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I recently received this unattributed note about Sanna's Post. It accompanied the group to BQMS J Whitehead of U Bty, RHA.

I was a gunner in U. at the time, but what actually happened will, to me, never be solved, the whole thing was so sudden and surprising that we were in the net practically from the start of the action. We had been retiring all through the night and stopped for a rest about daylight we laid down on the veldt with one leg through our horses reins, when about an hour after, the Boer guns suddenly opened fire on the column, causing a great panic everywhere. We were given orders to move across the spruit and come into action on the rising ground, I think we were in column of route, and about 500 yards from the Boers.

I was with the leading detachment and close to the spruit when suddenly, hundreds of Boer’s heads appeared, and I remarked to the gunner next to me, look they are going to surrender, I had hardly said the words when I was pulled off my horse by a couple of Boers, and hustled into the donga, where we were turned right and left this place was capable of holding hundreds of men and horses, we were dumbfounded, and you can imagine our feelings at not being able to fight back I can’t remember hearing or seeing a shot fired by the enemy till some time later.

The transport started off about the same time as we did, but I don’t remember any of it getting over, I think U. Battery was the first in the trap. I never heard how the sixth gun got away, some said it was through Major Taylor and the Sgt Major for they were not taken prisoners, another peculiar thing was, how did the Sgt Major of Q get taken prisoner?

When the battery was reformed after Pretoria, nothing was discussed about it for the simple reason that the whole thing was so swift that we were ignorant of what actually happened that morning.

There is no doubt that those in command were sadly at fault as there were no sentries or outposts put out and the resting place was an ideal spot for the trap, another half an hours trek would have taken us over the spruit and out of danger, besides saving a lot of lives and also the guns for we knew the Boers were marching on either side of us during the night and that hours rest gave them the time to close the gap.

There is no doubt the Battery’s reputation received a set back here, especially after the action at Klip Drift in the Relief of Kimberley (I believe they had more casualties than all the other batteries) and Driefontein. They came back into their own again during the guerilla warfare, particularly at Bothaville in November against a large force of the enemy, in which both Col. Le Gallias and Col. Ross were killed, Major Taylor then took command of the column, which eventually captured 7 Boer Guns and taking 100 prisoners.

The last I heard of Major Taylor, after being severely wounded was that he was invalided home, a fine Officer and gentleman, when going into action, it was always, come on boys follow

See also Sturgy's posts on Sgt Charles Spearman of U Battery: www.angloboerwar.com/forum/5-medals-and-...-kia-oranjepan#95123

A picture labelled as Q and U Batteries on parade.

A QSA named to U Battery, RHA.

Hi David,

Thanks for posting the note; very enlightening.

I suspect Simon will be pleased to get any information he can get on Sanna's Post .

Whitehead was at the time of SP, the BQMS of the U Battery and was captured during the course of the battle as per the Casualty Rolls and ABW Register. The Q Battery BSM (Cook) did go into the bag and strangely, upon release from Watervale was sent to U Battery as its BSM.

Picture courtesy of Warwick and Warwick

QSA (4) Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal (7569 Cpl Whlr H. Harper U Bty R.H.A.);
1914-15 Star (Whlr-Sjt R.F.A);
BWM and VM (51249 S-Sjt H. Harper )

With Memorial Plaque (Henry Harper)

Henry Harper died on 30th May 1916 serving with C Bty 190th Bde and is buried in Hyde Park Corner Cemetery, Ploegsteert. Soldiers Died lists him as "Died at Sea" but this must be an error if he is buried in Belgium near Ypres.

He was taken Prisoner of War by the Boers at Sanna's Post on 31st March 1900.