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I suppose some might call this doggerel; however I found it appropriate. Written in 1900 by War Correspondent A.B.Paterson.

Firstly, when fighting the Dutchman, make it your cardinal rule -
Think he's a rogue if it please you: NEVER BELIEVE HE'S A FOOL

Never be needlessly reckless - he who does this is a dunce -
Stopping a bullet is easy - but you don't stop 'em well more than once.

Make better use of your cover - don't ride about in full view.
God make the kopjies for Dutchmen - likewise he made 'em for you.

Parties of twenty for scouting - easy to see and to smother
Neither can fight or keep hidden - neither one thing nor the other.

If reconnoitring a kopje, you feel the least shadow of doubt,
Send up one man to inspect it - send up a Rimington Scout!
Dont send a troop for a target for Dutchmen to hustle about.

Never hold more than you've need of - kopjes all round you are strown
If they cant't help you, they'll hurt you - leve 'em severely alone.

If you should find a position, when it would suit you to fight,
Keep it! Don't shift! If you leave it the Boers will come down in the night.
Then you'll go back and they'll shoot you - serve you most damnably right!

Why should you load up with "bully", bringing your transport to grief?
Look at the veldt all around you, stocked with the primest of beef!

Finally, never get jumpy - e'en though the fighting is hot!
Think how often you're shot at - think of how seldom you're shot!


IL.

Banjo knew his stuff.

I would also think that he must have collated this from troops he was spending time with, such as Rimmington's men!

Ryan
I imagine that the "maxims" (a nice little play on a word) would have been gleaned around the camp fires and hammered into shape by him later. Banjo also penned a rather nice little ditty titled "Cape Mounted Rifles" in 1900; to the tune of "Botany Bay".
If you or anyone else is interested, I will dig it out and post it. As my singing voice is several stages worse than that of Stephen Maturin, that is as far as I will take it!.
Regards
IL.

IL

Excellent advice from a wise man! Thank you for the post. It should have been required reading for British officers going on active service in South Africa, but it is probably safe to assume that, instead, the lessons were learnt the hard way.

Regards
Brett

Hello IL

I knew this forum was full of learned members, but I'm particularly delighted to see there's at least one other O'Brian fan here. I'm just re-reading the entire Aubrey/Maturin canon for about the fourth time.

Patrick


quote="LinneyI" post=18479]Ryan
I imagine that the "maxims" (a nice little play on a word) would have been gleaned around the camp fires and hammered into shape by him later. Banjo also penned a rather nice little ditty titled "Cape Mounted Rifles" in 1900; to the tune of "Botany Bay".
If you or anyone else is interested, I will dig it out and post it. As my singing voice is several stages worse than that of Stephen Maturin, that is as far as I will take it!.
Regards
IL.[/quote]

Patrick
The books are a staple of mine and have been for many years. I know that what follows is off-topic; however David might forgive me! I sometimes muse on the number and type of clasps the two main characters would have claimed on their NGSs.
Off to a hearty breakfast in the immemorial custom of the service! There is not a moment to be lost!
Best regards
IL.