Imperial Yeomanry

(1) The Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry

The Boer War started on 11th October 1899. A volunteer force of mounted infantry called the Imperial Yeomanry (IY) was formed, made up of Companies raised on the existing Yeomanry Regiments. The Warwickshire Yeomanry raised Number 5 Company, and this was embodied in the 2nd Battalion IY. They sailed to South Africa on 1st February 1900 and served until May 1901, acquitting themselves well in numerous duties and engagements, suffering casualties of 2 officers and 10 men during the campaign. A second contingent was raised from the Regiment in early 1901, forming 103 Company.

The uniform was a khaki Norfolk jacket and corduroy breeches, puttees and boots with spurs. They were armed with a pistol, a Lee Metford rifle and a sword. Ammunition was carried in a bandolier across the chest.

Meanwhile back in Warwickshire the Regiment began to be issued with khaki field service uniform for the first time at annual camp in 1901. In that year the Yeomanry Force was renamed, as a whole, the ‘Imperial Yeomanry’ to reflect the service of its volunteers in South Africa. This title remained until the absorption of the Yeomanry into the new Territorial Force that was formed in 1908 when the word ‘Imperial’ was dropped. Training was now more exacting, firstly in the mounted infantry role and then in regular cavalry duties. This further raised the efficiency of the Regiment and enabled it to perform conspicuous service in World War 1.

 (2) In October 1899, the Boer War started. During the first month of the conflict the War Office was approached by Lord CHESHAM and other Yeomanry Officers about raising a force of Yeomanry for service in South Africa. However, it was not until the disastrous action at Colenso [1] on 15 December 1899, that agreement was reached to reinforce the regular Cavalry with volunteer Yeomanry. The Corps to be called “The Imperial Yeomanry” was formed by Royal Warrant dated 24 December 1899, it comprised of one volunteer Squadron from each Yeomanry Regiment, and these were to be grouped into Battalions. The Warwickshire Yeomanry Squadron was numbered 5th Company (Warwickshire), 2nd Battalion Imperial Yeomanry.

Recruiting for the Squadron commenced on 1 January 1900: each man was required to pass a medical, be aged between twenty and thirty-five years old, and qualified to a required standard in riding and marksmanship. On the 29 January 1900, the Warwick Squadron was completed with five officers and 116 other ranks, all volunteers.

ADDERLEY [2] records ‘that the departure of the Squadron from Warwick was witnessed by a large crowd of friends and spectators who gave them a hearty farewell. Officers and men (except for Lieut. FORBES, who joined at Cape Town from India) paraded in 3 sections near Shire Hall, Warwick at 2pm; for a short Farewell Service with prayers conducted by Rev. Canon RIVINGTON. 

Major ORR-EWING read the following telegram from Queen Victoria in reply to a Message of Loyalty from the Squadron: “The Queen thanks the Warwickshire Company of Yeomanry Cavalry for their assurances of loyalty and determination to do their duty. Her Majesty wishes them success.”

The reading of the telegram was received with rousing cheers and the men then took their places in tramcars which conveyed them to Milverton Railway Station, where they entrained for Liverpool.

They sailed with the other Squadrons in the Battalion on the S.S. Lake Erie from Liverpool on the 1 February 1900; the first time Yeomanry had served overseas. Of the 300 hundred horses taken by the Squadron forty-four were lost on the journey. The men were equipped with a Webley pistol and the Lee Metford Rifle. Their uniform comprised a slouch hat, a khaki serge Norfolk jacket, corduroy breeches, puttee gaiters and laced boots with spurs. Ammunition was carried in a bandolier worn across the body. Officers carried three-bar hilt swords and the men the bowl hilt sword.

They arrived at Cape Town on 25 February and marched to Maitland Camp, about five miles out and remained there until 9 March, when they entrained for De Aar.

[1] Much has been written on the Battle of Colenso on 15 December 1899 including the findings of the Royal Commission of Enquiry in London in 1902/3 ‘where they were asked why an apparently one-sided conflict could have cost so much in terms of men, money and material.’

OWEN CROZIER’s book ‘The Anglo-Boer War – The Road to Infamy 1899 -1900’ published in 1996 is well worth reading for it includes Colenso and examines the findings of the Commission in some detail.

[2]‘History of the Warwickshire Yeomanry Cavalry’ compiled by The Hon. H.A. ADDERLEY. (Late Captain W.Y.C.)

(3) The Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry Squadron sailed with the other Squadrons in the 2nd Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry on the S.S. Lake Erie from Liverpool on the 1 February 1900; the first time Yeomanry had served overseas.

The following are several extracts from ‘With the Warwickshire Yeomanry in South Africa’ by Lieutenant Meynell HUNT of the 5th Company (Warwickshire) 2nd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry from February 1900 to June 1901[1]:

1st Feb 1900 – ‘We have on board four Companies 2nd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry:

21st Cheshire 121 officers and men 54 horses*

22nd Cheshire 121 officers and men 9 horses*

32nd Lancashire 123 officers and men 123 horses

5th Warwickshire 121 officers and men 121 horses.

*The other horses for these two Companies being got at Cape Town.

The horses are all in stalls below deck. The men’s mess deck is one below. The mess tables hold twelve each. All sleep in a hammock swung from below the ceiling which are put away in the daytime.’

2nd Feb 1900 – ‘Had a splendid night slept like a top. Up at Reveille 6.30am; round stables - arranged the messes for our Company. After breakfast had a hunt through all the baggage rooms for lost packages, and distributed to the various Companies tobacco, books and papers…… The weather is perfect the boat goes very well. All the men are well, or nearly so, and the horses are keeping remarkably fit.’

3rd Feb 1900 – ‘Raining fast; the wind getting up a little. A glorious sea, though they say we are out of the Bay, but it all looks exactly the same to me…… We had a heavy job getting fodder up for the horses today – it has to be hauled by rope and pulley out of the hold and corn for 300 horses for two days means work.’

4th Feb 1900 – ‘Another glorious day – Reveille at 6.30am, round stables, everyone busy. The scene on the horse deck is most interesting – all the horses some 300 on the same deck, all packed in very narrow stalls so as to prevent them from being knocked about and in the gangway hundreds of men all doing something. Some are told off to water, others to feed horses and the rest to sweep up and keep the place tidy, therefore by 7.45am all is done and then breakfast at 8am……. The sea is glorious tonight, the moon is out, and the reflection on the water passes all description. We are going at about 12 knots an hour between 250 and 270 miles every twenty-four hours. We assembled for Church Parade at 9am – the whole Battalion – but the wind was so strong that the thing had to be given up, as we could neither hear nor stand still, the roll of the vessel being heavy although it was a beautiful morning. ‘

5th Feb 1900 – ‘We shall not reach Las Palmas till 11am; Tuesday. The number of letters that are being posted is enormous, and all are being sent unstamped. Who is paying for them I don’t know?’

6th Feb 1900 -’ I paid all the 5th Company (Warwickshire) for the first month January. About 5.30pm land was sighted which ought to have been done the night before.’

7th Feb 1900 ’Finished last night as we ran into the bay – was hardly in bed before being informed that Orders had been received to proceed to the Cape without delay and inside twenty minutes we were under way.’ The Government Tug having collect the bags of letters. Got up at 6am this morning – nothing but sea. We are in a heavy sea today – taking us from S.W. sideways and as we sink in the trough of the sea, so the water is far above us. I wonder sometimes if she will ever right herself. Several of horses were ill and this rough sea just settled it, two dying and being thrown overboard. There are several more blowing very hard – congestion of the lungs.’

1 ‘With the Warwickshire Yeomanry in South Africa’ was published in 1902. Reprints of this book can be found in America and India – see www.abebooks.co.

2‘History of the Warwickshire Yeomanry Cavalry’ compiled by The Hon. H.A. ADDERLEY. (Late Captain W.Y.C.) was published in 1922 and includes an account of the 5th Company (Warwickshire) 2nd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa.

(4) The Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry Squadron sailed with the other Squadrons in the 2nd Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry on the S.S. Lake Erie from Liverpool on the 1 February 1900; the first time Yeomanry had served overseas. They arrived in Table Bay on the 24th February 1900.

The following is an extract from Trooper Rudolph VALINTINE’s handwritten diary who served with the 5th Company Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry [1]:

“Feb.23rd Fed Horses. On Main Guard from 9am to 9am tomorrow. A ship passed us early this morning: we signalled her with rockets, and she signalled back that she was 24 hours from Cape Town, and 17 (19) knots a Union Liner. We overhauled a cattle boat conveying mules in the evening. Saw 2 or 3 albatross. Night very rough.

Feb 24th Came off Guard at 9am. Paraded in full marching order at 10am. Heavy fog came at about 11am cleared about 3pm, leaving land in sight: capital view of the coast right down until we dropped anchor in Table Bay at 7.30pm. Table Mountain grand spectacle.

Feb 25th Slept on deck, woke up to find blankets and everything wet through.

Feb 27th P.S. We marched from the Lake Erie yesterday and came into camp here at Maitland 4 & half miles march in all. I was on guard over the horses last night, the beggars were tied in knots all the time, as there were about 20 horses tied to each rope, and all the pegs came up. We get dry bread and coffee for breakfast, meat and potatoes for dinner, dry bread and tea for tea, so that the living is pretty hard. I hear we are going up country on Thursday, probably to Kimberley. I expect we shan’t get our clothes off, except for baths, till we get on board again. It is very hot in the daytime and very cold at night.”

Lieutenant Meynell HUNT records in his diary [2]

“Feb 25th 1900 was awakened this morning by hearing a bell going every few minutes, and at 5.15 turned out to see what the excitement was. Found it was raining hard, with a thick mist; so, the bells were going as a warning. At 9am the mist was gradually clearing so that by 11am the scene was perfect. In the background the huge Table Mountain (three thousand six hundred feet) with a smaller one beside it, the Devil’s Mount (three thousand two hundred feet) and clustered at the foot of the town – all along low houses, running for miles along the shore, and in the harbour and bay itself hundreds of huge vessels, nearly all transports lying in lines as far as you can see – a most inspiring sight.”

On the 25th the Disembarking Officer came off in a tug and informed the Colonel – the quay was blocked we would disembark at 9am on the 26th. *

“Feb 27th1900, Maitland Camp 4 miles from Cape Town: We steamed into the dock at 9am on Monday 26th, the Canada coming in at the same time with a great crowd of men – the Oxfords and Bedfords. The scene all day was most exciting and certainly began to look like War in earnest. We got all, our things off and then the horses – by four in the afternoon the boat was empty and cleared the quay, the baggage going up by mule wagon, and the men leading the horses. It must have been a heavy march as each man had to carry his rifle as well. The horses came off wonderfully well, and without exception got up here all right. I came up on the last wagon, after seeing all off, not getting to the camp between six and seven o’clock. This is a huge cavalry and artillery camp, with thousands of men here: six or eight batteries, and about six battalions of mounted infantry.”

ADDERLEY [3] records on arrival in Cape Town they marched to Maitland Camp, about five miles out and remained there until 9th March, when they entrained for De Ar.

1] VALINTINE’s Boer War Diary can be viewed upon request in the Museum. His story can be found in: ‘Snitterfield Heroes’ by Bob FOSTER.

Captain Rudolph VALENTINE M.C. was seriously wounded commanding ‘B’ Squadron, Warwickshire Yeomanry on 8th November 1917 in the last classic unsupported British Cavalry Charge at Huj against Guns in Palestine, he died of his wounds on the 12th. and is buried in Beersheba War Cemetery in present day Israel.

[2]‘History of the Warwickshire Yeomanry Cavalry’ compiled by The Hon. H.A. ADDERLEY. (Late Captain W.Y.C.) was published in 1922 and includes an account of the 5th Company (Warwickshire) 2nd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa.

[3] ‘History of the Warwickshire Yeomanry Cavalry’ compiled by The Hon. H.A. ADDERLEY. (Late Captain W.Y.C.)

OBSERVATION

*The supporting photos of Table Bay were taken in April 1901 by Trooper Alfred Leonard HITCHEN’ who served with the Warwickshire Squadron of the 5thCompany Imperial Yeomanry from April 1901 to May 1902. His photograph albums can be viewed in the Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum upon request.

  (5) The Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry Squadron sailed with the other Squadrons in the 2nd Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry on the S.S. Lake Erie from Liverpool on the 1st February 1900; the first time Yeomanry had served overseas. They arrived in Table Bay on the 24th February, disembarking on the 26th, marching to Maitland Camp, about five miles out from Cape Town and remained there until 9th March, when they entrained for De Aar. See enclosed Map of South Africa.

Lieutenant Meynell HUNT records in his diary [2]

“9th March 1900 - Written on train from Maitland for De-Aar. I am going to write a few lines in the train this being all the paper I have. Tuesday I was going into Cape Town, but we had about 150 remounts come in for the 2nd Battalion, and so I stopped to help choose them, and as we are to leave on the 8th I got a bit of packing done. Next day the 7th, I got a list of commissions and the wagons, when at 12 o’clock orders came from the Brigade Officer at Maitland, that the 22nd and 2nd Bn Staff had to leave that afternoon for the front. Imagine the rush. All my Cape Town business was off, of course. I had a fatigue party of twenty men, and while the 22nd Company (the Cheshires) were saddling and packing their kits, I had the tents down. And by six o’clock I had left the camp with seven wagon loads of baggage for the station, getting there at eight o’clock in the evening. All the horses were loaded in trucks by the time I arrived, and all was straight by nine. I had one of the wagons over my toe at the station, the mules backing. Fortunately, it did not hurt me much, but my foot is a bit like my head – thick.

As I had had no dinner or tea I went into town (as Quartermaster-Sgt I fortunately had that privilege), and very thankful I was – three cups of tea, ham and eggs and cake. I also bought two pounds of Huntley and Palmers biscuits and Cadbury’s coco. Just back in time, as the men were entraining – everything was in three days rations for men and horses. I have a very comfortable carriage first-class, there are six of us. Two bunks let down from the top, so two sleep there, two on the seats, one on the floor and the sixth scraps in where he can.

This is now nine o’clock, Friday morning the 9th, and we have been travelling since ten at night on the 7th. We saw nothing of the country till six o’clock the next morning, when it was very interesting, hills everywhere. The clearness of the atmosphere is remarkable: the mountains stand out on the skyline with wonderful distinctness. There is not a blade of grass in the country: all scrub (small bushes hardly as big as gooseberry bushes) and sand. Every river course is quite dry, and whole way up from the Cape every bridge is guarded by soldiers, who are in camps of different sizes. We went over a mountain, and it was interesting and curious the way we wound round the side of the hill; it must have wanted a lot of engineering.

Meynell HUNT records later in his diary for the 9th March 1900:

“The rest of Battalion the 32nd Lancashires and the 5th Warwicks follow us on the 8th that is the day after we left. The weather is gloriously hot. We never wear a coat – just shirt and breeches, sleeves turned up - half of us unshaven for days.”

Meynell HUNT arrived at De Aar at 9pm on Friday 9th March 1900.

The following is an extract from Trooper Rudolph VALINTINE’s handwritten diary; he served with the 5th Company Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry [1]:

“10th March 1900 - Travelling in the train - we started entraining yesterday morning. Have got our horses (130) and our baggage waggon with its team of eight mules and two ponies, all our saddlery, camping out kit, all the officer’s baggage with enough provisions for a fortnight for horses and men so you can imagine it’s a pretty long train.” Kit bags have been left at base – only have essential kit.

“The train rocks fearfully, so it is hard to write legibly. I am in first class saloon with PEACH, SPENCER, BULLOCK, HILL, WILKINSON, SEYMOUR and CROOKE and as we have each subscribed a little, bought all sorts of luxuries such as veal, condensed milk, jam, etc we are all right.

The horses are in cattle truck, 20 in a truck, it is an awful job watering them, putting their feedbags on. You have to crawl about on their backs, occasionally they let you through, you get jolly well squeezed.

OBSERVATION

[1] VALINTINE’s Boer War Diary can be viewed upon request in the Museum. His story can be found in: ‘Snitterfield Heroes’ by Bob FOSTER.

Captain Rudolph VALENTINE M.C. was seriously wounded commanding ‘B’ Squadron, Warwickshire Yeomanry on 8th November 1917 in the last classic unsupported British Cavalry Charge at Huj against Guns, he died of his wounds on the 12th and is buried in Beersheba War Cemetery in present day Israel.

[2]‘With the Warwickshire Yeomanry in South Africa’ was published in 1902. Reprints of this book can be found in America and India – see www.abebooks.co.

(6)  Lieutenant Meynell HUNT records in his diary :

“De Arr 11th March 1900 – The 5th (Warwicks) arrived here about half-past ten this morning from Maitland and are now camped with us on the plain. More sand! A whirlwind sailed through the lines today, eddying round and round like a great funnel, and going up into the heavens until quite lost to sight. Fortunately, it missed us, but ran through the lines of Nesbitt’s Horse which lay alongside of us, but they say ’wait until you see a good one, and then talk - I hope I shan’t. We are told it sweeps along and rips the tents clear up into the air, in some cases carries them for a hundred yards. There are lots of things we miss in good old England. The heat awful during the day – unbearable – but at night very cold, while you at home have snow and frost.”

Trooper Rudolph VALINTINE, 5th Company Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry writes :

“De Arr 12th March 1900 - I have just five minutes before the post leaves, here and so will tell you change in our plans. Instead of going to Naauwpoort as arranged, we

were detrained at De Arr and are going to Britstown tomorrow under command of Lord KITCHENER to fight the rebels there who have risen 3,000 in all, so that we are soon going to have some fun.

We have to stop in our tents all day, as it is so hot and you can’t do anything outside, it is as cold as anything at night-time, so that it is rather trying to know how to dress. The life out here is all right, but it is a bit rough, and you never know when you are going to get your next meal. We have a 31-mile march to Britstown and of course we shall march all night and off saddle all day. “

(7)  Trooper Rudolph VALINTINE, 5th Company Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry writes:

“16th March 1900 – We left De Arr on the afternoon of Tuesday 13th and got into Spreifontein at 8pm; 17 miles in all. It was raining when we got in and we off saddled after watering the horses at a big pan. We linked them together in sections and slept opposite them, our greatcoats on our saddles for pillows. As it rained nearly all night you can imagine it was all right. However, we were routed at 3.45am next morning, were mounted by 5.15am and got into Britstown at 3.30pm, about 20 miles all together. The heat in this march was awful, but the horses stood it well, poor beggars only three small feeds of corn a day for them.”

“Out again Thursday morning and marched 23 miles to Houwater, got in about 2.30pm. To late to catch the enemy however who had got away before we came in, after poisoning the well. The Staffordshires took seven prisoners and killed 16 horses with a shell. 

It was arranged here halt all day Friday, but four of us Lieut. FORBES, TIMMS, TUCKER and myself were told off for scouting duty: galloping into kopjes, and over the tops of mountains in a boiling sun, was about the last straw towards breaking the camel’s back and when I got into camp, I was very sick, in fact for about six hours I had terrible dysentery.”

VALINTINE records he was ill on the march the following day (Saturday) and Major ORR-EWING put him on one of the Royal Artillery gun carriages for the last 12 miles before arriving at Drywater and he then slept under a wagon. “The enemy are entrenched about 18 miles from here, we were called to arms at 11.30pm as some of our sentries fired on some scouts of theirs who were prowling about the camp. 

Today is Sunday, thank goodness, a day of rest, not before our horses need it.”

(8)  Trooper Rudolph VALINTINE, 5th Company Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry writes:

“29th March 1900 – We have slept in the open since the 14th when we left De Arr . We took Prieska on the 20th – 1,000 of us, under Lord KITCHENER, but the rebels gave us no trouble as they evacuated the place, so we hoisted the good old Union Jack there again. We collected about 80 prisoners but dealt very leniently with them. We had three days of fearful weather while on the march – pouring in torrents all the time and no shelter to get into. Jack SPENCER and I slept one night up to our hips in water, being thoroughly tired we slept hard. We have had great fun commandeering sheep, fowls, tea, tobacco etc out of the rebel’s houses. I have had my usual bad luck – two doses of dysentery (told to stop behind at 2 places but struggled on), now I am under orders to lie down for two or three days, as I got kicked on the kneecap while dressing a horse’s sore back. We keep expecting to have a fight with the rebels, but I think they are a bit gun-shy, so we have to be contented taking ammunition wagons, prisoners, arms etc. We shall be marching for another month and are in all probability going to Kimberley.”

Lieut. Meynell HUNT, 5th Company Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry writes :

“Monday 19th March 1900 - Up this morning at a quarter to three, and were all on the march before five o’clock – the dustiest I ever was in. Coming about twelve miles, we arrived here about eleven o’clock, when the whole of the cavalry under Colonel MAUDE were pushed on towards Prieska. They took three days rations, and do not expect to get back until tomorrow, and if they take the place, we shall push on to them at once. I am glad to say that the water here is very good, which is a comfort, when I tell you they found a dead horse in the water we had been drinking at the last place!”

Lieut. Meynell HUNT, (right) 5th Company Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry writes :

“Monday 19th March 1900 - Up this morning at a quarter to three, and were all on the march before five o’clock – the dustiest I ever was in. Coming about twelve miles, we arrived here about eleven o’clock, when the whole of the cavalry under Colonel MAUDE were pushed on towards Prieska. They took three days rations, and do not expect to get back until tomorrow, and if they take the place, we shall push on to them at once.

 I am glad to say that the water here is very good, which is a comfort, when I tell you they found a dead horse in the water we had been drinking at the last place!”

(9)  ADDERLEY  records that ‘on the 15th they arrived at Houwater and found that 2000 Rebels had just left. After two days rest a fresh start was made early on the 17th to Omdraai Vlei, where they camped over 

Sunday 18th March.

At 5am the following morning Lord KITCHENER despatched the Squadron (as part of the Flying Column), to endeavour to catch the Rebels at Prieska, but they were only successful in taking a few prisoners.’

 22nd March 1900.

They continued their march westward. Lord KITCHENER left for Bloemfontein.‘Very wet weather was then experienced, which caused considerable delay, and sickness amongst the men, and after a long and trying march Draghoendar was reached by Sunday, 25th.

Trooper Rudolph VALINTINE, 5th Company Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry writes :

30st March, 1900.

Draghoendar - ‘We have been in camp here now for six days. It is rather lucky though as Lieut. FLOWER has dysentery, very badly, this is allowing him to get over it. We are having an awfully hard time- about the remotest point from civilisation; feel fit as a fiddle.'

Lieut. Meynell HUNT, 5th Company Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry writes :

Saturday 24th March 1900. 

The Flying Column which travelled 44 miles, ‘lost between thirty and forty horses, which dropped dead or dying but no one stopped, it was on, and on. The dust was so thick that you could not see your horse’s head. Fancy, mile after mile, no one speaking a word, and a force of between two thousand and three thousand horses. As they arrived in sight of Prieska the Boers galloped away, leaving the town on the other side.’

27th March 1900 Draghoendar 

‘We had an awfully wet night, the camp in one hour was one sheet of water, although high and sandy, everyone wet through again. Our wagon was our salvation, keeping us quite dry, about the only dry place in camp.

29th March 1900 Draghoendar

‘this place consists of a store and two or three houses. The store is very funny; it is absolutely denuded of everything but castor oil, mustard, and tinned beef. A farmer came into today with a lot of fowls, milk, butter, and a few things, which were bought up at once, you may be sure. He has promised to bring some bacon in the morning for me; hope he will.’

Enclosed is a picture of the British Military Cemetery at Draghoendar with graves for the Anglo-Boer War.

Also enclosed is a cropped picture of some of the 5th Company, Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry which was taken at De Arr on 26th February 1901 after one year’s service in South Africa. The bulk of the men in this picture are part of the original contingent, whilst BROWN, 365 MOORE and THOMAS arrived during 1900 with the 16th Draft.

(10) The Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry Squadron, the 5th (Warwicks), 2nd Bn I.Y. landed in Cape Town, South Africa on 26th February 1900, they entrained for De Arr on the 9th March and after a series of enforced marches were camped at Draghoendar, Cape Colony by Sunday, 25th March.

ADDERLEY’ records that ‘at the beginning of April the Rebels had moved north of the Orange and there was no further sign of the Rebellion to the south of the river’ with the Scheme of Operations being directed to the north of the Colony in which the Warwickshire Yeomanry took an active part.

Trooper Rudolph VALINTINE, 5th Company Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry writes :

31st March 1900 Draghoendar 

 ‘We have orders to saddle up tomorrow, so I suppose we shall march to Kenhardt, from there to Kimberley. Whether we shall be sent up country with Lord ROBERTS, or down to Cape Town I do not know, they seem to think the latter as we have had a very rough time. We are 200 miles from a railway station, before we finish, we shall be further off still.

‘The country is covered with nothing but little bushes about a foot high and the mimosa bush, which is about three foot high, covered with long poisonous thorns.’

Lieut. Meynell HUNT, 5th Company Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry writes :

31st March 1900 Draghoendar – ‘Orders have come in that we march for Kenhardt tomorrow, so goodbye to all our temporary comfort, as on the march we have no time for anything other than bully and biscuit. However, neither is not at all bad.

Another blazing hot day, not a cloud in the sky – one vast expanse of blue, while the clearness of the atmosphere is surprising. I am afraid we shall have to leave Lieut. FLOWER at this place – he is very bad and does not look a bit like getting fit in time to move with us. I am going over to see him this afternoon.

2nd April 1900 Wittsput (three miles from Draghoendar) – We had a terrible storm last night, lightning and thunder for hours and pouring in torrents.’ ‘Although the rain came down so hard, and the water rushes down any road or gully in torrents, by 12 o’clock this morning everything is dried up as if they had never seen such a thing as water.’ ‘We draw rum or lime juice nearly every day for the troops as we get little or no vegetables.’

4th April Wittsput – The farm we are on belongs to a widow named Jacabus, some eighteen thousand acres managed by her two sons, with very little contact with the world beyond their farm. ‘No wonder in this outlandish country they believe any tales the Boer Rebel Leaders tell them, there is no one to set them right. They get no papers here, no authentic news - not until our arrival with troops and guns did it dawn on them that there were two sides to the question.’

Enclosed is a picture of the 5th Warwickshire Squadron Imperial Yeomanry watering horses whilst on trek.

The original photograph along with others, can be seen in the Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum upon request. It was taken by Trooper Alfred Leonard HITCHIN who served with the second contingent from April 1901 to May 1902.

(11) The Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry Squadron, the 5th (Warwicks), 2nd Bn I.Y. landed in Cape Town, South Africa on 26th February 1900, they entrained for De Arr on the 9th March and after a series of enforced marches arrived at Kenhardt on the 11 April 1900.

ADDERLEY records that ‘at the beginning of April the Rebels had moved north of the Orange and there was no further sign of the Rebellion to the south of the river’ the Scheme of Operations was then directed to the suppression of the Rebels on the north bank of the river. Lt.-General Sir Charles WARREN had been appointed Governor of the Northern Cape and Col. ADYE was deputed to act in the Prieska District on the northern bank of the Orange River for 30 miles north of Prieska, or as far north as Kheis. Col. ADYE was at Drachoender ‘– see map.

Trooper Rudolph VALINTINE, 5th Company Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry writes:

8th April 1900 Wittsput 

‘Up saddled at 2pm and moved to farm 6 miles off – camped here overnight.’

9th April 1900 

‘Monday. Up saddled 3am and rode 9 miles to small watering place, fed horses, had some breakfast after which marched 15 miles to camping ground for the day.’

10th April 1900

‘Left here at 6am. Lost our way, had to march 14 miles before we could get anything to eat or drink. Good camping ground finally.’

11th April 1900 

‘Very bad night, eleven times passing blood slime. Unable to ride so travelled 12 miles to Kenhardt in Boer wagon with GIBBS. Rough journey. Went into Australian Hospital.

12th April 1900

‘In Hospital – feeling better. Plenty of visitors.’

13th April 1900

‘Rained all night, but tent kept wet out. Rather better cooking for the others’

14th April 1900 

‘Moved out of tent mid-day to house in Kenhardt deserted by the Rebels’

15th April 1900

’Easter Day – very bad night. Slept on the flagstones in house. Came out of hospital.’

‘Lieut. Meynell HUNT, 5th Company Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry writes:

14th April 1900 

Saturday – ‘We left Wittsput on Sunday 8th April at 4pm with the 5th Company and 2nd Bn. Staff, five wagons and ammunition cart. We only had to march about 8 miles that day as the next watering place is 9 miles on past there.

‘The distance from Wittsput to Kenhardt is 66 miles a mere nothing in England but the difference in this country is great.’

Meynell - HUNT describes that on the last day into Kenhardt ‘We had to cross six or eight dry riverbeds, the wagon wheels sinking into the hubs frequently – when we all, that is the baggage guard – have to get off our horses and push for our lives. This happens at frequent intervals each day, under a blazing sun of some hundred odd degrees.’

‘Arriving at Kenhardt about 2pm we pitched our camp about a mile out of town on a hill overlooking it. A battery of New South Wales men are here, the guns commanding the town.’

Enclosed is a picture of the 5th Warwickshire Squadron Imperial Yeomanry whilst on trek.

The original photograph [1] along with others, can be seen in the Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum upon request. It was taken by Trooper Alfred Leonard HITCHIN who served with the second contingent from April 1901 to May 1902. 

OBSERVATION

[1]Trooper Alfred Leonard HITCHIN’s Photograph Album – Volume 1. He served with the 5th Company (Warwicks) 2nd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry.

  (12) The Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry Squadron, the 5th (Warwicks), 2nd Bn. I.Y. landed in Cape Town, South Africa on 26th February 1900, they entrained for De Arr on the 9th of March and after a series of enforced marches arrived at Kenhardt, Northern Cape Province on the 11 April 1900.

ADDERLEY records that ‘at the beginning of April the Rebels had moved north of the Orange and there was no further sign of the Rebellion to the south of the river’ the Scheme of Operations was then directed to the suppression of the Rebels on the north bank of the river.

Trooper Rudolph VALINTINE, 5th Company (Warwicks) Imperial Yeomanry writes :

16th April 1900 Kenhardt 

‘Bank Holiday. Cook House fatigue. Feeling very fit. Went into town with SEYMOUR – bought pipe and tobacco etc.’

17th April 1900

‘Turned out for physical drill at 5.30am. Grazing parade at 9am went about three miles out. Rifle drill in the afternoon. Boer Rebels coming in very fast – 400 rifles taken already.’

18th April 1900

‘Physical drill at 5.30am. Grazing followed by rifle drill in the afternoon.’

19th April 1900

On guard with MITCHELL, SEYMOUR and WALKER over at Kenhart Gaol – guarding six dangerous Rebels. Have captured 30 ponies during the last three days.’

‘Lieut. Meynell HUNT, 5th Company (Warwicks) Imperial Yeomanry writes :

15th April 1900 Kenhardt 

‘We have to mount a prison and town guard night and day, and a strong guard for the guns (16 men), so what with pickets, line guards, etc, the whole of our men are kept busy.’

‘We move camp tomorrow, and are converting a Church into barracks, which will be better as although we have all got shelters, the rains have been fearfully heavy lately coming down a deluge several times a day, but I hope it has ended, for we have a most glorious moonlight night, the sky absolutely full of stars - myriads and as light as day.‘

17th April 1900

We are still in camp, as the inhabitants, we find interviewed our General (who by the bye, arrived during the week) and entered a protest about us using the Church for a barracks, so in all probability we stay as we are. It is just as well perhaps, as it is; we all have made ourselves quite comfortable, and my wagon and tent are excellent and quite rainproof. ‘

‘We have all made additions to our wardrobes here, and now we walk about with bright coloured handkerchiefs round our necks and big slouch hats, and as most of us are in the process of growing beards, we look an awful set of ruffians. I only said today that if any of our troops came suddenly upon us they would certainly open fire and take us for Rebels.’

18th April 1900 Kenhardt

‘A mail in today. We were all very excited, and nearly everyone had letters. The way we gloat over them is truly wonderful, and everyone seems so much happier, but the scarcity of papers is appalling. None are sent up to us, and as for parcels no such things are ever hoped for.’

Enclosed are three pictures of a Column on Trek. These pictures are the property of the Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum Trust and should be credited as such if reproduced elsewhere.19th April 1900

‘Two Squadrons of Orpen’s Horse arrived from Upington. They had a big fight about a week ago a week previous – from 11am till 6pm – had two killed and several wounded. They took some prisoners, but the majority got away.’

22nd April 1900 Saturday Kenhardt 

‘We had a most exciting day in the shape of athletic sports, a large bag of papers a few letters and two parcels (the first we have received since landing).‘

The sports commenced at 11am which included three 100 Yards Races, one of which was for old soldiers and another for the Mule Drivers – nine boys competed the race being won by Peter who drives the ammunition cart.’

They held a Half Mile Race, a Tug of War, an Obstacle Race, a Mounted Turnout, a Sack Race, followed by a Point to Point (about a mile crossing and recrossing the river). The final event being Bare-Back Wrestling. The results can be seen on pages 55 to 57 of 'With the Warwickshire Yeomanry in South Africa’ by Lieut. Meynell HUNT.

During the afternoon a swarm of locusts was observed miles away ‘and is it neared it gradually developed into a black cloud of those insects, million upon million, and as they went over us, the nearest thing to a snowstorm, only black instead of white, the air full, the ground covered, and the noise of their wings like a strong wind. They kept passing over us for over half an hour - at least fifty yards high and miles wide.’

  (13) The Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry Squadron, the 5th (Warwicks), 2nd Bn I.Y. landed in Cape Town, South Africa on 26th February 1900, they entrained for De Aar on the 9th March and after a series of enforced marches arrived at Kenhardt, Northern Cape Province on the 11 April 1900.

ADDERLEY records that ‘at the beginning of April the Rebels had moved north of the Orange and there was no further sign of the Rebellion to the south of the river’ the Scheme of Operations was then directed to the suppression of the Rebels on the north bank of the river.

Trooper Rudolph VALINTINE, 5th Company (Warwicks) Imperial Yeomanry writes :

30th April 1900 Kenhardt 

‘The Country out here is barren, but capable of much irrigation along the sides of the riverbank and if irrigated would grow any quantity of fruit.’

8th May 1900 

‘I have got Yellow Jaundice but after 7 days of it have nearly finished my course. I am feeling much better’

‘We shall have been here a month tomorrow, during that time we have got about 1,500 rifles, and 40 to 50 ponies which we have captured from the Rebels.’

‘Lieut. Meynell HUNT, 5th Company (Warwicks) Imperial Yeomanry writes:

23rd April 1900-Kenhardt

‘Glorious weather - had a big field day, all the available forces out that are stationed here; everyone got back very thirsty. That was the most noticeable incident, all routine in the usual groove.’

26th April 1900

‘Nothing of note – we are still at the above address – our time is filled in by drills of various sorts, principally field days and outposts and patrolling the whole district in all directions. Then every other afternoon the company (half of them) take the horses to graze, riding one and leading one.’

Water is strained into a large tank with a sieve, all tadpoles and debris being carefully removed before being boiled in two big iron pots all day. ‘We use an enormous quantity of wood for this and for cooking, so at 8.30 every morning, we send a wagon with ten mules and a fatigue party of four men with axes, etc who gout into the veldt and bring in dead brush wood, the three Kaffir drivers helping.

‘’The weather is more settled – after a rain shower ‘you will see the men getting the water in the hollows of their tents and drinking it, and it is the only pure water we really get.’

1st May 1900

‘We have been here three weeks and still pursue the even tenor of our camp life. On Monday Major ORR-EWING took ten of our men under Sergeant CARTER and Corporal BAXTER and also ten of Orpen’s Horse, and they have gone on a five day’s tour of about 170 to 200 miles, visiting suspected Rebels, searching for arms etc. They are all riding on native ponies, carrying cloak and rifle, and biscuits, trusting for provisions on the way – they hope to get in touch with the Rebels by the Great Falls on the Orange River which are about 30 to 40 miles west of Uppington.’

7th May 1900 

‘The Major returned with his patrol after five days absence, having had a splendid time. They all praise the native ponies which they rode - they canter on mile after mile without an effort. The horses fed on grass and the men commandeered food at the farmhouses.’

  (15) The Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry Squadron, the 5th (Warwicks), 2nd Bn I.Y. landed in Cape Town, South Africa on 26th February 1900, they entrained for De Aar on the 9th March and after a series of enforced marches arrived at Kenhardt, Northern Cape Province on the 11 April 1900.

ADDERLEY records that ‘on May 24th 1900 the 5th Company at Kenhardt received orders to join Colonel ADYE’s column, marching from Prieska to attack a rebel commando reported to be in a laager near Kheis on the Orange River. They at once proceeded to Drachoender, 65 miles, arriving on May 25th.’

Colonel ADYE’s column consisted of:

44th Battery, Royal Field Artillery

The Gloucestershire Mounted Infantry,

Squadron of Nesbitt’s Horse

and the 32nd Squadron Lancashire Imperial Yeomanry.

25th May 1900

Colonel ADYE’s column left Drachoender for Kheis.

27th MAY 1900  

The 5th Company (Warwicks) having rested their horses started to join the column, by way of a two-day march of the 43 miles to Kheis. 22 miles were covered to Ezelfootpan, where they bivouacked for the night. ‘However at 5pm two men from Nesbitt’s Horse galloped in with a despatch from Colonel ADYE to Major ORR-EWING stating that ‘the rebel larger had been located and that he proposed to attack it on the following morning and the 5th Company (Warwicks) were to join him that evening.’

‘Lieut. Meynell HUNT, 5th Company (Warwicks) 2nd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry writes :

27th May 1900 

‘The horses had been stripped for the night and the wagons had to be reloaded – we left at half-past five having 18 miles to do which meant a night march. The troops went on, and I came along with the wagon, the roads were awful’ and he persevered until 2am when he received instructions to outspan and that fresh mules would be sent out in the morning - the camp being some five miles off.

Meanwhile ADDERLEY records that the 5th Company’s ‘guides lost the track in the dark – the mistake not being discovered until 11.15pm, and in consequence the 5th Company missed Colonel ADYEs camp by about a mile, having marched 12 miles too far down the river.’ The horses were exhausted, having done 35 miles in the day and they had to bivouac on the spot for the night.

28th May 1900 

That morning ’they proceeded to join the column 12 miles away. About 2 miles short of their destination a cloud of dust was seen near the south bank of the river, and soon guns appeared moving at a sharp trot. Lieut. FORBES who had galloped to Colonel ADYE, with a despatch announcing the approach of the Squadron sent back word that the 44th Battery was moving into action and that the Warwickshire’s were to form their escort. At once they went off to join the guns and into their first engagement with the enemy.’

Enclosed are pictures of the 5th Company (Warwicks) 2nd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry. They are the property of the Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum Trust and should be credited as such if reproduced elsewhere.

 (17) The Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry Squadron, the 5th (Warwicks), 2nd Bn I.Y. landed in Cape Town, South Africa on 26th February 1900, arriving at Kenhardt, Northern Cape Province on the 11 April 1900. 

Some six weeks later on the 24th May they received orders to join Colonel ADYE’s Column as explained in part 16 which concluded with the action at Kheis Drift.

28th May 1900 – Meynell HUNT records that ‘Lieut. FORBES selected a spot on the bank of the river higher up under a great tree to bury their three fallen comrades, taking them on a gun carriage on the following day.’ 

The Squadron remained in the neighbourhood of Kheis until the 13th June employed in patrol duty, escorting prisoners to Prieska. They then moved to Brandboom Camp near Kheis with the 44th Battery R.A., the 32nd Nesbitts and the Gloucestershire Mounted Infantry.

 ‘The wounded were sent back to Deeifontein and Lt. CHARTERIS also had to return to the same place sick, subsequently being invalided home.’ 

Trooper Rudolph VALINTINE, 5th Company (Warwicks) 2nd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry writes  at Kheis Drift on 31st May 1900:

‘Been under fire, fighting all day (28th May). Marched 40 miles the night before. Up at daybreak, looking after the wounded 7 in all. Major ORR EWING dead also LANE and BAXTER.’

12th June 1900 – Brandboom

‘I got out of Hospital orderly business yesterday having been nursing wounded since the day of the Kheis Drift engagement, which was as good as foxhunting while it lasted, only the day went like grease lightening. I was sent down to Draghonder with a convoy of 22 wounded on board, though irksome going down it was a treat coming back with the empty wagons, each with 10 mules in. I drove the best team nearly all the way. We got plenty of practice driving a ten in hand. (writing on a corned beef tin on 14th June).’

15th June 1900 - Kheis

‘We are still in camp here, went 60 miles to Grigualand the other day to fight the rebels at a fresh laager reported to have been made there, but when we got there the cupboard was bare both of rebels and traces of rebels.’

‘Lieut. Meynell HUNT, 5th Company (Warwicks) Imperial Yeomanry writes:

Sunday 3rd June 1900 - Kheis

‘A despatch rider has brought in word that Lord ROBERTS has taken Johannesburg, so the war must soon end, and our chances of seeing old England again are nearer.

6th June 1900 - Kheis

‘We are expecting to hear of Sir Charles WARREN, he is coming this way through Grigualand, having encountered rebels near Douglas, and it depends greatly upon his movements as to what we do next; but we all expect to join him via Prieska.’

Meynell HUNT explains that it took three days to recover all the wounded and concentrate the hospitals following the action at Kheis Drift for ‘the wounded were on both banks, it has been formed on the south bank only, we got a boat and brought them across.’ The Column had 4 Officers and 24 ORS wounded. They found 10 wounded rebels at Kheis Drift.

On the 6th June they ‘then started on getting the looted cattle, sheep and goats across’ from the captured Boer Laager. ‘The beasts were driven over, and the sheep and goats were brought across the drift in wagons, of course tying their legs - some eight thousand animals,’ which took time to accomplish.

‘We hear this morning that Lord ROBERTS is in Pretoria and trust this means an end to the terribly long death roll, which is abnormally heavy through the treacherous practises of our foe, and which we have suffered from to an equal degree with everyone else. Every prisoner we took had a white flag on him, and many had one on their rifle. They must have quite their own ideas of what is fair in warfare and these men are supposed to be highly religious.’

11th June 1900 Brandboom Camp - 6 miles from Kheis.

Lieutenant FORBES was in orders as our Captain the day before yesterday. He has been in command of the Squadron since our Major’s death.’

13th June 1900

‘Captain FORBES and Captain JACKSON of the Gunners have gone out shooting buck this afternoon, a change from sheep, which will be acceptable.

Saturday 16th June 1900 

‘The clouds hung very low, the sun never making its appearance all day – so the Colonel put our intended Sports Day off until Monday. In the afternoon the weather got more threatening.’ There was a heavy thunderstorm that night ‘and the rain came down in torrents for an hour or two, so that in a short time the camp was like a lake quite a couple of inches deep in water.’

Sunday 17th June 1900 

‘The miserable drowned look of every man and horse in the morning was pitiable to behold.’ At 7am they took the horses out to warm them up and 8.30am the sun had come out. Church parade was at 9am ‘after which everybody turned to, and hung, rugs, coats and every conceivable article to dry in the sun, and by mid-day things were right once more.’

In the afternoon they played Polo ‘Yeomanry versus Staff and Mounted Infantry; Yeomanry winning by five goals to two. Everyone rode native ponies, and they soon came to, considering they had never seen a ball before.’

The enclosed pictures are the property of the Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum Trust and should be credited as such if reproduced elsewhere.

  (18) The Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry Squadron, the 5th (Warwicks), 2nd Bn I.Y. landed in Cape Town, South Africa on 26th February 1900, arriving at Kenhardt, Northern Cape Province on the 11th April. They fought their first action at Kheis Drift on 28th May 1900.

On the 13th June they moved to Brandboom Camp near Kheis and continued actively patrolling the countryside. On the afternoon of 17th June 1900, they played Polo ‘Yeomanry versus Staff and Mounted Infantry; Yeomanry winning by five goals to two. Everyone rode native ponies, and they soon came to, considering they had never seen a ball before.’

‘The 2nd Troop under Lieut. PAULET took the prisoners captured at Kheis Drift to Drachoender, to which the Squadron moved on 29th June and thence to Prieska which they reached on the 4th July.’ Here they were joined by Lieut. Fordham FLOWER (right) who after repeated attempts had finally been discharged from the Base Hospital at Capetown in time to re-join the Squadron before it moved north.’ 

ADDERLEY records that Lieut. FLOWER wrote to Colonel Frank DUGDALE on 8th July 1900 of which the following are but extracts:

‘We have just received orders to proceed immediately to Kroonstad. The other Squadrons are annoyed that we should be selected; but our men are in great glee at the prospect of being in the middle of things.’

‘We have heard no news for a fortnight but conclude there is further trouble in the Free State, and they can’t go on without us. Everybody will be glad to leave this district after four months occupation.’ 

Lieut. Meynell HUNT writes at Draghoender on the 29th June 1900 – of which the following are but extracts:

‘Here we are again for the fourth time.’ ‘It is the junction for half a dozen places, being on the direct route to Prieska. There is a big store here (JACKSONS) and the Government have their stores here for the Kenhardt, Upington and Prieska Districts. When we arrived yesterday our hearts sank as we saw great piles of oats, hay, and biscuit boxes - we wondered if our column was destined to stop here after all, instead of going on to Prieska.’

Meynell HUNT records that on arrival at Draghoender on the 28th June ‘we were delighted to see Lieut. FLOWER’ who’ had brought tents up with him together with a draft of men from Maitland, that came out in the ship Canada.’

For the past four months they had been roughing it and there was great excitement in having tents as well as replacement clothing for ‘all the men’s breeches, putties and boots came up with the draft; also, half a dozen cases of comforters, socks, helmets, and handkerchiefs from Lady HERTFORD and two cases of tobacco.’ 

The Column arrived at Prieska on the 4th July.

Trooper Rudolph VALINTINE, 5th Company (Warwicks) 2nd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry writes;

Prieska 1st July 1900 - ‘It is bitterly cold here now at night, but thanks to Lt. FLOWER we have tents which are a great luxury after being in the open.

 It rained horribly one night on the march down, but SPENCER, HILL, SMITH and I rigged up a tent as follows: First we got two rifles and tied them like this (a) then two more for the other end, then we put a couple of bayonets in for main pegs, made a stretcher with two pairs of reins (b). Over this we stretched two ordinary blankets, tied two nose bags full of stones to the four corners thus making a jolly good tent, which looked like this (c) when it was finished. We packed the back up with saddles and slept well through a good old South African thunderstorm, with the result that only the two blankets were wet.’ See above sketch which can be found in VALINTINE’s diary.

The enclosed pictures are the property of the Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum Trust and should be credited as such if reproduced elsewhere.

  (19) The Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry Squadron, the 5th (Warwicks), 2nd Bn I.Y. landed in Cape Town, South Africa on 26th February 1900, arriving at Kenhardt, Northern Cape Province on the 11th April. They fought their first action at Kheis Drift on 28th May 1900.’

 As explained in Part 18 the Column arrived at Prieska on the 4th July: Lieut. FLOWER wrote to Colonel Frank DUGDALE on 8th July 1900:

‘We have just received orders to proceed immediately to Kroonstad. The other Squadrons are annoyed that we should be selected; but our men are in great glee at the prospect of being in the middle of things.’

ADDERLEY records the Squadron left Prieska on 14th July and escorted the Convoy to De Aar, where they entrained for Pretoria on the 20th ‘arriving on 28th July, having been delayed for two days at Kroonstad by De WET blowing up the line near that place. After camping two days on the Racecourse at Pretoria, orders where received to march to Earste-Fabrieken*, 15 miles away on the Delagoa Bay line, and then to patrol the railway: detachments under sergeants being stationed at Piennaar’s Poort (4 miles) and at Van der Merve (8 miles) away.’

*See map above by way of 'Military Survey of Pretoria and Country North and East' which can be found on page 662 of ‘With The Flag To Pretoria’ by W.H. WILSON published in 1901.

Trooper Rudolph VALINTINE, 5th Company (Warwicks) 2nd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry writes from Kroonstad on the 23 July 1900: 

‘We marched 37 miles from Bridestown to De Aar, getting in at 8pm, entrained at 1am the following morning for Kroonstad, got to Bloemfontein the following night at 12, where we had to get all the horses out, water them and feed them. Got to bed at 1am. Reveille at 5am, detrained, went into camp 4 miles away from station, got settled down, at 8pm had orders to be entrained by 3 the following morning for Kroonstad – so we had a night of it as you can imagine.’

The Warwicks loaded their 100 horses into box wagons as did the Gloucester Mounted Infantry: 200 horses in all – 4 open trucks carried 50 men per truck, 2 trucks carried the forage, with a luggage van for the officers. ‘All went well during the day but as soon as it got dark it began to rain and we had an awful night - here I am this morning – nearly all of us wet through.’

Pretoria 27th July 1900.

‘Here at last. Arrived in daylight yesterday – fine passes to come through with big forts on all the highest points, a sight well worth seeing.’ ‘The train but one before ours from Kroonstad was captured and burnt, the train but one after ours faired likewise, so we had a luck escape.’

Lieut. Meynell HUNT writes on 2nd August at Eland’s River Station (thirty miles east of Pretoria on Delagoa Bay line) of his short stay at Pretoria on 31st July: ‘Pretoria is a nice town, the square, in the centre of it is large and has fine buildings. There is a church in the middle and facing each other are the House of Assembly and the Palace of Justice, both very fine buildings. Then there is the Grand Hotel, the Standard and Natal Banks, and the Post Office also in the square. The villas are numerous and picturesque, and in the summer when covered with creepers and fine palms you see everywhere, must be very sweet. Now everything, being winter, is naked and consequently looks its worst.’

‘We saw Lord ROBERTS** and his daughters ride by with several staff officers, looking very well; but one sees so many generals here, the rarity is a civilian. No one is allowed north of Bloemfontein under any pretence. Every civilian has to have his pass and there are hundreds and thousands only waiting to come up and fill Johannesburg and Pretoria, but at present no person or material come up except military.’

Whilst in Pretoria Meynell HUNT received orders to take the 2nd Troop WIY to the Eland River Station which he describes as ‘such a desolate place, a tiny station in the middle of the veldt, nothing to be seen but waste, with a boggy brook half a mile away, which I presume is the Eland River. ‘

Enclosed is a portrait image in oils of Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh, 1st EARL ROBERTS, V.C., K.G., K.P., O.M., G.C.B., G.C.I.E., V.D., (1832 -1914). ROBERTS was appointed C-in-C in South Africa on 15 December 1899. This framed oil painting of ROBERTS (circa 1900) is held in a private collection.