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1900 - From the letters writer by Lt Col Park in Ladysmith

I am all right again, though a little feeble from four days of slops and starvation, as if one doesn’t eat the ration meat there is not much else in these days. I get a horrid hankering for some nice dainty little foods occasionally, more especially good fish, like cod or sole, and fresh rolls and butter, but there is absolutely nothing left now except meat, bread, tea, sugar, and coarse mealie flour, with a little rice, and a tot of lime-juice twice a week. Happily, it can hardly be for much longer. The latest report says the last of the seige guns were to be at Durban today, and the most popular date for Buller’s advance, among the many rumours, is the 10th, which I could think is quite likely. None of the seven wounded subalterns are back from the hospital yet, but we get the best and most cheery accounts of them all daily, and they say some of them will be back in a day or two.

I never sent any New Year Message to my little dogs, bless ’em, though I do wish them both a very happy year, dear lambs. Give my Bim a kiss from poor father on top of his sweet round forehead. I hope he got lots of cakey at Christmas time, and that he has been a good dog, and taken care of his mother all these weary months. Oh!. I do hope and pray I may get some letters within a week or ten days. It will then be three full months since the last news of you.

1900 - From the diary of Trooper A J Crosby, Natal Carbineers

Horse guard 2 and 4. Retired to Base in the Thorns at daybreak, going in later to camp with pack pony etc. On the way in, E. Squadron of the Imperial Light Horse passed, amongst them C.S. Mann and W. Weir. Soon after loading up, a shell burst in a store house 15 yds. off. I made for the Officers’ shelter. A number of women, girls and kiddies had a terrible fright, their place of refuge being immediately struck. Returned to camp 5.15, just escaping another soaking as the remainder of our men got drenched to the skin. While at dinner I was told there was an English letter waiting for me at the Orderly Room. I quickly go it and found it was from Rose dated 6th Oct. It had been lying at the Post Office, where it must have arrived the day before we closed down.

1900 - From the diary of Miss Bella Craw in Ladysmith

Nothing to relate today. The usual rumours but not worth noting. There are over fifteen hundred sick at Indombi. Really this sickness is too awful, far worse than the warfare. Mama is still feverish and very seedy. I do hope she is not going to be ill.

Images relates to Major Vallentin. My thanks to Elmarie for the first 2 images.





The plaque is from the Anglican Church in Ladysmith.

Just two days later, Corporal W Weir of the Imperial Light Horse referred to by Tpr Crosby in his diary entry saved the life of his Squadron commander, Captain Codrington, during the epic Battle of Wagon Hill, and was awarded the DCM for his heroism.

Brett

Vallentin's death was nothing less than tragic, if anyone deserved to survive the wretched war, it was certainly him, a black day and an awful reminder of the sacrifices made and privations endured in the Transvaal at that point in time.