Hi Elaine
I thought it might be relevant to add an extract about Labuschagne's Nek:
From “A Story of the Cape Mounted Riflemen, by Major A. E. Lorch, D.S.O., M.C. “
The 18th was spent in patrolling which resulted in the discovery that the enemy had occupied a strong position at Labuschagne’s Nek. General Brabant moved into camp before Dordrecht and established several defensive positions around the town. We now experienced a distressing period of inactivity. The probable explanation was that our orders were to await further instructions from the 3rd Division, or it may have been that General Brabant wished to consolidate his division. Reports brought in by scouts were to the effect that the enemy was digging trenches almost within range of our guns, but no action was taken to disturb them.
Since the formation of the Colonial Division it had been General Brabant’s intention to mount the infantry and the Kaffrarian Rifles was the first unit to receive horses. Instructors were appointed and the mounted Infantrymen soon got on good terms with their mounts.
On March 3rd, the welcome orders arrived to attack Labuschagne’s Nek. We moved out at 10 p.m. It was a dark night and several of the men of the newly mounted units found it difficult to charge magazines while standing to their horses; for a regrettable number of shots were fired in the lines before moving off. Fortunately there were no casualties. The secret of our advance was well kept and although the darkness helped it also brought its difficulties, for one mounted unit with two guns took the wrong road. Fortunately this was noticed in good time and little delay was caused.
Dawn found the main Force in front of the Boer position, while a second Force, commanded by Major Maxwell, and detailed for operations on our right flank, rushed a hill which commanded the enemy laager. Our intelligence was aware that although the hill was occupied during the day there was no picquet at night and it must have been disturbing for the occupants of the laager when in the morning it was found to be occupied by the Colonial Division! Owing to intervening rising ground it was not possible to see the action now taking place on the right flank and when the 15 pdrs. received the order to shell schanzes on the right it was not known that Maxwell’s men had already driven the enemy back and occupied them. Here, owing to faulty intelligence we unfortunately brought fire to bear on our own men who immediately jumped out, with the exception of Private Span who was a casualty. At this time a gun layer looking through his telescopic sights saw, what he imagined to be, a man waving a white flag. Notwithstanding this, two or three more shots were fired before the order came to cease firing. In the meantime the white flag- disappeared. After the action was over this regrettable incident, brought to notice an act of gallantry by signaller R. E. J. Kay. It appeared that when the C.M.R. rushed from the schanz to avoid our fire Kay remained to help his wounded comrade, and in order to stop our gun fire tore off the white shirt he was wearing and waved it. When he found this did not stop the firing he jumped from the schanz and ran towards his own men but Kay’s troubles were not yet over, for his own people mistook him for a Boer and also fired at him. This made him turn again. The next morning he was found wandering in the direction of Dordrecht unable to give a coherent account of himself. For less gallantry than Kay had shown, during the first phase of this extraordinary experience, honours have been awarded, but the only recognition Kay received was the admiration of his comrades.
After this early morning activity our riflemen were slowly but surely developing the plan to envelop the enemy laager, and it was not until late in the afternoon that the guns were again called upon for support. A 15 pdr., drawn by a span of oxen, was hauled up the steep rising ground in front and quickly reduced the intensity of the enemy’s fire and we were able to move forward. Then, unfortunately, rain and dense mist enveloped the battle area and stopped all activity. With the dispersal of the mist in the evening the Boer riflemen were the first to reopen the fight and several casualties were reported before we established superiority. After this trying day the Colonial Division was in a commanding position for the concluding phase of the fight for Labuschagne’s Nek, and although the night was cold and wet, the advanced units entrenched and prepared for a vigorous offensive on the morrow.
When morning came the Boers were in full retreat crowding along the Jamestown road. Again we lost the fruits of victory for instead of pursuing we were content with long range shelling; but nevertheless 16 wagons were captured.
After the enemy had retired beyond range of our guns, the Division returned to Dordrecht whence, after a day’s rest, the advance was continued.
The C.M.R. casualties at Labuschagne’s Nek were 7 killed and 7 wounded:
Killed:
Sgt. J. M. Reynolds.
Cpl. P. Haines.
Pte. G. R. Hewitt.
Pte. G. Morris.
Pte. J. W. Chrystal.
Pte. E. G. M. Span.
Pte. F. Cass.
Wounded:
Sgt. W. F. Turnley.
Sgt. C. Perry.
Sgt. A. E. Lorch.
Cpl. T. H. A. England.
Pte. E. W. Hodge.
Pte. W. H. Peesley.
Pte. J. E. Hyde.
- Hence my finding your related thread on this (AngloBoerWar) site, and my response via your Wakelin thread.
