TOPIC:

1900 - Coke in action at Graskop.

From the diary of Lt Burne, RN:

About 2 p.m. a Flying Column from Volksrust passed through here to follow up the Boers at Amersfoort. This war certainly seems likely to last a long time.

1900 - George Shaw, of the St Helens Borough Police Force, sent a letter on this day.

...."Chief Constable Wood has received the following interesting letter from Sergeant George Shaw, of the 7th Dragoons in the 4th Cavalry Brigade. Shaw was in the local police force, as is well known, and was called up with the Reserves. ....Dear Sir, - As I promised you, I am giving you my little experiences of active service in South Africa. Well, since we landed out here, I have been in about 14 engagements, so I think I have had a fair share of the fighting, and pulled through without a scratch, and I am in the best of health and spirits so far. I thought when we took Pretoria that the war would be over, but we were mistaken. We are doing nothing here, and I believe Botha's force is only 14 miles from us. You will have heard of De Wet capturing our mails, which has left us without news for two months, but I am afraid if he gets anywhere near the 7th Dragoons he will change his name to "De Dry." Anyhow, we have had very rough times, French has kept us going very hard on the tail of the Boers, giving them no rest and getting very little ourselves. It is a splendid country, with a lovely climate, but the nights are very cold, and sleeping in the open air we feel it very much. Now I will try and give you a brief account of the doing of the 7th Dragoons under General French and General Dickinson since the Prieska expedition of which I wrote to you. We thought after our arrival at De Aar on March 30th that we were going to Mafeking, but we were detached for Bloemfontein, entraining on April 4th and arriving on the 6th; marched to Donkerbioik, about 8 miles from Bloemfontein, and patrolled the country up to the 20th inst. We had one man killed there on the 8th inst., and strange to say he was hit in the pocket, the bullet carrying a shilling with it through his body. On April 21st reveille sounded at 3 a.m. and we marched to Springfield, and met French's brigade; a tremendous force of concentrated artillery, cavalry and infantry and naval guns; a splendid sight; everyone armed to the teeth.
....April 22nd. French ordered 4th cavalry brigade to clear the front (my baptism of fire). We met the enemy at 9.30, and they started sniping; one of our guns was put into action, but the Boers would not speak, so we advanced further into the hills; then they opened fire on us with a vengeance, with pom-poms, &c., the shells flying amongst us. I felt a bit nervous when the first shell fell and killed some of the 8th Hussars, but we very soon got out of range, and halted in front of the enemy's position. We could not understand this move, watching the enemy get on our flank, but at 4 p.m. we solved the move, for another brigade attacked them from the west of the kopjes, ours on the east joining in the attack, the artillery going at them for all they were worth, driving them from their positions, and our infantry afterwards occupying the place. It was a splendid bit of generalship, in fact French has fairly puzzled the Boers, and I can assure you they dread the name of French and his cavalry. Well, this continued day after day, and on the 24th we had a big battle, all the cavalry brigade attacking in front and covering the infantry and artillery. This was a game that capped the enemy. We charged across the plains, dismounted, and climbed the kopje, the artillery covering our advance until we got into position, when we commenced volley firing, clearing the ridges for the infantry advance.
....April 25th. Still chasing the enemy, which we flanked, and after allowing the infantry to get into position we pushed up towards Basutoland, halting within 10 miles of Wepener, when we received orders to return to the waterworks, 45 miles from Bloemfontein. We arrived on the 27th to find that some brigade had suffered heavily and lost some guns; it afterwards turned out to be Broadwood's column. French, without giving us any rest, commenced operations.
....April 28th brought us to Thaba Nchu to oppose De Wet's forces, and rather a hot reception he gave us with his big guns, pom-poms, &c., but it did not stop our advance. On we went driving them from ridge to ridge. Until dusk the fight lasted, when we found the Boers getting around us, but we managed to get out all right, and get to camp about 11 p.m., tired and fairly done up. Our casualties this day were very few.
....April 29th. Thought we were going to have a rest, but the Boers would not let us; they shelled our camp, while the horses were out grazing, causing a great mix up. Anyhow, we ran for our horses, got them out of the fire, and then returned for our saddles, the shells flying thicker every minute. I don't think I ever saddled up so quickly in my life; it was miraculous how we escaped being hit. I think, being the lucky 7, accounts for our escapes. Anyhow, we had to vacate the place, and take other positions, and remained out all night on outpost duty. Next morning brought Arundel's brigade to our assistance, and later in the day several other brigades came and we remained fighting about there until May 4th. After 9 days' hard fighting we were ordered back to Donkerhiock for fresh horses, saddlery, &c., arriving on May 6th.
....May 8th. Ordered to move forward and march to Pretoria, everyone pleased to think that all the big towns would soon be in our hands. Well, from the 8th May until June 6th, I have been in something like 8 engagements, Brandfort, Kroonstad, Klip River, Zand River, and my squadron was the first to cross the Vaal River, on the Queen's birthday, at 12 o'clock, noon, unopposed, but why they did not hold the place I can't imagine. The position is almost impregnable, but they are not the enemy you could admire. They will not stand and fight. As soon as we get within striking distance they fly, and their mobility is wonderful, it has been a lesson to this and other countries, fighting invisible foes. We had one chance before Kroonstad, but with our horses being pumped and some order being given to the contrary we were late in charging, and we only got on the tail end of them. You can imagine our fellows - it being the first charge of the regiment - thinking that we were going to close quarters, men and horses sweeping the plain like fiends, and, oh, what a disappointment. Our horses were done up just when we needed them most, anyhow, we got out of it with only 1 killed.
....May 24th to May 27th. We followed enemy, and on the 28th got amongst them again. They opened fire on us on all sides, and it was a very warm corner, the fight lasting until dusk, when we had to remain all night on outpost duty.
....29th, Johannesburg. You will have read all about this. The papers can give a better account of it than myself, it took me all my time to take care of myself. The shell fire was terrible, and I want no more of that kind, but we luckily escaped with only 1 wounded.
....30th. Roberts' force with big guns, Hotton with mounted infantry, and Hamilton's brigade got going. We camped that night at Dorn's Kop where Dr Jim surrendered. Next morning presented an awful spectacle, the Boers not having had time to bury their dead. They threw them into pits, and they presented a fearful sight. We marched on towards Pretoria fighting our way. They made another stand, but we knocked them from their positions. Roberts, entering Pretoria on June 6th, and hoisting the flag at 7 minutes past 4 p.m. We fought again on the 11th and 12th, and from this extract you will be able to judge the fight, and also the quality of this glorious old regiment to which I have the honour to belong. P.C. Shaw then gives an extract from the brigade orders in which General French, of the Cavalry Brigade, conveys his very high appreciation and admiration on the way in which they occupied and held a ridge for over 48 hours, under a very heavy fire. He had no doubt all did well, but he wished to specially notice the 7th Dragoons under Colonel Lowe.
....The commanding officer does not consider it necessary to add any remarks to the above to express his own appreciation of the behaviour of the regiment, but feels sure that all ranks will be as gratified by them as he is himself.
....The kopje mentioned was taken and held by my squadron, which came through it with only two wounded. I think I have given you all the news, hoping that the war will soon be over, and me back to St Helens to assist the cricket team, which I hope are doing well. Kindly know the secretary that I have greatly improved. The Boers can't take my wicket. Convey my best wishes to Inspectors, Sergeants, and P.C.'s of St Helens Borough. Hoping to see you all very soon.
St Helens Reporter, Tuesday 31st July 1900