Picture courtesy of the London Medal Company

QSA (2) Talana, Defence of Ladysmith; (4100 PTE. M. REILLY. RL. IRISH. FUS.)

Michael Reilly was born in Clones, County Monaghan and attested at Caran on 23rd February 1892 and attested to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers, serving as a Private throughout his military career he would transfer to the 1st Battalion 20th February 1898 and would see service with them in South Africa during the Boer War where he would be present in action at the Battle of Talana on 20th October 1899, before being present during the Defence of Ladysmith between 3rd November 1899 and 28th February 1900.

He would return to the UK on 30th December 1900 and would be posted to the Provisional Battalion. On 17th October 1902 he would be posted back to the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers before being discharged on the termination of his first period of engagement on 22nd February 1904.

£650. DNW December 2003 £260. Dixon May 2004 £365.

Hi again Mark.

It is possible he went out at a later date but only his now non-existent service papers would have confirmed that. The regimental history lists the men who were in SA on 1 October 1899 but most of them would have already been there almost a year before. So, yes he may have gone after his wife fell pregnant with your GF.

The medal roll shows his QSA clasp entitlement as I mentioned. He was in the major action at Talana, the siege of Ladysmith and the actions at Laing's Nek and Belfast. He was subsequently on column duty but not for long as he died only 10 days after Belfast.

It's also possible, but I feel unlikely, that he was in the RDF on temporary attachment. This sometimes happened but usually between infantry regiments or cavalry regiments but not cavalry to infantry or vice versa. He would have been more likely to have been at the 18th Hussars depot in the UK but as I mentioned he's on the list of men who were definitely in SA by 1 October 1899 so even then his wife would have only been in the early stages of pregnancy even if he went out well after the main part of the regiment.

David

Hi Doc-Choc

As is usual for fatal casualties Caddis's attestation and service papers haven't survived. These would have shown the date and place of his enlistment, his age, birthplace and occupation as well as his service details. He has no entry in the Soldiers' Effects series that gives details of any money left and to whom in his will and sometimes gives enlistment details.

I have the QSA & KSA to 4154 Pte. J. Haynes whose number is very close to Caddis's. He enlisted at Hounslow on 17 October 1893 so Caddis must have enlisted only a short time after him.

He was in the original contingent of the 18th Hussars that landed in South Africa on 28 October 1898, almost a year before the outbreak of war, and was stationed at Ladysmith. He served in 'B' Squadron. He was entitled to a QSA with clasps Talana, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Laing's Nek and Belfast. Talana was the first major battle of the war taking place on 20 October 1899. The action at Belfast was the last major set piece battle of the war before the guerilla phase started. It took place on 26 August 1900, just 10 days before he died.

On 4 September 1900 'B' Squadron was the rearguard of a column moving in the area of Dullstroom. The horses were in very poor condition and many of the weakest ones were left to come up with the baggage column. Three men, including Caddis, on their weak horses couldn't keep up with the column and were cut adrift behind it when some Boers attacked and killed* Caddis and took the other two men prisoner. Caddis was buried at Dullstroom where the column halted for the night. *(He is shown as KIA in the account of the action in the regimental history but DOW the following day in other references).

Caddis is an unusual name. There are only 85 men with that name in the entire military section of Findmypast and only one entry for D. Caddis for the ABW. There is no Dennis mentioned. The balance of probability strongly suggests that this is your GGF. He is shown in all references as a private not a sergeant but the glaring discrepancy is that your GF was born in April 1900 while Caddis was in South Africa from October 1898. It may be that he was born out of wedlock but it would be extremely difficult to ascertain at this stage.

His brother may have been born when your GGF was stationed with the regiment in the Gravesend area where Milton is situated. Alternatvely your GGF may have been serving elsewhere as the birth certificate shows he was born in the Union Workhouse in Milton.

Caddis's grave location is confirmed in 'In Memoriam' as being situated at Dullstroom Cemetery.

I hope this helps.

David

Charles Edward Winch

Private, 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment – Anglo Boer War
Private, 32nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment
Private, 338 Protection Company, Royal Defence Corps – (Home Service) - WWI

- Queens South Africa Medal (TALANA/DoL) to 3621 PTE C. WINCH. I: LEIC: REGT.
- Kings South Africa Medal (South Africa 1901/1902) to PTE C. WINCH. LEICESTER: REGT.

Charles Winch was born on 23 September 1870 in Finsbury, London to William George Winch, a Silversmith by trade, and his wife Caroline, born Milner. At the time of the 1871 England census the family lived at 25 Lever Street in the London suburb of Finsbury. Of Charles (1) there was no sign. There were, however, signs of Victorian prosperity with a servant girl, 11 year old Maria Loggett on hand to minister to the family’s needs.

On 9 September 1878 he was admitted to the White Lion St. School in Islington. His mother was recorded as his guardian and the family address was given as 30 Albert Terrace. He left the school on 7 December 1878.

Of Charles and his family there is no sign in the 1881 England census. There was, however, quite a bit of family strife in the 80’s. Charles lost his mother at the age of 44 in December 1882 when he was 12 years old and things got out of hand with some of the family after her death – the Islington Gazette of 5 June 1883 reporting on a spat between siblings which ended up in court. Under the heading “A Singular Family Dispute in Clerkenwell” the article read as follows: -

“On Wednesday at the Clerkenwell County Court, Judge Eddie heard a case in which Alfred Winch, 7 Gee Street, Clerkenwell sued W. Winch, 30 Lloyd’s Road, Clerkenwell for a sum of 10 shillings sixpence, value of a ring pledged by the defendant, with interest. Caroline Winch, sister of the above parties, brought a separate action against the same defendant for the recovery of 12 shillings, value of a watch pledged by the latter, with interest.

Both cases were connected and Mr Popham, solicitor, appeared for the defendant. The evidence of the male plaintiff was that his mother died leaved certain money and property. There were three gold rings, a silver watch and £3.10s. in money in addition to clothing of the deceased. He (plaintiff) assisted in paying the funeral expenses and had taken one of the rings left. Subsequently defendant said that he wished to raise some money for business purposes and asked witness to lend him the ring he had in order to assist him. This he did and the ring was pledged, and on witness making an application for a return of the ring a pawn-slip was given him.

The female plaintiff was next called and deposed that the watch was given her by her mother before she died. The brother had got the watch from her under similar circumstances to those of the ring. Defendant said he was in his mother’s room a few days prior to her death, and she said he was to take the rings, watch and clothing to pay for her funeral expenses. There was only £2.10 in money left, and witness had paid the bill of Mr Lenard, undertaker, which amounted to £6.10s.

Mrs Clark was called on behalf of the defendant to corroborate his statement as to the dying request of his mother, and in the result, the Judge deferred judgement.”

By the time the 1891 England census came round Charles was 21 years old and living with his 30 year old brother Alfred (the aforementioned plaintiff in the case above) and his wife and family in Battersea, London. He was a Coach Painter by trade and the family, after his father had passed away in September 1889, seems to have gone their separate ways.

It wasn’t long before Winch tired of his trade and decided to swap it for a life in uniform instead. On 22 November 1892, at Loughboro, he completed the attestation papers for Short Service with the Colours. Physically 5 feet 8 inches in height he weighed 140 lbs and had a fresh complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair. As his next of kin he provided his brother Alfred, of 1 Dalby Road, Wandsworth, London and brothers William and Henry of Mount View, Southampton. Having been found fit by the Doctor, he was assigned no. 3621 and commenced service with the Leicestershire Regiment. Initially posted to the 2nd battalion, he was transferred to the 1st on 15 May 1895 after having spent 1 year 340 days with the regiment in the West Indies.

His next posting was to be a far more interesting one although, having arrived in the country on 23 December 1895, he had a few years to go before the turn of the century and the events that accompanied it. War-clouds, which had been gathering over the south of Africa for some time, finally erupted into full scale conflict between the Orange Free State and Transvaal Boer Republics and the might of the British Empire on 11 October 1899. Britain already had a military presence on the ground in South Africa but this was limited and insufficient to combat the Boer forces. The Leicester’s were already on the spot so to speak and were part of Sir George White’s forces stationed around Ladysmith when the Boer invasion of Natal came early in October and were in Dundee, with Penn-Symons’ small garrison, when the first real battle of the war took place – that of Talana – named after the hill on Smith’s farm just outside the coal mining town of Dundee.


Map of Talana battle

Early in the morning of the 12th October Boers began to cross the border into Natal. On the 18th October General Erasmus and his men were only seven miles from Dundee. Sir George White, the British commander in Natal, felt anxious about the garrison forty miles away from Ladysmith at Dundee, and telegraphed General Symons to fall back at once. General Symons elected to remain there with 4,000 men while 14,000 Boers slowly closed in upon him.

On the 19th October all communication between Dundee and Ladysmith was cut and in the evening the Boers prepared to advance during the night to be in position to occupy the high hills east of Dundee. At 2.30 A.M. the Boers stumbled upon a picket which they drove in, and occupied Talana hill. The morning of the 20th dawned dull and cloudy by all accounts. Men were seen on the skyline of Talana and very soon an artillery shell burst on the outskirts of Dundee, the first shot of the war in Natal. British artillery quickly replied and soon silenced the Boer artillery on the top of the hill. General Symons then prepared his men for an infantry attack to drive the Boers from Talana hill.

Winch’s 1st Leicestershire regiment together with the 67th field battery were ordered to protect the camp at Dundee and to prevent any incursion from the North. The remainder of the advancing infantry soon encountered heavy Boer rifle fire and consolidated. At 11.30 the artillery ceased firing to allow the infantry to storm the hill. As the infantry moved forward, the Boers retired over the crest of Talana and the action looked won. Just then British artillery opened up again and cleared the summit of both Boers and British. It was nearly 1.30 P.M. before the hill was finally reoccupied against light opposition.

General Symons had been mortally wounded during the attack and he was replaced by Brigadier General Yule. On the 21st General Yule moved his camp to a better position to avoid long range Boer Artillery fire, during which the 1st Leicestershire regiment had lost Lieutenant William Hannah killed and Lieutenant B. De. A. Weldon, together with one man, wounded.

On the 22nd General Yule resolved to retreat back to Ladysmith. It was estimated that the march would take three days. Thirty three wagons, escorted by two companies of the 1st Leicester's returned to the original camp and loaded up with as many stores as they could. As darkness fell, candles were lit in the tents to give the impression that the men were still present. At 9 P.M. the force marched out on the Helpmekaar road in silence. They had left behind them their wounded and a great mass of stores were abandoned to the enemy. The Boers did little to impede the retreat but occupied Dundee soon after the troops had left. Torrential rain did much to slow the General's retreat.

The roads were knee deep in mud and many fast flowing streams had to be crossed. The troops became exhausted and rested on the afternoon of the 23rd October, having reached Van Tonders pass. The column set off again the following morning still without the Boers posing an active threat to them, although they could not have been far behind. Twelve more miles were covered and camp was ordered to be set up when General Yule received orders from Sir George White to press onto Ladysmith without any further delay. The men set off again in total darkness and pouring rain and it was not until dawn the next day that the men saw Ladysmith across a short expanse of plain. The shattered column of exhausted men finally staggered into Ladysmith on the morning of the 26th October.

The Boers were not far behind and were soon observed on the hills around Ladysmith, which was a most unsuitable town to defend. Supplies of water to the town were cut and Sir George White resolved to attack the encircling Boers before they could complete a complete siege. He proposed to send two infantry brigades to storm Pepworth hill, where it could be seen that the Boers were building a gun platform. One of these brigades, commanded by Colonel Grimwood, included the 1st Leicestershire Regiment. Just after midnight on the 30th October, Grimwood's brigade consisting of six miles of men, guns and horses began to move off.

As dawn broke they were in position for their artillery to open fire but their flank had been turned. The Boer Artillery fired back and for four hours the troops were subjected to a heavy and sustained shelling and were soon in disarray. At midday the men were withdrawn before they suffered defeat. The men who had been on the retreat from Dundee seemed to suffer the most; the Leicester's were wandering back into town in groups and seeking water and sleep, having suffered 24 casualties. It was not surprising that the day became known as "Mournful Monday".

Two days later the Boers cut the telegraph line and the railway line to the South, and on the 3rd November they completed the siege of Ladysmith with its garrison of 13,500 troops.


Map detailing where the Leicesters were based in Ladysmith

Ladysmith was divided up into four sections. The Northern salient was section B and was commanded by Major-General F. Howard. It extended from Gordon Hill to Observation Hill and then continued to King's post, Ration Post and Rifleman's post. Within this area was the inner position of Leicester Post with its garrison of the 1st Leicester's.

During the night of the 7/8th December the Leicestershire regiment carried out a raid towards Hyde's farm but failed to discover any of the enemy and returned to Ladysmith without a shot being fired. The siege continued throughout December and into January, with food shortages and health issues increasingly becoming a problem. Dysentery and Typhoid broke out due to the dirty river water being used for drinking, although efforts were made to sterilise it. Towards the end, horses were being slaughtered to sustain the men.

The siege was finally lifted on the 28th February 1900 and the original garrison was given time to recover from their ordeal of disease, short rations and a constant artillery bombardment. They were first of all left by the banks of the Tugela River, where they were joined by reinforcements from England. On March 10th the 1st Leicester's were re-organised and placed in the 8th Brigade 4th Division of General Buller's army of Natal. The men were route marched in order to regain their fitness and many suffered from Jaundice due to over-eating after a long enforced abstinence. It was nearly two months before they were considered ready for active service again.

Having been invalided back to England, Winch was transferred to the Depot on 31 March 1900. He was included in the 1901 England census, having taken up residence with his brother, Alfred, at 1 Dalby Road, once more. Aged 31 and still single, he was described as a Private Soldier.

Having recovered from his malaise, Winch was sent back to South Africa 1 year and 156 days later, taking to the field on 4 September 1901. His regiment was involved in drives against the Boer Commandos during the first half of 1901 when the war devolved into a guerrilla campaign. They then began building a line of block-Houses between the towns of Ermelo and Standerton. The lines would prevent the Boers from crossing from one region to the next and give them no shelter.

Progress was rapid, with two pre-fabricated corrugated iron block-houses being built and one mile of barbed wire being laid each day by the men of the Leicester regiment. The Block-Houses on this line were exceptionally close together, being just 700 yards apart. Once built the 1st Battalion Leicestershire regiment provided the garrison for them. The Leicester's could justifiably claim that they were one of only a few regiments that had been present at the outbreak of the war and were still serving at the end. Winch, for his efforts, was awarded the Queens medal with the relevant clasps. The Kings Medal also came his way by virtue of having served for longer than 18 months in the cause of the war.

After the peace agreement was signed in May 1902 the British regiments prepared to leave South Africa. The 1st Battalion Leicestershire regiment was due to be deployed to Madras, India but Winch, who had attested for seven years with the colours and another five in reserve, returned to England on 13 September 1902 where, on 13 March 1903, he was transferred to the Reserve.

On 8 May 1904, at St. Matthew’s in Fulham, he wed 26 year old Caroline Alice Bull of 19 Kilkie Road. He was a mature 32 years old and a Porter by occupation, resident at 28 Hugon Road. He was discharged from his military obligations, Time Expired, on 21 November 1908 after serving a total of 16 years. His son, Charles Alfred, was born in the same year, on 2 February whilst the family lives at 30 Albert Terrace – the same address as that provided all those years ago when he went was enrolled for school in 1878.

The 1911 England census revealed that Winch, his wife and three children, lived at 35 Dempster Road, Wandsworth. He was 40 years old and still employed as a Hall Porter.

After a period of global tranquillity the world woke up to a war of epic proportions on 4 August 1914. The might of Imperial Germany was pitted against that of Great Britain and her Allies. Winch was a late bloomer, enlisting for service on 22 July 1918. He was to see all of his 272 days service on home soil with the 32nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment with no. 94707 – later transferring to 339 Protection Company, part of the Royal Defence Corps – a type of Home Guard. 45 years old and not deemed fit enough for overseas service, he was discharged on 19 April 1919 to his home address – 75 Bolingbroke Road, Hammersmith. He did not earn any medals.

The West London Observer of Friday, 25th August 1933 carried his obituary. Under the heading “The Late Mr Charles E. Winch” it read: -

“The funeral of the late Mr Charles Edward Winch, of Bolingbroke Road, West Kensington, took place on Saturday last at Hammersmith Cemetery, Sheen. Mr Winch who was 62 years of age, had resided in the borough for 22 years and leave a widow two sons and a daughter. The many beautiful floral tributes, eloquent testimony of the esteem and regard he was held by his many friends.” These included from The Porters Staff at Oakwood Court (doubtless where he had spent many years as a Hall Porter); The Girls of the Fruit and Almond Room (Lyons) and The Employees of Kensington Builders Ltd.

Acknowledgements:
- Article on William Bonnett, Leicester Regiment (self)
- Ancestry. com for census, school, service papers and medal roll data
- Maurice for Map of Leicesters (Ladysmith)
- British Battles for Map of Talana

I have just acquired the QSA to 5504 Pte. R. Rogers of the Royal Irish Fusiliers. He was in receipt of a single clasp (1902) KSA - the search for this one now commences in earnest.



He was taken POW at Nicholson's Nek on 30 October 1899 and invalided back to England on 21 October 1900 after his release from Nooitgedacht in September 1900 - this whilst with the 1st Battalion. He returned to SA with the 2nd Battalion on 16 December 1901 and served out the war.



QSA is with clasps CC/OFS/Talana/TVL

Regards

Rory

Herbert John Edwards – Mentioned in Dispatches

Private, 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment

- Queens South Africa Medal (Elandslaagte/Defence of Ladysmith/Belfast) to 3910 PTE H. EDWARDS. DEVON: REGT

Herbert Edwards was born in the Parish of Withycombe Raleigh in Exmouth, Devon in 1874 the son of John Job Robinson Edwards, a Mariner, and his wife Anne. At the time of the 1881 England census, a 7 year old Herbert was at home, 19 Charles Street, along with his parents and younger siblings George (5), Maria (3) and Richard (1).

Ten years later, at the time of the 1891 England census, the family had moved one down to 18 Charles Street and Herbert, now 17, was a Groom/Domestic Servant. Brother George (15) was a Waiter. A swathe of new arrivals since the last census had ensured that the house was a bustling one with Maria (13) joined by the newcomers Ellen (9), Mary (7), Kate (6), Ethel (4) and Mabel (2).

It was little wonder then that, on 13 March 1894, in order to avoid the clamour at home, he attested for service with the Devonshire Regiment at Exmouth. Confirming that he was a Labourer by occupation he was 18 years and 4 months old and had never lived outside of his parental home. He was still a serving member of the Devon Artillery (W.D.R.A.) and was 5 feet 7 inches in height with a sallow complexion, hazel eyes and light brown hair. He weighed a slender 128 lbs and had a number of tattoos – tattoo marks on the back of his left forearm and hand and a tattoo spot on the front of his left forearm. He also sported a number of scars – three on his forehead, one on his left cheek and one under his left jaw. There was also a white scar on the side on the left side of his back.

Assigned no. 3910 and the rank of Private he commenced service with the Colours. First sent to India with his regiment where he participated in the Tirah Campaign, he was deployed to South Africa, garrisoned in Ladysmith, on 21 September 1899. The Devons had, along with a number of other regiments, been posted to South Africa in anticipation of war with the Transvaal and her ally, the Orange Free State. This eventuality came about on 11 October 1899 with the Boer Commandos invading Natal and the Cape Colony overnight.


Devons at Elandslaagte

The first action fought in the Natal theatre was that of Talana at Dundee. A pyrrhic victory for the British forces, the Devons were not involved. Their chance to encounter the Boers came a day later, on 21 October 1899, at Elandslaagte – a little-known and rather nondescript railway station between Dundee and Ladysmith. Accounts of the battle abound but, for the purposes of this article, I have decided on the version contained in the official history of the regiment – the Record of a Regiment of the Line by Colonel M. Jacson. His account read thus: -

“By next day (day after Talana) a detachment of Boers had reached the neighbourhood of Modder Station and had taken up a position near Elandslaagte. This detachment consisted of some 650 Boers, with two guns, under the leadership of General Koch, who was charged with the task of cutting off the retreat of the forces at Glencoe and Dundee, and who had been sent forward for that purpose. General Koch had at the same time practically joined hands with the Free State Boers, who were in the neighbourhood of Bester's Station on the Ladysmith-Harrismith line.

In order to reoccupy Elandslaagte and to secure General Yule's line of retreat, Sir George White ordered out a force consisting of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, of which four companies of the Regiment formed a part, under the command of General French. These companies went out in the morning by train under Major Curry, and detrained near Modder Station.


Map of Elandslaagte showing dispositions of the various forces engaged

At 1 p.m. further reinforcements were sent out to General French, and the three remaining companies of the Regiment were ordered to proceed by train to Modder Station to join the wing under Major Curry. The seven companies were then under the command of Major Park.

The Boers occupied two cones of some low hills overlooking Elandslaagte railway station. General French's artillery came into action on some high ground 4400 yards distant from the Boer position, and between the two forces was an open undulating plain affording little or no cover, and across which the attack had to be delivered.

The Gordon Highlanders and Manchester were to attack round the Boers' left flank, whilst the Devons were to make a frontal attack. From the nature of the position which they had taken up, no commanding positions affording flanking fire and protection to their flanks were obtainable by the Boers. These were open and could be easily threatened by the cavalry and the mounted infantry. The Boers had two guns in position on one of the two cones, and with these guns they did good execution, knocking over a limber of one of French's batteries at the second shot, and practically before his guns came into action.

General French's force, now considerably augmented, marched off at 2.30 p.m. The 1st Devon Regiment was formed in company column at fifty paces as a reserve to the Manchester Regiment, After proceeding about a mile heavy firing was heard on the right front, direction was changed half- right, and the Regiment was then ordered to form for attack on the left of the Manchesters, and to take up a front of 500 yards. Three companies were placed in the firing line and supports under Major Park, and four companies in reserve under Major Curry. At about 3.15 p.m. the firing-line reached the top of a low hill, and came in sight of the enemy's position distant about 4400 yards. Here a halt of a quarter of an hour was made, and at 3.30 p.m. orders were received by the Regiment to make a frontal attack on the position, to advance to within effective rifle range, and to then hold on till a flank attack by the Manchesters and Gordons came in on the right. The ground between the Regiment and the position sloped slightly up to the foot of the low rocky hills, on which the enemy was posted. There was no cover of any kind, except a few ant-heaps, in the first half of the distance.

The firing-line advanced keeping intervals and covering a front of about 600 yards, the centre being directed on to a conical hill at the back of the enemy's camp. The reserve followed in column of companies, in single rank, at fifty paces distance between companies. The enemy's guns opened on the Regiment at once with shrapnel, but most of the shells went high, only one striking the reserve companies. A steady advance to about 1200 to 1300 yards from the position was made, when, the rifle fire becoming rather heavy, fire was opened by section volleys. The light was bad, and it was very difficult to see the enemy or estimate the distances. In a few minutes the supports reinforced, and the firing-line then pushed on to the foot of the slope, and established itself in a shallow ditch 800 to 900 yards from the position. Here it held on, firing sectional volleys, till the flank attack appeared on the hill, apparently about 500 yards from the position.

An advance by companies from the right was then ordered, and, the reserve reinforcing, a further 200 yards was gained. Some bugling and shouting was then heard on the hill. A rush to 350 yards was now made, and, after a short pause to allow the men to get breath, bayonets were fixed and the position charged, four companies assaulting the detached hill on the left, the remaining three companies assaulting the hill on which the enemy's guns were. F and G Companies were the first to reach and take possession of the guns, the Gordon Highlanders coming up on the right shortly afterwards. The companies then moved on down the reverse slope and opened fire on the retiring enemy. On the detached hill only five of the enemy were found alive, and they showed a white flag as the hill was charged.

The Regiment was then re-formed, and held the detached hill during the night. During the three hours it was under fire, the battalion kept line and intervals carefully throughout, and adjusted sights and fired as steadily as if on parade. It is to the perfect steadiness of the men and the absence of all crowding that the very small losses from the enemy's fire, which at all times was heavy, can be attributed.”


Map showing dispositions

Maurice in his official History of the War was more descriptive of the events as they unfolded: -

“At 4.30 p.m. the infantry rose and moved forward. On the left the Devonshire, with three companies covering some 600 yards in front, and four companies in reserve, in column, with 50 paces distance between the single ranks, steered upon the tall cone which marked the right-centre of the Boers. Their march led them at first downhill into the broad bowl which lay below the foot of the kopjes, a hollow as smooth as a meadow but for the infrequent ant-hills. Shrapnel began from the first to burst over the battalion, but the soldiers pressed steadily onward until, at a point some 1,200 yards from the enemy, severe rifle-fire began to play upon them, and they were halted to reply to it. Their section volleys soon beat heavily about the Boer right, and pinned the burghers to their sangars. A little later, the Devonshire firing line, now stiffened by the supports, advanced again down the bullet-swept slope and gained a shallow donga about 850 yards from the crest. Here Major C. W. Park disposed his battalion for a musketry fight. He had carried out the first part of his orders, and it was necessary now to await the development of the attack in progress against the other flank. With some loss, therefore, the Devonshire lay within close range of the hostile lines. So briskly, however, did they engage them, that the attention of a great part of the Boer force was drawn to that direction, and for a time the simultaneous movement against the other flank proceeded almost unnoticed.

About 5.30 p.m. the line of battle had arrived at the foot of the kopjes; then, swinging slightly towards the left, so as to envelop still more the flank of the enemy above, all supports and reserves being now absorbed, it began to make head upwards, still by short rushes. It was now nearly dark; rain burst down on them in a torrent: the men, breathless from their eager pace, began to slacken somewhat in their difficult progress up the hill-sides. At this moment Colonel Hamilton, who had previously ridden to where the Devonshire still held fast the Boer right with their volleys, hurried back to the main attack. He at once ordered the "charge" to be sounded, and running to the front, himself led the last onset. The Devonshire simultaneously leaped from the donga where they had lain more than an hour, and, advancing by companies from the right, reached the base of the final kopje. For an instant they halted to gain breath and fix bayonets, then, coming to the charge, assaulted the portion before them, and carried it without a check, four companies swinging to the left against the northernmost kopje, and three moving straight upon the main hill whereon stood the enemy's artillery. Here, as occurred all along the Boer line, though many fled at the sound of the charge, many stood and continued shooting at the troops until the latter were within twenty yards of them. Below the main crest a bitter contest was also maintained, for as at Talana, many Boers, seeing the soldiers determined to win the summit, pressed forward to oppose them, and lay firing behind the rocks until their assailants were almost upon them. Some acting thus were made prisoners; some escaped to the rear at the last moment; many were shot down as they ran. The assault poured on unchecked, the two guns falling to the converging Devonshire. At 5.55 p.m. the infantry held all the upper part of the hill.”

As can be seen from the above, the Devons bayonet charge played a crucial role in the British success that day. Forced by circumstance to spend a cold and wet night on the battlefield, the Devons returned to Ladysmith the next morning.

It wasn’t long before they were back in action – Jacson’s History once more: -

“The Free State Army had by now come across to the east, and were in the neighbourhood of Modder Station, and on October 24th a column was again ordered out with the object of assisting General Yule's force in from Dundee. This column consisted of the 5th Lancers, 19th Hussars, Natal Carbineers, Border Mounted Rifles, Imperial Light Horse, Devons, Liverpools, Gloucesters, 60th Rifles, and twenty guns, in all about 5500 men. The enemy was found posted on Tinta Inyoni Mountain, on the summit of which they brought a gun into action and fired on to the head of Sir G. White's force, which was in column of route on the road, but without doing any damage. The action began at 8.30 a.m.

At the commencement of the action the battalion was in reserve, and was ordered to extend and lie down at the foot of the first slope facing the enemy's position, and some 300 yards north-west of the railway line, sending scouts to the crest of the ridge to watch the front. Four companies were shortly afterwards ordered to advance in attack formation, forming their own supports, and to place themselves on the left of the Gloucester Regiment, which was in front of the Regiment at the time. The Regiment was then on the extreme left of the firing-line. The four companies of the reserve worked round under cover to a small nullah about 300 yards on the left and then advanced up it. The firing- line advanced, under slight rifle fire, across a rocky plateau till they gained a small ridge overlooking the front, and opened fire by section volleys on to a ridge about 800 yards in front, from which a rather heavy fire was coming.

The Maxim gun under Lieutenant Price- Dent came into action in rear of the left of the line and fired at the enemy to the left front. The enemy's fire from this ridge was soon silenced, and from that time the only objective the line had was a few scattered Boers and their horses on the rear slope of the high hill to the left front, some 2000 yards distant. The reserve was deployed into two lines of double companies on and below a small ridge of rocks some 250 yards in rear of the firing-line. At about 2 p.m. the retirement commenced, and the battalion gradually followed the Liverpool Regiment and became rearguard. Ladysmith was reached about 3.30 p.m., after a sixteen-mile march in torrents of rain.”

The Battle of Ladysmith or Nicholson’s Nek aka the battle of Farquhar's Farm was fought on October 30th, 1899. The whole army was ordered out at 3 a.m. The battalion formed part of the reserve brigade under Colonel Ian Hamilton and did not play a prominent role in what turned out to be a disastrous day for the garrison.

By the 3rd November the Boers had encircled Ladysmith, effectively besieging the town. The Devons were ordered to take up the two posts of Cemetery Hill and Helpmekaar Hill. These were the most eastern kopjes of the defences. They skirted the Helpmekaar road and were immediately under Bulwana and Gun Hill. These were distant only some five thousand yards, and dominated by Devon Post. The battalion was distributed as follows: three companies on Helpmakaar Hill, two companies on Cemetery Hill, with three companies in reserve near the road and river-bed immediately beneath Cemetery Hill. Devon Post received its first shells on the morning of the 3rd, These were aimed at the tents of the reserve companies, which were rather ostentatiously pitched on the plain by the river-bed under Cemetery Hill. The shells were fired from a high-velocity 3-inch gun on Bulwana. The tents were immediately moved closer under the hill, where they were out of sight from Bulwana. The Boer guns were then trained on to the working parties, and some fifty shells were burst in the works (just commenced and affording little cover) on Helpmakaar and Cemetery.

The Boers seemed content to play a waiting game, hoping that the lack of food and the rising death toll through malnourishment and disease would do their work for them. This approach didn’t sit well with the more assertive elements among them and, after a Krygsraad, it was decided to launch an all-out assault on the town in an effort to force its surrender. The Boer attack of January 6th on the positions round Ladysmith commenced on Wagon Hill at about 2.45 a.m., and the Boers were not finally repulsed till after dark on the evening of the same day. As the great attack has been so ably described by various authors, it will suffice here to give a rough outline of what took place on Caesar's Camp and Wagon Hill prior to the companies of the Devon Regiment reaching the latter place.


The Devons clearing Wagon Hill with a bayonet charge

The Boers attacked Wagon Hill at about 2.45 a.m., and amidst a good deal of confusion on the top, where a 4,7 gun was in the act of being mounted, gained possession of the front crest. Their attempt to take Wagon Hill itself failed. Reinforcements consisting of two companies Gordon Highlanders and three squadrons of LL.H. were sent to assist the 60th Rifles, the men of the I.L.H., and the detachment of Sappers already engaged with the Boers.

An hour later the attack on Cassar's Camp developed. The Manchesters were prepared for them, and one company Gordon Highlanders was sent to reinforce. The Boers, unable to advance against the front crest of Caesar's Camp, attempted to turn the flank of the Manchesters along the northern slopes. This attempt was foiled by the advance of the one company Gordon Highlanders, assisted by the 53rd Battery which had come into action on the plain below. The Rifle Brigade reinforced Caesar's Camp at about 7 a.m., and two more companies of the Gordons were sent there at about 2 p.m. By 10 a.m. the Boers had been pushed back off Caesar's Camp, and Wagon Hill was reported nearly clear. Wagon Hill was further reinforced by the 18th Hussars at 10 a.m.

At 1 p.m. the Boers, who had always hung on to their crest line, again attempted to rush Wagon Hill point, and though they gained a temporary advantage failed to establish themselves. Sir George White ordered that the hill should be cleared of Boers at all costs before nightfall, and he sent the 5th Lancers and 19th Hussars to support the troops already at Wagon Hill, and at the same time three companies of the Devons were ordered to proceed there with all dispatch.

At 10 a.m. the three companies of the Devons, which were in camp, commanded respectively by Captain W. B. Lafone, Lieutenant Masterson with Lieutenant Walker, and Lieutenant Field, the whole commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Park, had been ordered to proceed to the camp near Iron Bridge vacated that morning by the Gordon Highlanders, to be ready as a reserve if wanted. At about 3.30 p.m. these three companies received orders to proceed at once to Wagon Hill to reinforce Colonel Ian Hamilton's command and to push on, as help was urgently required. The Adjutant, Captain H. S. L. Ravenshaw, was sent back to camp to order rations and water to be sent out. Wagon Hill was reached at 4.45 p.m., and it was then ascertained that the 5th Lancers and 19th Hussars had already been merged into the firing line, and that a party of forty or fifty Boers were still in possession of the hill some 100 yards in front of the ridge held by the Imperial Light Horse, and directly in front of where the three companies were then halted under cover, that these Boers had been holding on all day there and inflicting great loss, and that our troops had been unable to dislodge them. Colonel Park was asked if he could turn them out by rushing them with the bayonet. He answered, "We will try."

After the three companies had been formed up in column with bayonets fixed and magazines charged, Colonel Park gave the order to advance at fifty paces interval in quick time, and when the top of the ridge was reached to charge the position occupied by the Boers. The charge took place in a blinding hailstorm, a time well chosen, as the hail was beating into the faces of the Boers. The men, before reaching the place where they formed up for the charge, were wet through, and had put on their warm coats which they had carried strapped on to their belts.

When the storm was at its height, Colonel Park gave the order to charge. Lieutenant Field, who commanded the leading company, rushed forward up the slope, shouting, "Company, double charge!” He was immediately followed at a distance of about ten yards by Masterson's company, which was immediately followed by Lafone's. As they got to the top of the crest they came in view of the sangar of rocks held by the I.L.H. At the corner of this they had to change direction half right, and the moment they reached it came under fire from the Boers. There was necessarily some crowding at this corner, owing to the change of direction, and the fact that the companies in their eagerness had followed so soon the one behind the other. There was, however, no halting, no dwelling here. On they went to reach their goal, 130 yards away, over perfectly flat open ground, fired into at short range from right, left, and front. Three parts of the way across Park directed the rear company more to the right, the position the Boers occupied being in a semicircle.


Map showing where Devons were based in Ladysmith

The enemy held on, firing most heavily, until the charging lines were within fifteen yards of them, and then ran down the slope and disappeared behind a ridge of rocks some forty yards ahead, beyond which the ground was dead and fell steeply away to the front. Almost before the men could be secured in the position they had won, bullets began to come in quickly from the right and left, and the cover of the rocks had to be sought as several men were hit. A few of the Boers who had been dislodged also crept back to the low ridge of rocks in front and began firing, and it was at this time that Captain Lafone and Lieutenant Field were hit. Lieutenant Walker, Somerset Light Infantry, and about thirty -five men were hit during the charge. Colonel Park was then the only officer left, the three companies being commanded by non-commissioned officers.

The position won was held until the Boers retired under cover of darkness. The men were then placed in defensive positions, and picquets told off. The wounded were subsequently cared for and the dead left where they had fallen till daylight. Colonel Park described the fire of the Boers as like the crackle of a piece of gorse in a blazing fire. Half the survivors had their clothing shot through, and the majority of the killed were found to have been hit two or three times.

The strength of the force was 5 officers and 184 non-commissioned officers and men, of whom 3 officers and 14 men were killed and 1 officer and 34 men were wounded. Although the loss was great, viz. nearly one third of the total number, it is a matter of surprise that more were not hit during the run of 130 yards, exposed as they were for about three minutes to magazine fire at a point-blank range. It can be accounted for by the fact that the Boers crouching behind the rocks were rather below than above the level of the men, and their fire being consequently directed upwards, the bullets passed high and over the heads of the charging companies. This would explain why the majority of the killed were shot through the head.

Whilst the three companies were performing such gallant deeds on the southern defences, the three companies under Major Curry were holding their own on the northwest defences at Observation Hill. The Boers attacked this post heavily in the morning, and were supported by six field-guns, which were supposed to have been the Colenso guns of General Buller's army, shrapnel being continually burst with excellent precision over the defences. The account of the fighting which took place is told in Major Curry's own words: —

“The battle of Ladysmith (Wagon Hill) commenced between 2 and 3 a.m. on Caesar's Camp and soon we were engaged all round. The three companies which had proceeded to Observation Hill originally had just been relieved by three fresh companies. At about 4 a.m. Lieutenant Emerson reported to me that there was a party of Boers to his front, that he had fired on them, and that they had retired. I thought it was the usual picquet and that they had gone right back (it was too dark to see much); but such was not the case, for they had concealed themselves in a fold in the ground about 300 yards to our front. Their strength must have been between seventy and eighty. The enemy brought fire to bear on us from a 40-pounder howitzer, a field-gun, and a Hotchkiss on Surprise Hill, and from one or two field-guns on the hill to our right over Hyde's Farm. They pounded away all the morning, and brought a continuous rifle fire on our position as well. At about 9.30 a.m. I heard a rattle of musketry from our centre work, and when I went up there I found that the enemy, who had concealed themselves in the fold in the ground in the early morning, had advanced right up the hill and had got within a few yards of our sangars before being seen. We killed nine and wounded twelve. They retired again to their cover, where they remained for the greater part of the day, slipping away by ones and twos back to their position. At about 4 p.m. a tremendous thunder and hail storm came on, which blotted out everything. The fire, which had ceased as the storm came on, was not renewed. Our loss was two killed by rifle fire, when the Boers made their attack. Our sangars were frequently breached by the 40-lb. shell during the day, but there was no loss from shell fire."

These three companies were relieved by the Leicesters the next evening.

Another (shortened) version – from the website of The Keep Military Museum (Devons & Dorsets) – read as follows: -

'January 6th was to become a famous day in the Battalion's history. On that day the Boers launched a determined attack on the two tactical vantage points at Caesar's Camp and Wagon Hill, a flat-topped hill running east and west on the south side of the township.

The Boers had crept up at first light, reaching the edge of the crest. Heavy fighting ensued with losses on both sides. At 4 p.m. Lieutenant-Colonel Park, commanding the 1st Devons, received orders to take his three remaining companies to the assistance of Colonel Ian Hamilton who was struggling to hold his position on Wagon Hill. The Devons were on the move within 10 minutes and reached Wagon Hill in a thunder storm at around 5 p.m. Here they learnt that around 50 Boers were holding a small ridge about 100 yards directly in front of the British line. They were expert shots and were forcing Hamilton's men to remain under cover. Hamilton and Park agreed that the only way to dislodge them was by bayonet. "Can you do it?" Hamilton reputedly asked Park. "We will try" was the reply. The men of the 1st Battalion fixed their bayonets and charged, cheering and shouting.

The terrain was flat grassland with no cover. The Boers fired again and again, many Devons were hit but they were not deterred. When they reached within 15 yards of the Boers, the Boers turned and ran. However the battle was not over as the Battalion was exposed to cross fire on both sides.

By 5.40 p.m. the battle was still under way. Despite this and despite the torrential rain and hail the Devons hung on. Finally, when darkness fell, the Boers retreated. The Devons were victorious.”

Ladysmith was relieved on 1 March 1900 – 120 days after the siege commenced. The severely emaciated garrison needed time to recover and the Devons were only able to join Buller’s army as it marched north, expelling the Boers from Natal and venturing into the Transvaal, in early August where, later on that month, they were to fight in the last pitched battle of the war (the guerilla phase followed.)

This was the battle of Belfast or Dalmanutha (as favoured by the Boers.) Colonel Jacson takes up the account once more: -

“Briefly, the course of the two days' battle may be described as follows : —

While Pole Carew threatened the centre at Belfast and the position north of the railway, French was sent with his cavalry division still further north to threaten the Boer line of retreat towards Pilgrim's Rest, and their right flank. Buller attacked the Boers' left with the intention of driving it in and getting behind their centre on their line of retreat. He on the first day, however, could make no impression on them, and the two forces held on to the position they were in for the night. On the morning of the second day Buller, leaving a brigade of infantry and Dundonald's mounted brigade to watch the Boers' left, moved across their front under cover of the undulating slopes of ground, and made an attack at Bergendal Farm and Kopje. After a sharp fight this was carried, and the Boers retired all along their line in the direction of Machadodorp.

It is necessary to state in detail the part played by the Regiment.

On the morning of Sunday, August 26th, Buller's force was put in motion. The Regiment was advance guard to the division. When about half a mile from the camp, the four advanced and extended companies under Captain Jacson came under fire from some high ground on their right flank, losing two men. Major Davies, proceeding along this ridge of high ground with the remainder of the Regiment, forced the Boers posted there off the hills. The advance guard companies then continued their march with orders to make Bergendal Farm their point, but not to go beyond it.

When these companies had proceeded some four or five miles, it was found that General Buller's main body had changed direction to the right and had gone east. On retracing their steps, the companies with great difficulty ascertained the whereabouts of Buller's force. Sir Redvers was now attacking the Boer left within a mile or two of his former camping ground. A message was then received stating that the Regiment was at that time a left flank guard to Buller's army, and that the former advance guard companies were to join the remainder of the Regiment.

The Boers, opposed to Buller in very considerable numbers, were sangared on some low hills about 800 yards distant from and in front of and below the high ridge over which his force had to advance. Buller made his dispositions behind this high ridge. The reverse slope was completely raked by the Boer fire, and no cover except that afforded by some ant hills was obtainable. The dropping bullets of the guns. These came under shell fire from the Boer guns and had some casualties, amongst whom was Colour-Sergeant Burchell, who was shot through the shoulder. Under General Buller's direct supervision one company was ordered forward. Immediately their four scouts showed over the crest line a storm of bullets met them, and they were all hit.

The four scouts were found dead on the second day afterwards by the Liverpool Mounted Infantry. Dusk found the companies posted as under:

Three companies extended on the ridge on the left, with two companies extended in support on the rear side of the hill. One company was extended on the ridge in the centre, whilst three companies were near the guns, three-quarters of a mile away on the right. One man was killed and one wounded just at dark by unaimed fire and by the last shots fired. The companies on the ridge retired to the crest of the hill after dark and took up an entrenched outpost line for the night. Rations were then issued for the following day.

The casualties of the battalion for the day were 6 killed, 15 wounded, and 2 prisoners. The next day the Devons were held in support and took almost no part in the decisive action which routed the Boer force. Before the end of the war the 1st Devons were to know the Belfast-Dulstroom-Lydenburg district well, as they remained in it till the spring of 1902. During a great part of 1901 the battalion was in columns under Major General W Kitchener and other commanders, which operated both south and north of the Delagoa Railway, and did very excellent work.

Edwards would not have been party to any action in the last few months of the war. He was despatched to India, along with his regiment with effect from 19 January 1902 – not before he was Mentioned in Dispatches in Lord Roberts’ dispatch of September 10, 1901. Although not mentioned for a specific action, it can be assumed that he was brought to the attention of his superiors between the relief of Ladysmith and a time after Belfast battle.

Things were going awry for Edwards in India, his unblemished record was about to be besmirched. His service record relaying the news that, from 20 to 29 August 1902, he was “In confinement awaiting trial by District Court Martial for striking his superior officer being in the execution of his office.” Having been found guilty he was imprisoned for 28 days with Hard Labour – returning to duty 27th September.

After 4 years and 49 days in the Far East, Edwards returned to England on 9 March 1906. Four days later he was discharged on expiry of his terms of engagement, having completed 12 years of service. He was destined never to enjoy a life out of uniform, passing away in June that year. Today his mortal remains lie buried in the St. Margaret and St. Andrew Churchyard in Littleham, East Devon.

Acknowledgements:
- Ancestry for medal rolls, census and death data
- FMP for Edwards Service Record
- Newspaper reports acknowledged in the body of this work
- Maurice, History of the South African War - Elandslaagte
- Jacson - Record of a Regiment of the Line

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (1) Talana (4444 Pte. P. Cregan, Rl. Dublin Fus:)

Patrick Cregan was born in Dublin in 1873. A labourer, he attested for the Royal Dublin Fusiliers on 1 July 1892 and served for over three years in India from 9 February 1894. It was here that he was awarded his Certificate for Transport Duties, dated 7 September 1896. Transferred to South Africa on 18 May 1897, he was passed for Corporal on 8 March 1898 and witnessed service during the Boer War as part of the Natal Field Force. The official casualty roll records Cregan wounded in action whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion at Dundee on 20 October 1899. Invalided 26 March 1900.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (5) Talana, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (5236 Pte. P. Collins, Rl. Dublin Fus:);
[ KSA (2) ]

Spink December 1980 £125

QSA: WO100/209p99. KSA: WO100/347p293

Advertised by Liverpool Medals yesterday and unavailable today.

QSA (1) Talana (W P Harvey. Dundee Tn Gd).

William Paul Harvey, Dundee Town Guard, who died at Dundee during 1901 aged 19.

The !st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers (1/RIF) QSA Medal Roll bearing the name of Felix Crawley:



Three thoughts: (1) would not the "Forfeited" mean he forfeited the medal & clasps and not just the clasps; (2) Looking at the left hand column we find "Rel'd 11/1/05" - I suspect two years after Felix was discharged the matter was reconsidered and a more lenient view taken of his behaviour and his medal(s) was released (i.e. issued) on 11th January 1905; (3) As the 1/RIF did not return to England until just after the was ended drawing up the Medal Roll in in July 1901 seems extremely premature.

After the Battle of Talana Hill (20th October 1899), when some of the 1/RIF casualties were due to friendly fire, the 1/RIF were responsible for the biggest capitulation ever up until that time of British Forces at Nicholson's Nek on 30th October 1899 when over 450 of them surrendered to the Boers - Felix Crawley was amongst them and not released until 5th September 1900 meaning of his 2 years 248 days in South Africa for nearly 300 days he was a PoW - see the below from the Ballymena Weekly Telegraph of 29th September 1900. The Cork Weekly News of 14th July 1900 lists all the 450+ prisoners by Company which shows Felix was in A Company. If you go to the write-up on the 1/RIF on this site (via the Unit Information in the menu to the left of the screen) you will see A Company were not one of the Companies that initiated the catastrophe and I suspect Felix and his Company were prepared to fight on when somebody prematurely raised the white flag.



I would agree that Felix does seem to have been discharged prematurely in shame as he was over a year shy of the seven years of active service he signed up for and the fact that he was not discharged to the Army Reserve suggests the army wanted to be shot of him.

The last page of his service records shows he had an elder brother Thomas and looking at the above listing one can make out 2805 Drummer J M'Aleer. Thus I am afraid I conclude this article in the Irish News of 9 October 1907 refers to him: