Diary of Lieut. Harold C. Bickford in the Boer War 1899-1900 South Africa
Transcribed by Tim Bickford
Preface to the Diary of Lieut. Harold C. Bickford in the Boer War 1899-1900 For centuries the British Empire expanded around the globe with India and Australia being two key components. Up until the construction of the Suez Canal in the mid 1800’s England’s Cape Colony in South Africa was a strategic link to the Indian Ocean. The British had taken it over from the Dutch during the Napoleonic Wars of the early 1800s and by the late 19th century both were well entrenched in the area along with numerous indigenous African kingdoms, the most powerful being the Zulus. The Brits referred to the Dutch as Boers (Dutch for farmers while they referred to themselves as Afrikaners. The Boer War (1899-1902) represented the confluence of British imperialism and Afrikaner nationalism. . The Dutch had settled in the region in 1652 and strongly resented British efforts to stop slavery and the slave trade which they considered to be sanctioned by their religion and sense of white superiority. Although the British fought the slave trade and slavery, they and the Dutch still fully endorsed and helped institute apartheid along the same lines as they did in the rest of the empire. This was typical of all nineteenth century imperial powers. In the 1830s the Dutch established two “independent” republics in South Africa the Transvaal and the Orange Free State. As a result they were then surrounded by hostile Zulus and British neighbors and lived in a constant state of tension. Once gold was discovered inside the Dutch republics, the English settlers crossed the boundaries and pressured the Boers to give them more rights. This finally erupted in 1899 in the Boer War where the British attempted to conquer these states and unite all of South Africa which they finally did in 1910. As a result, the “Union of South Africa” was a union of two white protestant European colonial settlers, the British and Dutch Afrikaners, while the majority native Africans and Indian laborers were totally excluded.
In 1899 Lieut.Harold C. Bickford was a twenty- two year old graduate of the prestigious Sandhurst military academy of London and a career military man. He was put in command of the 6th Dragoon Guard Carabiniers cavalry regiment and sent to South Africa to fight the Boers. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6th_Dragoon_Guards_(Carabiniers) The diary is written as a military log of Lieut. Bickford’s daily experience and lacks any mention of the rationale for fighting; it was a given, namely to protect and preserve the Empire. The Dutch Boers occupied the Orange Free State and the Transvaal, both of which were landlocked, so they were largely fighting a defensive war. On the first day of the Battle of Paaderberg on Feb 18, 1899 (Lieut. Bickford visited the site a few days after the battle) the British suffered 18 dead and 60 wounded and hence made the decision to wait it out rather than attack, to fight a war of attrition. • (http://www.civilization.ca/cwm/boer/battlepaardeberg_e.html).
With overwhelming superiority in numbers it was just a question of time before the British would force a Dutch surrender , but not without some fierce fighting. This was one of the first English battles after the Industrial Revolution so Maxim machine guns and various types of cannon were in use. The Boer War was at the crossroads of technology as more modern weapons combined with traditional use of cavalry. The Brits biggest advantage evident in the diary was the use of train transportation to move troops and supplies at will. Interesting to note how Lieut. Bickford breaks his collarbone on his horse, but largely rejects the medical treatment, takes off the sling, and reports to HQ declaring himself fit for duty. (In those days he was probably better off not going to the doctor if he could help it, but rejecting medical help was a trait that his son Harold had as well). Religion seems to play a very minor or negligible role in his combat situations. In the entire diary there is only one mention of a “Divine” Sunday service taking up all of one sentence. It really is not clear how much of a role faith played in these life threatening situations, but it does not seem to play much of one. Finally it is worth noting that servants went unnamed in his writings, often referred to as “my servants” but never by name. Were they local natives, Indian laborers, or some other? From the tone of the writing, it appears that they always seemed to be a nuisance to him. His hand writing is illegible in a number of places especially in his naming of S. African locations many of which are difficult to find on a map. These words are guessed at and followed with a question mark. The diary is followed by an Appendix with an interesting map and relevant photos. In addition, I have included his obituary from the 1956 edition of the Buffalo News. Tim Bickford Providence, RI July 2008
Diary of the Boer War 1899-1900
Belonging to H.C. Bickford Lieut. 6th Dragoon Guards Carabiniers (cavalry) If this book is lost please return to owner or his relatives at 1 Buckingham Gate London W. England
Clipp?? Wallet
Near Wallet
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Note: The remainder of the writing is the backwards imprint from the first page
February 18th Sunday Left Cape Town at 4 pm. in special troop train with drafts of 800 men and 60 horses for the Innsbillings????and 12 howsers besides my 2 horses and 2 servants. Had rather difficulty in bossing??? them. Strafford at 8p.m. for dinner.
February 19th, Monday Breakfasted at M?????????? at the expense D. Logan. Travelled all day. Lunch Albert ?? dinner nowhere, had one biscuit. Feb. 20th Tuesday Around at De Aar Junction at 4:30 p.m. where I got rid of detachment .In rush?? things sending them.
on to haaumfont?? Junction. Left B Arr at 8:30 arriving Orange River at 12:45 pm. Left Orange River at 1:30 and traveling on the engine…saw the battlefields of Belmont Graspan where the roof of the station was riddled with shrapnel?, bullets. Arrive at Modder River about 8:30. Dining on some biscuits and chocolate!
Wednesday Feb 21st Handed over the howsers to the Det?? (depot) there and managed to get hold of three eggs for breakfast. Shoed my horse.
in a cattle truck, which I found standing empty in a siding and by standing?? the engine driver a drink?? managed to get it started…on to a Kimberly military train that was starting for Kimberly that evening. Had a look around Modder River battle field and started for Kimberly at 6:30 on the engine, the line having been reinforced the day before. The train in a siding*..some followers of some infantry regiment Haagenfontein? asked us to have a drink and explained where all the trenches were. There were tiers of them one above the other. It was absolutely impregnable from a frontal attack. Arrived at Kimberly at 8:30 slept that night in the train. Had nothing to eat all day except a few raw sausages and some biscuits.
*siding= a side track
Thursday Feb. 22nd Started out to try to get something to eat, but could get nothing except at the Kimberly Club where I met Forester of the Royal Canadian Dragons. I reported myself to Headquarters and was told that my regiment was at Paardeberg Drift??? and determined to find it next day! Had a look around Kimberly which showed plentiful evidence of shells, etc. Friday Feb. 23rd Started out at 9:30 from the Kimberly club with a fellow in the Tasmanian Artillery---one servant –my 3rd horse??
carrying the saddlebags for the Paardeberg Drift about 30 miles away. A guide took us out of Kimberly showing us a disused mine flooded en route & showed us a track on the Veldt which led to Paardeberg?? Travelling slowly without adventure arrived at Paardeberg?? about 4:30, but found the regiment had moved on with Frevelis’s ?? cavalry division. Nobody seemed very clear where they were & pushing on came to our guns on a hill commanding Cranjes* Laaager**. I finally got another 4 or 5 miles on when darkness came & a terrific storm. Not knowing where the lines were or the Boer lines, I bivouacked near the river in a drenching rain. I took turns with the other fellow and my servant in keeping watch. Cranje-- Boer leader **laager -- camp protected by a circle of wagons
all night as I was determined not to get captured and left the horses saddled up. Saturday Feb. 24th at daylight I moved off and found the Cavalry Division about 2 miles distant. X I had bivouacked between the lines and the Boer Laager. I was glad to find our troops, my regiment at last. I had my troops out on frequent duty that night as we were expecting Cranje (Boer leader) to try and cut his way out. About 10 pm one of my sentries fired at two X =( note on side)‌Kaadersrand?? Drift
Boers who tried to get through--- I prepared the night for defense, but no one else came & the night passed off quietly.
Sunday Feb. 25th My Squadron moved on to Maakers?? Drift to guard it against any force of relieving Boers. Monday Feb. 28th Some of the Mess lines have arrived and now we are in clover?? with lots to eat & drink.There is a very comfortable place with good bathing.
Tuesday Feb. 27th Cranje (Boer leader) has surrendered with 4000 prisoners & there is great joy in Camp. 2500 Transvallers & 1500 Free Staters besides a few others. Wednesday Feb. 28th We are rather uncomfortable as there are heavy rains & we get wet at night and can’t get much sleep. Thursday March 1st Rode over to Cranje’s Laager* and saw it all. It was a wonderful sight.
off in a southerly direction at 4 pm …At 6pm we unsaddle, & bivouack for half the night. We are going to have a battle tomorrow, my first one. The camp at night looks like a big town with the fires tumbleing in all directions for a long way. I lay down on my clothes on a waterproof sheet.
Stacks of arms and ammunition, half burnt wagons and debris of every description. Afterwards went to see the Canadians camped near by a saw Burstell, Otter & Bucbar. Friday March 2nd-March 5th At Makers Drift the Boers are plainly visible entrenching on a position on some koppies* about 4 miles away between us & Bloemfontein. Tuesday March 6th The infantry having arrived we move across the river, & join the Division which moves
*koppies= S. African for hills
Wednesday March 7th I got up at 2:15 am and got some breakfast & at 3:30 am we started in the dark. We walked slowly on till it grew light at 5:30, at 7:35 I was under fire for the first time, as I saw a puff of white smoke on a hill a good way off, while wondering what it was a report* startled?? me of a gun immediately followed.
• report—in this context, the cracking sound of gunfire
It was great fun watching the shelling. We finally bivouacked in a poplar grove having had a very long day with nothing to eat since 2:30 that morning. Three of my horses died from exhaustion.
Wednesday March 8th We moved on about 7 miles towards Bloemfontein to Rocfront?? There was good water & grazing. I had a real good feed at night of a duck and a chicken which I got hold of.
by a louder report (crack) and a puff of white smoke a little way off, & I realized we were being shellled. I was a bit nervous at first, but it soon passed off. The battle was finished about 5 p.m. when we had driven them from their position capturing 2 guns. We had nobody killed, though other regiments did, losing about 30 in casualties.
Thursday March 9 At 12 noon we (my squadron) get orders to move out & get contact with the enemy. I go out on patrol to a farm said to be under fire but they had retired. We bivouac & light fires at dark & then get orders to retire to camp, building up the fires before we leave.
Friday March 10th We move out at 5 am before break,, and after having moved about 5 miles come in contact with the enemy. We move around to the right flank and come under shell fire.
__ing (having) had nothing since breakfast. My saddlebags on my 3rd horse not having turned up. I had nothing to eat, but our C.O. gave me a biscuit and some corned beef. Saturday March 11th We start at daybreak & am smoking a pipe for breakfast, when another fellow rides up with a 2 biscuits? and some potted meat, which are very welcome, he having come across the country, & and got lots from them. We move on, about 15 miles to “Dooruboom??� a farm about 25 miles from Bloemfontein where all our
mess carts came up & the famine is relieved. Sunday March 12th We move on at daybreak, I am galloping to the Brigadier. We have a ball from 11-1 pm X (on side-at Vlenders Vlen??) having done 13 miles. We move on again & at 5 pm blow up the railway south of Bloemfontein.
The Hills being surrounded , we bring up some guns & guns and we (Col. Porter’s Staff) come under rifle fire. It just got dark* *this page is divided into two parts‌part two on the next page
(Part 2 of previous page) dark when the enemy’s position (Volkers –Maxim 1 Jide???) opened, the shells falling about 200 yards off and looking very faulty??. We send men on in Wittenobrim?? about 4pm. Lieut French who was with Col. Porter issued instructions to hold a ridge for the high ground ?? which we bivouacked for the night.
Monday March 13 th I reported myself at 4:30 to Col. Porter who advanced to a hill & there saw Bloemfontein about 4 miles off on the plain. The enemie’s Four four* opened, but was silenced by our guns. At 10 am the town surrendered to Genrl. Lord Roberts. In the afternoon we moved on to a position to the W of the town, & I went out to take up a picket line for the night. * type of cannon??
Lord Robers troops (on the left) circled area is Boer stronghold??
Infantry + M 9 (on right) Cavalry Division “C� Squadron Carbs (Carabiniers?) Poplar grove
Position of Driefontein?? River vertical + Rail horizontal???
Tuesday March 14th I am relieved at 8am having stopped anybody without a pass from going out of Bloemfontein. Being Orderly Officer I am unable to go into B___ (Bloemfontein) We are now glad to get Fresh milk,butter & bread especially, not having had them for a long time. Wednesday March 15 th I go into Bloemfontein, & get a bathe and a shave, which I never enjoyed so much in my life, also some clean clothes.
(part two of previous page) Thursday March 16th My servant turns up with my other horses, & saddlebags, having last seen on the morning of the 13th, I am not feeling very well today.
Friday March 17th I met some Canadians in Bloemfontein‌Tumble & Laybrun?? & have a good look around the town, which is very small for a Capitol. Get up a game of football between ourselves and the boys in the evening result a draw, one all.
Saturday March 18 Bee’s Birthday…Got a lot of Mails two days ago of Feb.8th which were very welcome. I must answer them as soon as possible. I thought of cabling…all’s well but it cost too much…Went out on picket at 4:30 am…I have a line about 3 miles long with ½ a squadron?? to guard… My menu for dinner was: Boiled Eggs Canned Peaches Cocoa, butter Milk & Bread Sunday March 19th Am relieved at 8am & go to Wessels Farm about 6 miles to the West of B (Bleomfontein).This is a lovely place
with lots of water and splendid grazing for the horses. I slept on a veranda at night, stone floor, but a roof and a lovely night. Monday March 19 Went out after lunch in the morning where I had a ripping* swim. * Brit term = delightful
Tues March 20th Got a lot of thing washed and go into Bloemfontein Wed. March 21 until March 26 Go to Hill and Dale Farm owned by a man called Fischer, a permanent member of the Free State Gov’t. The gov’t having commandered the Farm…I am put in charge to hold & all the
used up horses of the army here are sent here. I take over the Farm with all stock + on Mar 26th have over 300 men and 800 horses. I live here in the lap of luxury, it being one of the wealthiest farms in the free state.
Tuesday March 27th I go out in the morning after a buck. Getting within fifty yards of them. I gallop after them shooting with my howser??. My horse frightened by the shooting bolts for all he is worth. Suddenly she puts her foot in a hole, down we come together. I break my collar bone, strain my ankle and my howser pistol goes off shooting my horse through the neck.I ride back to the farm in the afternoon. Our doctor having fixed?? me up, I drove into Bloef and go to St. Michaels Hospital. Wed.March 28th Never have spent such a miserable night in all my life, my arm aching all night like anything.
It is redone up in the morning and was a one uncomfortable day. Thursday March 29th-April 4th Had a better night am getting on April 5th Am sent down to Hammfont Hospital where I Recover until April 10th. It takes 26 hours fo get from B to H. At Hammfont they do us awfully well in contrast to the stinking stew they used to give us at B (Bloemfontein) No wonder that so many enteries die there. They
give us good champagne every night for dinner. April 10-15 We entrain at 10 pm being kicked out of here to make room for others from Cape Town. Our train takes until the morning of the 13th to reach Cape Town, meanwhile my ankle has all swollen up again and my collar bone is out of place. The train was so heavy that the engine was unable to take the whole train up a steep grade, but had to take it up in halves. April 13 – April 27th At Permanent Hospital at Wayburg??? a very nice place…very comfortable …everybody very nice including our pretty sister.
April 27-May 7 At Claremont Sanitarium. I am now able to get around and see my friends, only having my arm in a sling. My collar bone is set very badly Nearly protruding through the skin, the military authorities at Claremont send me to Wynburg to have it operated on, but they say it is unnecessary and want to send me back to England but I won’t go. May 7-28 I take my arm out of its sling and report myself fit
for duty and am sent back to Mairtland??? Camp again I live very comfortably being in diggings in Cape Town and just going out to Maitland to sign some papers in the morning and then back again and change into plain clothes and go see friends and amuse myself.However after much trouble I finally get leave to go out to the front as I was so long down here before. I have given some intelligence maps and photos of the Johannesburg Forts to deliver to Army Head Q and they are very important. I gave a Farewell Tea to at District?? In Adderly SC ?? To all my girl (and boy) friends and bid them adieu. I leave by mail train at 9:15 a.m. Tues. May 29 Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Watosfantein??? Fraserburg Road Beaufort West
kaross* All day *kaross—S. African skins for sleeping
Wednesday May 30th Had a tapping?? night in my Kaross* which is very comfortable. Had a combined Breakfast and lunch at Navals Point. Dinner at Bingfontein???. Passed the Reusburg-Arundel District of fighting and saw Coles. Kaf. Will arrive at Bloemfontein some time during the night. Thursday May 31st Arrived at Bloemfontein 2:30 went up town at 6:30 and had a bath and a shave. Went out to Fisher’s Farm got my horses and found that the Male (Mare?) had died. Got two new.
horses from the Cavalry Depot rather good ones, & started north at 4:30 p,m, Friday June 1st Arrived at Kroonstadt in the morning, had lunch at the station, & went to a hotel where I got a bath & had tea with Pearse R.C.D. and started north during the night. Saturday June 2nd Wake up at Roodewal, & finally arrived at Viedfort?? Road where we jumped? the horses out of the cattle trucks. Last Friday morning I found Collis of my regiment lying at Vredenburg Road with senterie?? & shot through the lung looking very nearly dead, but am told he is convalescent.
Sunday June 3rd Started north at 7 am, having slept last night in an empty house. Had breakfast at the convoy?? with Col. Rockfort & then pushed on north with at a Mr. Evans. ??? Consul at Johannesburg before the war at 11:15 am. The railway between Roadvaal and Vladfont is a wonderful sight, the railway being blown up every 20 yards and the ends of the rail sticking up sometimes 10 feet & more in the air. All culverts & railway bridges were utterly destroyed & the country laid waste.
& burnt, farm houses looted all along– I rode all day through a deserted country & finaly arrived at Veljean’s?? Drift & a good supper at 7 pm. I slept in the station all night, not having seen a Boer all day.
Monday June 4th Crossed the Vall river into the Transvaal at Viljours? & entrain the horses & supplies?? at 12 noon. & arrived at Elandsfontein at 3 pm in a private car of the Director of Railways and drive with Mr. Evans at Goldfields Hotel, a pigging?* dinner & see the Randt Club. Leave Johannesburg that evening, & sleep in a railway carriage at Elandsfontein Junction, the train not starting until tomorrow.
Tuesday June 5th Breakfast & lunch with a Mr. Law of the National Bank at Elandfontein, the train not starting north until 6 p.m. I dine in a special carriage at the end of the train on Bully beef & biscuits plus whiskey and liquer & finally bed down at Oliphantsfontein.
Wed. June 6 Go on to 2 miles south of there?? where the railway bridge is blown up. Jump? the horses out of the cattle trucks, & sending my last bag & servant on in a
tool cart belonging to Col. Girouard?? and rode into Pretoria with Col. Rocheford? arriving there at 2:20 p.m. We put up at the Traansvaal Hotel & deliver our despatches to the Director of Military Intelligence. In the evening. I meet one of our fellows who was taken prisoner and released today & another fellow who has just ridden in & we all have a jolly dinner. Pretoria surrendered ‘ yesterday. Thursday June 7th I rode out to Kaadaafont?? in the afternoon having looked around the town in the morning & rejoin my regiment & hear all the news. They say we are in for a fight tomorrow.
Friday June 8th We are escort to the convoy + go very leisurely to Carmeel’s Drift, where we camp for the nightthe enemy did not take us on.
Saturday June 9 I am sent out to reconnoitre to Hasflaagte with a troop of 18 men, where the enemy shelled our prisoners the other day. I find however that the country is clear of the Boers for 13 miles to the north + report the same to the Brigadier (Porter) at 6 p.m. that night.
Sunday June 10th We have Divine Service in the morning, + we hear that we are all to advance tomorrow against the Boers, as they refuse to surrender. This is lovely country- park like with trees scattered over an undulating grass country with lots of good water. The climate at this time of year is very enjoyable—it is cool in the daytime, + very cold at night with heavy dew. My kaross* + sleeping bag come in very useful.
(previous page cont’d) Monday June 11th We move off about 7 am, + after crossing a couple of drifts run slap into the Boers at 8:45 am, gettting within 800 yards of
them, before they open fire owing to bad scouting by the 4th Brigade. Luckily we being in a def (defense??) close to Canncelfontein are aught? of sight, + most of the shells go screaming overhead. Fighting is practically over by 12 noon, + we occupy some hills opposite to the enemy at Donufontain + a sniping match ensues. We stay there all night.
Tuesday June 12th We are acting as a detaining force on the left flank, holding a large force of Boers in check while the distant booming of
guns tells us that Lord Roberts is hard at work turning the right flank or the left flank of the Boer position, which is very strong. Looking through my telescope I can plainly see the Boers in stone breach?? bobbing up + shooting at the 4 Brigade. I shut up my telescope + go to tea + have just finished that, + am walking out to one of the pickets with our C. O. when “Boom—whing- Bang-boom -,m-m, the
Boers got some guns unseen to within 1500 yards of the camp, + commence to shell. Our horses are all picketed down, + the artillery horses are down at waterconsequently it is 5 minutes of 10 before our guns can reply during which time
the Boers with 2 guns + a “four four four shells into camp as fast as they can. We finally got the camp out of range, + the Boer guns silenced I go out on picket that night. Wedesday June 13th The night passed off quietly + I reported all clear to the Brigade Hajn at 6 am,, having been annoyed all night by some cattle making a beastly noise in a kraal* close by. Being a moonlight night I manage to spot the chief offender + a well place rock *kraal= S. African for corral
on its ribs silenced it for the rest of the night. We make the old headman produce his assegai* throw it for us + rag** the Kaffie village till the head man produces some eggs, which we go off to cook + leave them in peace— by we I mean myself + a fellow named Osborne of the N.S. W. Lancers who happens to be there. At 1 pm we move off, + advance about 10 miles (due East) the evening having retired during the night. We bivouac for the night.
*assegai- a slender spear tipped with iron. ** rag- to torment
Thrusday June 14th We retire at daybreak to Cammaaldrift?? 18 miles N.E. of Pretoria, the Boers having fled E, + all available forces being evacuated to tread* up De Wet in the Orange River Colony *tread= follow
Friday June 15th-Saturday July 8 We are at Camaaldrift, the Boers after a bit discovered we had retired + came back. We are in a very pleasant camp which we have changed twice for sanitary reasons, + we take our turns to do picketsYour turn coming about once a week or 10 days. Then leave June 21st. I go on patrol to E. dendale??, being told the enemy are on my left flank to the N.E. I reach my destination, + having breakfasted with Genrl Stapleman of the 18th Brigade.
I return to our Brigadier with all the information he requires then July 1st a patrol under Rundle is captured having had its horses shot. We hear about ??? old Gray’s death. There are continual scares of Boers especially on July 5, + have all been saddled up at daybreak– none of them came to anything however, as the Boers are in too much of a funk to attack us. About once a week I go into Pretoria stay the night, have a bath + play billiards. P (Pretoria) isn’t a bad little place, but very untidy. The Gov’t buildings are very good, but Pres. Krugers house is a rotten little thing. I get a set of pants??? made to order at Beckettt’s
+ having plenty of grub am very comfortable. Shooting partridges is our only recreation. We get some birds on July 6 and 7 which isn’t bad fun. There are strong rumors that we are going to move next Tuesday July 10th
Monday July 9th I go out on picket duty at 5:30 am with three troops having an extent of front about 3 miles to guard. At 1:30 pm. I get an order to return to camp at once as the regiment was moving off ‌..nobody knew where.
Having collected our pickets I get back to camp at 2:30 to find that the regiment had moved off. I find lots of things strewn about the camp,+ get hold of a very nice pony. I manage to track the regiment however to Graatfontein about 22 miles away where I arrive about 10 pm.
Tuesday July 10th We start at 7:30 am. Halt and feed at Bapsfontein?? in the middle of the day, + arrive at Reitaler?? about 4 pm. where we camp for the night. About 9 pm a veldt* fire approaches + we have to turn out a lot of men and finally get it under control. ’ *veldt- scattered grassland w/ shrubs and trees
Wednesday July 11th We move out at daybreak + it is announced , or rather last night, that we are to attack the left flank of the enemy in order to occupy Leemfont??. We soon come in contact with the enemy, + the regiment forms line at a gallop. My troop is sent out as advance guard to support the seats?? of the 8th Hassars
They however miss the direction + I take up the advance guard myself. I spot the Boers, + send word back to the regiment.
I capture a native who was running away, + send him back. I come under rifle fire, + return it + the Boers retire. I then surround a farm house and send my sergeant in to search it without result. I then join my Captain on a koppie* which we held all day. The regiment of the left gets shelled- the shells come screaming along the ridge and bursting. It was pretty to watch from where we were though I thought they would turn it on to us, they didn’t probably as they couldn’t see us, as I led the horses under cover + the men lying down among the rocks, though we were much closer to them than the regiment. We retire to Oliphantsfontein??. *koppie- hill
in the evening, + camp. Thursday July 12th I ride down to a tree about five feet in diameter close to the camp near a farm which four or five Boers had sheltered. One of our 6 inch Lyddite shells had gone slap* through+ burst on coming out, blowing the men to atoms, pieces of them being everywhere + also a horse through which it had gone longitudinally. I take some photos + get some bits of the shell. All wood is turned green by the explosion. *slap= directly
Friday July 13th We hear that there is to be a reconnaisance in force tomorrow. Saturday July 14th which does not come off. I break my fountain pen. Sunday July 15th We moved out on picket duty at daybreak. In the afternoon the whole brigade turns up in response to a false alarm from someone that the Boers were attacking. I round up a lot of sleep. In the evening about 11 pm the Boers sneak up and snipe a sentry on a cossack post on my right. My own sentry booms off his carbine just after that—I jump up, but just found he did it by accident. Altogether I have a pretty jumpy night.
Wednesday July 16th Before daybreak we are strongly reinforced as we expect a Boer attack. My patrol, sent out before daybreak, discovers one of our officers, horses, lying senseless on the ground. He having lost his way in the dark the night before, ’run into a wire fence + knocked out his horse, badly cut by the barbed wire, wandered in to the picket during the night, but we were unable to find him, he is not hurt however we find on return to camp. The Boers attack all day, a most unusual occurence, some of the pickets are
under the hottest fire experienced this war. We beat off the attack however + at nightfall retire to camp. New? Brigadier broke his collarbone last Sat. awful bad luck.
Tuesday July 17- Wed. July 18th Go out shooting and amuse myself about camp.
Thurs. July 19 Our new Brigadier arrives Genrl Gordon. He makes extra squadrons,+ I being the senior subaltern* get one. The best bit of luck this war, + I’m awfully proud having a squadron of Cavalry on active service with less than 3 ½ yrs service. I’m afraid it won’t last very long, as they are sure to diminish?? very much, + be amalgamated into other squadrons. We get our mails of June 16th with *subaltern= junior officer in British army
the account of Bee’s Café Chantant I for one am very proud to have such a clever sister. It appears to have been a tremendous success.
Friday July 20 –Sunday July 21st At Oliphantsfontein, make preparations for a start. Monday July 22nd Move off at daybreak in a fog + march all day to “Kondrai”?? thence to Blakfontein where we get shelled just before sunset, + camp there for the night. I am on outpost duty with my squadron.
Thursday July 23rd Move off at daybreak + after a bit of a fight reach “Zaiwater� where we camp for the night. Wed. July 24th Move off at 7 a.m., My squadron is advanced squadron to find out where the Boers are and clear up the situation. I came across the camp fires not yet cold + tracks of many ponies feet going east. I finally captured a railway granger at Brigssfront??? statement from whom I get all the information required + send it on to our Col. We then move on to Wittbaula?? Colliery and fire on the retreating Boers. We move on to Naamufont??? to camp for the night, it being after dark when we get there, + it comes
on to rain + blow, + being unable to find my servants at first get thoroughly wet, + remain so all night. It rains pretty nearly all night, + we are miserable. Very little to eat for dinner. Thurs. July 25th Spent a rotten night wet through lying on the ground in the rain. We move on to Eipdeel?? shelliing the retreating Boers + go on in advance with my squadron to Lemeaufontein?? + see the Boer Long Tower?? shelling from a truck in the rail way, only luckily he
is not shelling me. I return to camp in the evening at “Voorintggicht”??
Fri. July 26th I go out on Patrol to Pan station, thence to E landsfontein where I get hold of a Café cart, + two ponies, +thence home in the evening having seen no Boers.
Sat. July 26th-Thur July 31st
In camp at Voornitzicht??, Pass the time training the ponies to drive, + make an excursion into Middlebbing?? one day to get some things. It is a rotten little hole, what use?? settling down in Middlebbing, not for a million.
Friday Aug. 1st Start out at 7:30 am for Klippan??, which we reach without adventure. Sat. Aug. 2nd-Sun Aug. 3rd We go out in search of water but am not able to find any enough for the Brigade to the S + S. E. Mon. Aug. 4th Consequently we move back ½ mile east of Grootlaate? for water.
Tues. Aug. 5 – Fri. Aug 17 In camp at “Grootlaggt”?? We pass the time in practicing driving four in hand??, + in patrolling to the S.W. I get hold of a very nice covered waggon + a tent. I get chased by Boers one day when out on my own look? driving my four- in hand??
Half the regiment is sent out to “Gedkaalflats”?, where a patrol under Cole is cut up, + have to run the gauntlet of a heavy fire to get back. I am very comfortable now.
Sat. Aug. 18th We come to “Guadeboof�? Feel? fuller?? having formed bands with us from the south about Aug. 14th, the first we have seen of
the Natal *army since the beginning of the campaign. I go out on picket with my squadron. The Boers attack one of my pickets about 8:30 pm. I reinforce them + we return their fire. The bullets came burning? all around us, wounding two of my men one dangerously in the stomach. They retire at dusk. Considering my *Natal-- Natal Republic was a Boer republic taken over earlier by the British.
force insufficient to hold my position, it being very extended, I send in for reinforcements, + another squadron is sent out. During the night I entrench my men, making my position practically impregnable.
Sun. Aug 19th I am relieved at 7:30 am, + return to camp, no further attack having been made, at Guedeboof? where we stay until the next day Mon. Aug. 20th, messing in a coach house. Tuesday Aug. 21st The Regiment moves off + two squadrons are detached as escort to Genl French.
including my own, + we move up to a farm, where he is staying about ½ a mile from our present bivouac. This is a very comfortable bivouac amongst some trees, where we stay until the 24th, + get the English Mail of July 23rd, exactly a month old.
Wed. Aug. 24th We move on to Geluk?? S of Belfast, where the Regiment’s advance guard gets in touch with the Boers, no casualties, + our outposts are heavily fired on. In this fight the Liverpool M.I. + the Lincolns get a bad time. This is a filthy camp on the side of a hill all burnt recently consequently the cinders are all flying about, + shells bursting on the ridge about 400 yards away. All the squadron are on a piquet??* except mine which is held in support.
* pique = (n.) offense??
Thurs. Aug. 25th Shells are bursting on the ridge on the ridge above us in the morning from the�Long Tom�. About 11 am I get orders to go to Wonderfontein Sta* at once to get some remounts ** returning the next day, + if the regiment has moved on to follow their trail. This I do arriving at Wonderfontein about 4 pm having taken my waggon, both servants, + some mess stores with me. The horses do not arrive, + I use we are being put off hour by hour as to their arrival. I get some meals at a place there which was a hotel, but was supposed to be closed, very decent people. *Sta= Station ** remounts = fresh horses
Fri. Aug 24-Sat 26th at Wonderfontein waiting for the horses to arrive.
Sun Aug. 24th The horses not having arrived we took on to Belfast, where a battle is going on while we arrive, one Long Tom bursting about 400 yards off. They are thoroughly beaten however. The next day reinforcements having arrived during the night by train, + our shrapnel from about 30 guns including big guns gets them on the run!
when they bolt from cover, + inflict heavy loss. I get orders from the O.C. Belfast to remain there until further orders arrive from Genrl. French what I am to do‌.In the meantime, our prisoners are released, + we hear that Krugar has fled to Pilgrim’s Rest. N.E. of Lydenburg. I remain at Belfast until Sun. Aug*. 2nd when I get permission to rejoin my regiment. (* Appears he means Sept???) Mon. Aug* 3rd I trek about 10:30 am from Belfast with only 7 servants to Delmantha, + thence on to rejoin the regiment over some very hilly country about 6 miles from Delmantha I discover where the camp is by finding one of my sentries on the top of a koppie with my telescope. I arrive in time for tea.
Tues. Aug. 4th We move on about 1 pm?? to Welgelfontein from Levenfontein??, where we camp for the night, get orders to start before light. Wed. Aug. 5th We start at 5:30 form two squadrons strong as a reconnoitering force - my squadron is told off to come to the advance. This we do, and one of my advance scouts is shot 3 times by a Boer jumping out from behind a rock at 20 yards rise. The first 2 killed the horse, + th 3rd missed the man. I send on reinforcing troops skirmishing among the rocks, driving the Boers off the koppie + shooting one without further loss.
The General impressed?? himself as pleased at the scouting and we camp for the night on Bommefor?? Hill Thurs. Aug 6 We move off at 7 am, + march to Carrlina, where we go into camp. Am leaving Bommefor Hill area??. Some Boers sniped some of our men from a farm flying a white flag. Genl French happening to see it immediately ordered a couple of guns to shell the farm, until it was finally set alight and burnt to the ground.
I believe the women and children escaped unhurt. I serves the Boers jolly well right, + teaches them manners I hope. Fri. Aug 7th- Sat. Aug. 8th In camp at Carrlina?, a pretty little place with a good billiard table at the hotel where we stay without adventure. Sat. Aug. 9 We start from Carrlina? at daybreak, + E by N We come in contact with the Boers about mid-day. We start off to do a turning movement on the Boers left. Our guns are banging away send shells over heads to the Boers on a ridge in front of us. I am sent on
in front with my squadron, + a? Colt Automatic Gun. I seize a koppie, + the Boers retire across the open, + I commence magazine fire at about 1500 yards –2000 yards. We move on, + are sitting in a hollow dismounted, when some Boers creep up to within 1000 yards + open fire on some men who were riding across an open space. I immediately without waiting for orders seize a ridge, + open fire. Then bullets came whizzing over our heads , + some of them falling amongst my lead?? horses‌they are moved to a flank. In five minutes they retire.
+ we can see them about 300 strong on a koppie about 30000 yards off. Our Cal*? about 5 pm attempts an impossible turning movement, + at nightfall find ourselves about 8 miles from camp without any blankets, + a bitterly cold night with a strong wind blowing. After nearly freezing on top of a hill where we have to wait until the whereabouts of the bivouac can be ascertained, we arrive there at 9pm’ it being a moonlight night luckily, to find that our carts? have not arrived. A few blankets come through however we all crowd under these and try to keep as warm as possible. We have ridden between 30 + 40 miles to day over a very bad country the last part. We beat the Boers out of their positions + killed a few, our casualties being small. * Cal= cavalry??
Monday Aug. 10th We move on at daybreak, + after a march, my squadron is sent to take a koppie which we find unoccupied. We are on piquet duty that night, but luckily our carts turn up at nightfall are allowed on piquet, + we are very comfortable. No fighting today. We bivouaced last night at “Buffel’s Spirit” + tonight at “Ida 8” Tuesday Aug 11 We move on at daybreak + after a march reach Hornblow?? where we camp.
In front of us is a range of hills held by the Boers and a very strong position, + a big battle is expected tomorrow. Wed. Aug. 12th W get up very early and + breakfast, + are in our position i.e. away on our right flank long before daybreak, so that the Boers might not see our dispositions. By a series of mountain climbing, + getting our guns along somehow + gain the summit of a hill on the right flank before the Boers are aware of where we are. We immediately open with guns + a four-four, while Col. Maban?? on our left brings a cross fire to bear with a big naval gun. The effort is to make the Boers retire?? + we gain the hills with the infantry without loss.
a feat of capable generalship, coupled with the disheartened condition of the Boers. At the beginning of the war might have cost a 1000 lives to gain. We bivouac for the night at the foot of the hills. The infantry building the next?? line, it having been found impossible for us to go further forward on our flank, we having to come back + go by the road eventually. Thurs. Aug. 13 We start at 4:30 am + walk up a very steep hill about a mile long leading our horses all the
guns had to have double teams to drag them up, while the rest of our convoy took 3 or 4 days to do it although light?? After a rest at the top, we start at 6:30 am. We walk nearly all the way leading our horses over a very mountainous country, it being so steep that all you can do to stand your self. French and Brennett Binligh?? I saw tailing?? up a very steep hill in front of me trying to look unconcerned though very hot. After tremendous descent we reach Barbenton??, + coming on it unawares the Boers fly out as we come in,and capture 30 wagons of the convoy + also 7000 pounds of specie belonging to the Transvaal Gov’t, which was being driven in a cart. Another chap + myself go quickly into the
town, where some fellows stood us a couple bottles of beer a tremendous luxury on the veldt, + a good dinner. All officers or men were forbidden to go into town, as snipers were on the hills overlooking it, but as we went in after dark, + came out about 11 pm nobody found out that we had been. Having been up since 3:30 am, + walked + ridden about 30 miles up + down hill, I felt pretty sleepy + tired + slept like a log? Fri. Aug* 14- Wed Oct 3rd At Barberton quite a pretty *Must mean Sept.
little place‌.we have descended about 4000 feet since Carrlina, + it is all shut in around by hills. Consequently it is just like suddenly jumping from winter to summer, the heat being 80 degrees in the shade, instead of the water freezing in your bucket. As we rode in, the tropical plants were growing all around + apples?? + other fruit growing in the open. People very glad to see us, as the place is very English. We get a quantity of mess stores of which we were very low.
light summer shirts. I enjoy the change immensely. A splendid river to bathe in of clear water, + a boarding house with a nice shady slope? with orange blossoms sticking up the air, make us very comfortable. We also redress?? 100 prisoners mostly officers for our arrival here.
Boers are coming in surrendering every daya lot came in to my picquet*, + after disarming them passed them to the Provo Marshall. Barberton does not agree with me, + I get a touch of fever. I go to Hospital + am about a week on milk? and broth diet, after which I get allright, + am detailed to take the dismounted party around to Machadedorp by rail. The regiment going by route march to Godwam?? + then to Machadodorf?? Wed. Oct 3 We start out about 1:00 pm *picquet- sentry duty?
with 50 men of the Carbs, + there are about 12 officers in an open truck. I start in the engine., but after going about 1 1/2 miles the gage glass blows out + immediately the cab of the engine is filled with the steam + scalding water. We are at the head of a long + steep incline, but the engine driver luckily puts on the brake, before we all get outside, + hang on to the railings + jump off when the train stops. I walk back to the station + 2 more engines are sent to pull it back again. All the engine drivers here are amateurs having trainees?? who have volunteered. We finally get off at 4;00 pm + reach Louca?? where we stop for the night, being the 1st train over the deviation + temporary bridge. Telegraphic communication being broken, we were running on sight whistling at curves.
Thurs. Oct. 4 We finally get off about 9:30 + reach Kaprinden??? about 11:30 where there are any amount of burnt trucks, loot? + engines.We reach Helsprint?? that night + I sleep under a verandah.
Fri. Oct 5 The Boers ran a lot of trucks down an incline + smashed them up on purpose trucks piled up one on top of another + I get a photograph of it. We hear that there Boers hanging around the line in front, but reach Waterval? Under
during the night where we stop. Sat. Oct 6th We go up the hill to Waterval?? Boneu? through magnificent scenery—gradient 1-18 + 1-20 all the way. The scenery all the way from Barbenton?? has been grand especially that just before reaching Kiiokadil Point. Get a good breakfast at W B, + play picquet* all the morning on a stoop there, we start about one, + after morning breakdowns reach Machadodorp?? about 3. Total distance covered in 74 hours in special train about 84 miles.
Sun Oct 7Fri. Oct 12th at Macadodorp, where I receive 3 weeks mail the 31st Aug, 7th-+14th. Left– the last named reaching me on the 10th or 11th I was agreeably surprised.
to find I had a birthday having completely forgotten about it. However the people at home didn’t, for my birthday letters I received on the 10th + the present from Bee was cigarettes on the 11th. Pretty good shot. The Regiment turns up on the 9th, + I find my servant has abandoned my waggon, kit bag, bed + a lot of curios I had collected because he said he couldn’t get it up a hill—he coud if he tried hard enough—needless to say I was enraged. However I manage to get hold of another Capé cart, + harness belonging to Maj. Talbot 9th L.who is going to Honnestadt??? by rail .
My squadron being broken up, I am given the 9th Lancer squadron. I am awfullly glad Unear?? has rebuked the idea of going into the Gunners?? –it must be pretty sickening for him being left waiting. This high veldt suits me wonderfully well, + I have quite shaken off any traces or affects of my touch of fever. Sat. Oct. 13th-Fri. Oct 26th We march from Machadodorp?? reaching Carrlina on the 14th, Ermelo on the 15th Bethel on the 20th + Hardleburg?? on the 26th. We had a hard fighting all the way unfriendly around Erulo?? where the Boers showed great dash under L units??....We were so handicapped with the immense cavalry that we were forced to act on a defensive a hateful role.
to Cavalry. Our force consisted’of the 1st and 4th Cav. Brigades, + a missed Brigade of 400 Inf. + 1 Cav. Regiment. The casualties in my regiment were 1 Officer (2nd L Calvert) 1 Sergeant and 3 men killed, + about a dozen wounded. We were invariably up at 3:30 am, + often 14 hours in the saddle, with rain nearly every night. We are promised a rest on reaching Heidleberg, the first since one since the beginning of the campaign. My eye being inflamed through having something in it, + being unable to wash it our for some time, I go off to Johannesburg next day, while
the regiment goes to Pretoria for a rest. Sat Oct 27th –Thurs Oct* 8th In Johannesburg having a simply ripping time. My eye gets quite allright in a day or two + I live at Healters Hotel for 9 or 10 days, as the Regiment is doing nothing in Pretoria. I hear of Utters?? commission, but am unable to cable congrats having no private wires being accepted. I feel quite fit for another trek. I arrive at Pretoria about 7 pm on Oct. 8 after a 2 hour journey, + go to the Grand Hotel. Fri. Oct* 9 Oct—appears he means November??
Sat 21st Vlakfron 252 (about 40 miles just under) 82nd Leenfontein 91 (about 30 miles) 25th Paardekraal 143\ (about 35 miles) 21st Dreflaggte 22nd Teenkoosfrunt?? 304 23rd Reitfprems station 268 21st Witkkpribunk?? 22nd Bankfontein 544 23rd Rhinostafontein 483 _________ The End
South Africa in 1900 (http://www.civilization.ca/cwm/boer/boerwarmaps_e.html#southernafrica)
A Boer Commando posing next to a derailed train http://www.anglo-boer.co.za/photo-gallery/
Boer Soldiers—Grandfather, father, and son http://www.anglo-boer.co.za/photo-gallery/
Maxim Machine Gun (http://www.civilization.ca/cwm/boer/maximmachinegun_e.html0
Norvalspont Concentration Camp (British) http://www.anglo-boer.co.za/photo-gallery
British Soldiers at a Field Hospital http://www.civilization.ca/cwm/boer/battlepaardeberg_e.html
Entrenched http://www.anglo-boer.co.za/photo-gallery
Colt Machine Gun http://www.civilization.ca/cwm/boer/coltmachinegun_e.html
Buffalo Evening News, 1956 obituary (zoom in to read text)