TOPIC:

This article from The Times, 15 May 1901 gives the number of farms burnt by month for the period June 1900 to January 1901.

From the debate in the HoC, 10 June 1901:

MR. JOHN ELLIS (Nottinghamshire Rushcliffe)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the policy and practice of burning farm buildings, mills, cottages, and other buildings in South Africa for military reasons has been discontinued; and, if so, at what date and on whose instructions; and whether he can supplement the figures given up to the end of January, 1901, in the Return laid before the House by the figures for any and each of the months since, during which this destruction may have been carried into effect.

MR. BRODRICK

I informed the House some time ago that, except in 1459 cases of treachery and certain recognised military offences, farm houses would not be burned. Specific orders to this effect were given by Lord Kitchener on 7th December, 1900, and I have every reason to think they have been observed. I have no further information as to numbers, but I have requested Lord Kitchener to have a return prepared.

MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)

May I ask whether houses have been burned indiscriminately, whether occupied or not?

MR. BRODRICK

I do not think that can be the case. The Return will show the details.

MR. FLAVIN

May I inform the right hon. Gentlemans—(cries of "Order.")

MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member cannot impart information by way of a question.

MR. FLAVIN

May I ask whether it is a fact that vacant houses have been burned by the British authorities?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! That has been answered.

MR. FLAVIN

I have it on the statement of one of the Volunteers who burned the houses down.

Was there reciprocal burning too?

HoC, 22 February 1901

MR. DILLON

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any information as to the number of farms of loyalists burned by the Boer forces since they entered Cape Colony two months ago. I wish also to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the policy of farm burning was carried out by the troops under the command of Sir Redvers Buller.

MR. BRODRICK

I am not in a position to give any information about the burning of farms until I receive the information from Lord Kitchener which is now on its way home.

MR. DILLON

My question has reference to the burning of farms in Cape Colony by the Boer forces. Have the Government any reason to believe that the Boers have burnt any number of farms anywhere?

MR. BRODRICK

I have no information on the subject at present, but I have said I will put a further question to Lord Kitchener on the subject.

A different perspective from a letter in The Times, 8 Dec 1900:

Lord Roberts stops the practice. The Times, 10 Dec 1900:

The officer commanding Rimmington's Guides did not seem to pay attention, perhaps the C in C neglected to mention it to him!

djb wrote: Lord Roberts stops the practice. The Times, 10 Dec 1900: