12/07/1900 Plat Kop Strathcona's Horse 4
13/07/1900 Rietvlei Canadian Mounted Rifles 1
16/07/1900 Rhenoster West Australian Mounted Infantry 2
16/07/1900 Rietvlei New Zealand Mounted Infantry 1
16/07/1900 Witpoort New Zealand Rough Riders 1
18/07/1900 Pretoria Lumsden's Horse 1
19/07/1900 Bloemfontein (2) Canadian Mounted Rifles 1
19/07/1900 Paardeplaats New South Wales Mounted Rifles 1
21/07/1900 Kosk's River West Australian Bushmen 1
21/07/1900 Koster River Victorian Bushmen 1
21/07/1900 Rustenburg (1) New South Wales Citizens Bushmen 2
22/07/1900 Kosk's River New South Wales Citizens Bushmen 5
25/07/1900 Klerksdorp Tasmanian Mounted Infantry 1
26/07/1900 Rietvlei New Zealand 1
26/07/1900 Rietvlei New Zealand Mounted Infantry 17
01/08/1900 Magato Nek Victorian Bushmen 2
01/08/1900 Not stated New South Wales Mounted Infantry 5
05/08/1900 Elands River Post New South Wales Imperial Bushmen 5
06/08/1900 Elands River Post Queensland Mounted Infantry 2
11/08/1900 Nr Horensnek New South Wales Mounted Rifles 2
12/08/1900 Kaalfontein Queensland Imperial Bushmen 1
12/08/1900 Kaalfontein Queensland Mounted Infantry 1
12/08/1900 Kaalfontein Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen 1
18/08/1900 Buffelshoek South Australian Citizens Bushmen 3
19/08/1900 Otto's hoop New South Wales Imperial Bushmen 1
27/08/1900 Otto's hoop New South Wales Imperial Bushmen 4
31/08/1900 Not Known New South Wales Mounted Infantry 1
01/09/1900 Badfontein (1) Strathcona's Horse 1
01/09/1900 Warm Bath Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen 1
02/09/1900 Elands River New South Wales Citizens Bushmen 3
02/09/1900 Elands River Queensland Mounted Infantry 1
02/09/1900 Elands River Victorian Bushmen 4
05/09/1900 Nooitgedacht Canadian Mounted Rifles 6
08/09/1900 Nr Thabanchu Victorian Mounted Infantry 2
10/09/1900 Nr Rustenburg New South Wales Mounted Infantry 1
12/09/1900 Malopo Oog New South Wales Citizens Bushmen 1
29/09/1900 Doornlaagte Queensland Imperial Bushmen 1
07/10/1900 Nr Wonderfontein Canadian Dragoons 1
24/10/1900 Zeerust New South Wales Imperial Bushmen 1
27/10/1900 Jacobsdal (1) Tasmanian Contingent 1
02/11/1900 Nr Belfast Canadian Field Artillery Royal 1
07/11/1900 Nr Belfast Canadian Dragoons 1
10/11/1900 Nr Frederikstad Strathcona's Horse 1
11/11/1900 Ventersdorp New Zealand 1
08/12/1900 Wolmarans Drift New South Wales Imperial Bushmen 4
04/01/1901 Onverwacht (1) Queensland Imperial Bushmen 1
16/01/1901 Nr Avontuur Victorian Mounted Rifles 1
07/02/1901 Not Known New South Wales Mounted Rifles 2
13/02/1901 Zwartkopjes Queensland Mounted Infantry 3
19/03/1901 Nr Winburg Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen 2
27/03/1901 Rondal New Zealand Rough Riders 1
07/04/1901 Nr Pietersburg New Zealand Mounted Rifles 1
16/05/1901 Grobbelaar Recht West Australian Mounted Infantry 1
24/05/1901 Nr Bethel New Zealand Mounted Rifles 1
01/06/1901 Blesbok Spruit New Zealand Mounted Rifles 1
03/06/1901 Rietspruit (2) Queensland Imperial Bushmen 2
06/06/1901 Graspan (2) New South Wales Mounted Rifles 1
21/06/1901 Kaffirstad Victorian Mounted Rifles 1
03/07/1901 Waterval Randbergen New South Wales Mounted Rifles 1
13/07/1901 Witkopjes New South Wales Mounted Rifles 1
15/07/1901 Wonderfontein Queensland Imperial Bushmen 1
25/07/1901 Palmietfontein (9) Queensland Imperial Bushmen 1
26/07/1901 Nr Heilbron New South Wales Mounted Rifles 2
29/07/1901 Grunvlei New South Wales Mounted Rifles 1
10/08/1901 Roberts Drift New South Wales Mounted Rifles 1
17/08/1901 Zaaihoek New South Wales Mounted Rifles 1
31/08/1901 Zand River New South Wales Mounted Rifles 1
25/09/1901 Vaalkrans New South Wales Mounted Rifles 1
27/09/1901 Bastersdrif New Zealand Mounted Rifles 1
27/09/1901 Mokari Drift Queensland Imperial Bushmen 12
12/10/1901 Kromdraai Canadian Scouts 3
13/10/1901 Niemandskraal New South Wales Mounted Rifles 1
21/11/1901 Nr Castrol Nek New Zealand Mounted Rifles 1
23/11/1901 Familie Hoek Queensland Imperial Bushmen 2
06/12/1901 Familie Hoek Queensland Imperial Bushmen 3
20/12/1901 Nr Tafel Kop (5) New South Wales Mounted Rifles 1
04/01/1902 Onverwacht (1) Queensland Imperial Bushmen 6
13/02/1902 Nr Rolfontein Victorian Mounted Rifles 1
25/03/1902 Nr Klerksdorp Canadian Mounted Rifles 2
27/03/1902 Tafelkop Canadian Scouts 1
31/03/1902 Boschbult Canadian Mounted Rifles 4
15/04/1902 Oorbeitjesfontein Canadian Mounted Rifles 1
31/12/2009 Not stated New South Wales Mounted Infantry 1
31/12/2009 Not stated New Zealand Mounted Rifles 1

Thursday 7 November 2019

Bakenlaagte - After the battle

On 30th October, 1901 Boer commandos comprehensively defeated the rearguard of a British column, killing its commander, Colonel Benson RA, and effectively putting the column out of action. This battle, at Bakenlaagte, Eastern Transvaal, is well known and well studied.

On this day (7th November), Major NE Young, RFA, a British Staff officer in Pretoria sent off a report to Lord Kitchener, the British Commander-in-Chief in South Africa. Kitchener forwarded it to the War Office, London who later released it to the newspapers.

Kitchener had asked Major Young to report on the:

 "the conduct of the Boers to the officers and men wounded in the action with Colonel Benson’s column at Bakenlaagte".

This is copied from the Morning Post, 13th December 1901, from FindmyPast. The report is worth careful reading and some research to consider the claims made by the British soldiers.

"Bakenlaagte Wounded

Ill-Treatment by Boers

The War Office has issued the following letters and reports relating to the ill-treatment of the British wounded at Bakenlaagte by the Boers.

From Lord Kitchener to the Under Secretary of State for War
Pretoria, Nov. 9.

Sir – I have the honour to enclose a report by Major Young, DSO, Royal Field Artillery, respecting the conduct of the Boers to the officers and men wounded in the action with Colonel Benson’s column at Bakenlaagte. – I have, &c.,
Kitchener

From Major NE Young, DSO, Royal Field Artillery, to the Military Secretary, Army Headquarters.
Pretoria, 7th November, 1901.

Sir, - I have the honour to report that, in accordance with your instructions, I have seen the wounded officers and men of Colonel Benson’s column now at Elandsfontein.

Out of a total of 147 wounded non-commissioned officers and men seen by me 54 had not been in the hands of the Boers. Of the remaining 93 men, 18 informed they had nothing to complain of, and in some cases they had met with kind treatment of an active nature. All represented that the commandant and those in subordinate command had protected the wounded in their immediate neighbourhood.

Seventy-five non-commissioned officers and men made complaint of ill-treatment of a more or less serious nature; nearly all of these had been robbed of whatever money they possessed, also of their watches and private papers. A very large proportion stated that their boots had been removed, and in those cases where the leg had been broken this caused intense agony. One man, Trooper Jamieson, of the Scottish Horse, whose arm was shattered, suffered terrible pain from the way in which his bandolier was removed; his arm has since been amputated. Many had been deprived of other articles of clothing, hats, jackets, and socks, in some cases being left with an old shirt and a pair of drawers only.

One man, Gunner Masham, 84th battery Royal Field Artillery, was deprived of £3, a watch and chain, and his warm jacket and shirt; the process of removing the latter was very painful, as he was shot in the chest. Sergeant Ketley, of the 7th Hussars, attached to the Scottish Horse, states that after having been wounded in the head and hip was shot with his own carbine in the arm by a Boer who was kneeling over him because he was unable to raise his arms when ordered to do so.

There are two evidences, Private Prickett, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, and Corporal Gower, 4th battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 25th Mounted Infantry, to the fact that a man named Private Foster of their corps was killed at five yards’ range, though he had put up his hands in token of surrender and was unarmed.

There is a consensus of evidence that the wounded lying around the guns were fired on by Boers, who had already disarmed them, for a long period after all firing in their neighbourhood from our side had ceased. This was done whenever a wounded man moved, and in this way Captain Lloyd, a Staff Officer, who had been wounded in the leg, met his death. Corporal Atkins, whose fingers had been shot away, states that he was ordered to show how to work the gun, but got off on representing that he could not stand.

Such of the officers as fell into the hands of the Boers met with similar treatment to the men. Lieutenant Bircham, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, informed me that while he was travelling in the same ambulance as Lieutenant Martin, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, since deceased, the latter told him that while he was lying on the ground with a shattered thigh his leg was twisted completely round so that the spur could be more easily taken off.

Even the late Colonel Benson was not respected. Though he was protected for some time by a man in authority, eventually his spurs, gaiters, and private papers were removed.

I forward herewith two specimen rounds of ammunition taken from the bandolier of a wounded Boer by Private Robinson, 2nd Scottish Horse. They are Mauser cartridges.

I attach statements taken down by me from the officers and men in relation to the most serious cases. I was impressed with the idea that the statements made to me were true and not wilfully exaggerated, so simply were they made. There seems no doubt that, though the Boer commandants have the will, they no longer have the power to repress outrage and murder on the part of their subordinates. – I have, &c.,
NE Young, Major, Royal Field Artillery.

Officer’s Report

Captain CW Collins, Cheshire Regiment:
“I was signalling officer to Colonel Benson on the 30th October. I was wounded, and lying near the guns about a hundred yards in rear of them. A Field Cornet came up, and went away without molesting me. AT about 5:30pm, or a little later the ambulance came and picked me up; my ambulance went some distance further, and Colonel Benson and some men were put in it. There seemed a lot of delay, which annoyed the colonel, and he asked to be allowed to get away. The delay, however, continued till a Boer came and took away Colonel Benson’s documents from his pocket, notwithstanding his protest they were all private papers, and that they had been seen by a commandant earlier in the day, who said they were not required. This man said it was all right; if they were private they would be returned.
CW Collins Captain
2nd Batt. Cheshire Regiment”

Lieutenant Bircham, 4th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps, states:
“That he was in the same ambulance wagon as Lieutenant Martin, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (since deceased) and that the latter told him that when he (Lieutenant Martin) was lying on the ground wounded the Boers took off his spurs and gaiters. In taking off his spurs they wrenched his leg, the bone of which was shattered, completely round, so as to be able to get at the spurs more easily, though Lieutenant Martin told them where he was hit.
HM Bircham
Lieutenant King’s Royal Rifle Corps”

Lieutenant G Acland Troyte, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 25th Mounted Infantry, states:
“I was wounded on October 25 in a rearguard action with Colonel Benson’s force, near Kaffirstad. The Boers came up and stripped me of everything except my drawers, shirt, and socks; they gave me an old pair of trousers, and later a coat. They left me some time to see if our ambulance would; as it did not they took me into a farmhouse, used as a temporary hospital, and there treated me as well as they could. Commandant Grobelaar’s family were there. There were also a sergeant and two privates in the same room. They had also been stripped, but were well treated in the house. They took a silver watch and gold ring. I was removed in the ambulance two days after.
G Acland Troyte
Lieutenant”

Lieutenant Reginald Seymour, 1st Batt. King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 25th Mounted Infantry, states:
“On 30th October my company was sent back to the support of Colonel Benson’s rearguard. We occupied a hill on the right of the guns. I was wounded early in the day. In the evening, the company being ordered to retire, I was left behind with three others, two non-commissioned officers and one private; this was about 6pm. The Boers came up immediately. They took my greatcoat, gaiters, spurs, and helmet; they took the money and watches from the other wounded, but left them their clothes except the coat of one man. They then left us without assistance. Two Boers afterwards returned and took away a greatcoat belonging to one of our men which had been left over me. We were removed a few hours later in the ambulances. One of the party who stripped us was addressed by the remainder as commandant, but I did not know his name.”

Men’s Statements

Private E Rigby, 4th Batt. King’s Royal Rifle Corps, states the Boers took all his clothes except his shirt. This man is not quite able to speak yet.

No. 33262 Trooper Hood 2nd Scottish Horse, states:
“I was wounded on 30th October with Colonel Benson’s rearguard.. While I was lying on the ground the Boers came up and stripped me of my hat and coat, boots, 15s., and a metal watch. I saw them fire at another wounded man as he was coming to me for a drink. The guns were not removed until the ambulances cam up; as I was siting in the ambulance, it then being dusk, I saw them take off the guns. The ambulances were detained till twelve o’clock at night before returning to camp.”

No. 33345 Trooper Alexander Main, 2nd Scottish Horse, states:
I was wounded on the 30th October with Colonel Benson’s reargaurd. While lying on the ground the Boers came close up and stood about fifteen to twenty yards from where we were lying wounded round the guns. All were wounded at this time, and no one was firing. I saw the Boers there fire at the wounded. Captain Lloyd, a Staff Officer, was lying beside me wounded in the leg at this time; he received one or two more shots in the body, and shortly afterwards he died. I myself received three more wounds. I got into camp by myself.”

Trooper No. 33265 Jamieson, Scottish Horse says:
“The Boers took his boots and they hurt his shattered arm in a terrible manner while getting off his bandolier. His arm has been removed.”

No. 6127 Private Parrish, 1st battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps, states:
“On 30th October, while I was lying wounded, the Boers came and took my boots off. An officer of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, who was a prisoner, remonstrated, and they threatened to shoot him. Our ridge was not firing any more, but whenever a wounded man showed himself they fired at him. In this way several were killed; one man who was waving a bit of blue stuff with the idea of getting an ambulance received about 20 shots.”

No. 31362 Private Robertson, 2nd Battalion Scottish Horse, states:
“He has no complaints except the loss of 30s., he took two rounds with split bullets handed to me from a wounded Boer’s bandolier who was lying beside him.”

No. 2563 Private Prickett, 4th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps, states:
“On the 30th October I was lying wounded with Colonel Benson’s rearguard. I saw the Boers come up, and an old Boer with black beard and whiskers, and wearing leggings, whom I should be able to recognise again, shot my friend, Private F. Foster, 4th Batt. King’s Royal Rifle Corps, by putting the muzzle of his rifle to his side. Private Foster had been firing under cover of an ant heap till the Boers took the position; he then threw away his rifle to put his hands up, but was shot all the same. When any of the wounded moved on the field after we had stopped firing they kept sniping at them.”

No. 33360 Private N.H. Grierson, Scottish Horse states:
“On 30th October I was wounded and lying by the side of Colonel Benson. When the Boers came up they wanted to begin to loot; Colonel Benson stopped them, telling he had received a letter from Commandant Grobelaar, saying the wounded would be respected. Colonel Benson asked if he could see Grobelaar; they said they would fetch him, and bought up someone who was in authority, but I did not think it was Grobelaar. Colonel Benson told him the wounded were not to be touched, and he said he would do his best; he himself protected Colonel Benson for about an hour, but he was still there when a Boer took off Colonel Benson’s spurs and gaiters; then the ambulance came and we were removed. I did not see the gun removed. I was with Colonel Benson’s rearguard on 30th October, 1901 just as I had mounted to change position I was hit in the right arm. I then dropped my rifle, being unbale to hold it, and turned towards the ambulance. I had to pass some Boers as I was galloping, and two or three of them shot me at about seven yards range, hitting my horse. These men must have seen I was wounded already.”

No. 4398 Sergeant Ketley, 7th Hussars, states:
“On 30th October I was attached to the 2nd Scottish Horse with Colonel Benson’s rearguard. I was wouned in the head and hip just before the Boers rushed the guns. I was covered with blood. A Boer came up, took away my carbine and revolver and asked me put to put up my hands. I could not do this, being too weak with the loss of blood. He loaded my own carbine and aimed from his breast while kneeling and pointing at my breast, he fired and hit me in the right arm just below the shoulder. Nothing was taken, and I was not touched anymore.”

No. 2439 Private Bell, 4th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 25th Mounted Infantry states:
“I was wounded through the hip with Colonel Benson’s rearguard on the 30th October; when the Boers came up they took my boots off very roughly, hurting my wounded leg very much. I saw them taking watches and money off other men.”

No. 4153 Private C. Connor, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, states:
“I was attached to the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, I was lying beside the guns among a lot of our wounded who were not firing. Every time one of our wounded attempted to move the Boers fired at them; several men (about ten or eleven) were killed in this way. The Boers took boots and jacket. I was wounded in the hip.”

9564 Corporal P. Gower, 4th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 25th Mounted Infantry states:
“I was on 30tjh October with Colonel Benson’s rearguard; I was wounded and unconscious, when I came to the Boers were stripping the men round me; a man, Private Foster, who was not five yards from me, put up his hands in token of surrender but was shot at about five yards’ range by a tall man with a black beard; he was killed. They also fired on the wounded after the latter had ceased firing.”

No. 6153 Corporal Atkins, 84th Battery Royal Field Artillery, states:
“I was with Colonel Benson’s rearguard on 30th October, when the Boers came up to me and said, “Can you work this gun?” I said, “Yes.” He said, “Get up and show me.” I said, “How can I, I have on ehand taken away and I am wounded in both legs.” – this last was not true. He then said, “Give us your boots.”: he took them and my mackintosh. He took what money was in my belt. One of our men, Bombardier Collins, got up to try and put up a white flag as we were being fired at from the camp and by the Boers; as soon as he got up they began shooting at him. I saw a Kaffir fire three shots from about thirty yards off. ”

No. 15771 Bombardier Collins, 84th Battery Royal Field Artillery, states:
“When lying wounded near the guns after the Boers had been up to them I tried to raise a white flag as our own people were dropping their bullets close to us. When I did this they fired at me.”"

END.

Sunday 27 October 2019

Tribute Medals: Borough of Barnsley

On eBay a Borough of Barnsley Tribute medal has been sold for £545. This medal is in Hibbard but when he published 1982 only one example was known to a "L-Cpl H Pearson".

The medal sold, the second example known, is to "Pte W Crossland".

The inscription does not identify the unit of the recipient. Hibbard states that  "L-Cpl H Pearson" served in the volunteer company, Yorks & Lancs Regiment. As Hibbard details Pearson's WW1 service in the Army Service Corps one may assume that the tribute medal named to him comes with Pearson's campaign medals.

"L-Cpl H Pearson" was Harry Pearson, 2 volunteer battalion York & Lancaster Rgt. His service number for South Africa was 7047. Pearson was born in Barnsley.

Following this line the medal just sold is to Willie Crossland also of the 2 volunteer battalion York & Lancaster Rgt. His service number for South Africa was 7026. Crossland was born near  Barnsley.

The inscription reads:

 'PRESENTED BY THE MAYOR & CORPORATION OF THE BOROUGH OF BARNSLEY TO PTE W CROSSLAND FOR SERVICES RENDERED DURING THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA AUG 22 1902'

A search of British Newspapers Archive has failed to turn up a newspaper report on the award. It is unknown if all the recipients were from the 2nd volunteer battalion Yorks & Lancaster Rgt or inhabitants of Barnsley.

To estimate the number of this Barnsley Tribute medals I used FindmyPast.  I searched for all men born in Barnsley, Regiment = "York and Lanc*", Service Number = 70*, Year = 1900; there are 23 hits. This is inexact as Willie Crossland is indexed by FmP for "Huddersfield", yet his papers show he was born in Gilroyd Dodson [?], Barnsley.

Sunday 6 October 2019

Bridging the Thukela, February 1900

As the Boers advanced into Natal they destroyed railway bridges and culverts, one such bridge was that over the Thukela (Tugela) river at Colenso.


The besieged town and northern Natal was isolated from railway traffic. The Boers held the Thukela river line as a defensive position from December 1899 to February 1900. British forces under General Sir R Buller VC made three failed attempts before gaining a foothold across the river to the east of Colenso on February 21st, 1900. Ladysmith was relieved six days later on the 27th.

While the battles raged on the hills just north of the river work began to build a railway bridge over the Thukela. Ladymith had been besieged since 28th October 1899 and, after four months, the garrison and civilians were starving, food and medical supplies would be needed immediately the siege was lifted. The river was within range of Boer artillery, yet civilians form the Natal government's Public Work Department, were bought in to do the work instead of using Royal Engineers. As it was the Engineers had built two pontoon bridges across the Thukela here under fire.


Work was begun on February 24th by one sub-overseer and 17 “mechanics”, their names are recorded on the medal rolls (WO100/279p238).  Supplies for the bridge were sent from Durban and work was expected to be completed in fourteen days. The bridge was was 600ft long and 30 ft high. In the end the bridge was completed in 20 days, a searchlight was lent by the Royal Engineers (who used some civilians themselves to operate the light) to allow work to continue at night. On two occasions the Boers shelled the bridge, no casualties or significant damage was recorded.




The first train to cross the bridge on March 19th was the Princess Christian ambulance train.


Each man who worked on the construction of the bridge was sent a congratulatory letter, the transcript reads:

"Public Works Department
Pietermaritzburg 24th March 1900

Re-Construction of the Tugela Bridge

As you were employed on the re-construction of the Tugela Bridge, I have much pleasure in informing you that in an open letter, COLONEL RAWSON, R.E. was good enough to make the following satisfactory remarks:
“The Bridge was finished in good time to allow the waggons proceeding to Ladysmith to supply the wants of the town as it was relieved, and it was with much pleasure that I conveyed to Mr Rennie and the men working with him, the commendation of the Commander in Chief, Sir REDVERS BULLER on their excellent work.”
I need hardly say That I add my own acknowledgement of your good work, especially having regard to the fact that for some two days you were under shell fire.

Signed
JFR Barnes
Chief Engineer
Pub Works Department

To: Mr A Campbell"

Plans to re-build the bridge, and others destroyed by the Boers, were well advanced. British newspapers reported on the plans. The original railway bridge had been constructed in 1877 by the Patent Shaft and Axletree Company located in Wednesbury, a suburb of Birmingham. This company had also built the railway bridge at Frere which the Boers destroyed as well. They were awarded the contract to build a new bridge, an American company also tendered for the contract offering to build the bridge quicker, but the Government decided to stick with the original builders. The Shrewsbury Chronicle reported on the 19th January that the first span had been completed and inspected and was planned for despatch to Durban in the week. All the spans, five for Colenso and two for Frere were anticipated to be completed in six weeks. The spans would be a total of 735 feet in length and weigh about 740 tons.

Note on Sources
All the men involved in building the trestle bridge can be found on The Register.

Newspaper reports can be found in:
The Scotsman 26-02-1900
South Wales Daily News 24-02-1900
Western Morning News 24-02-1900
Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser 22-03-1900 - reported the Princess Christian ambulance train crossed on the 21st March.
Bromyard News 22-03-1900
Bury Free Press 06-01-1900

Image of the destroyed bridge is in the public domain.
Image of the trestle bridge under construction is from With the Flag to Pretoria p458
Image of the Princess Christian ambulance train crossing is from the Digital Railway Images of South Africa

An actual copy of the letter sent to the building crew can be seen on this thread.