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Part 2 of Diary - Next 40 Pages of Diary.....

Spelling as per diary though I did have to guess some words..... Still not bad for a 17 year old.......

To be read in conjunction with: www.angloboerwar.com/forum/5-medals-and-...y-bag-dance?start=12

and

www.angloboerwar.com/forum/5-medals-and-...o-r-c-r-part-1#77440

Mike

Tuesday Feb. 27, 1900

Was up all night. Some of the men slept but I was on guard. Woke up all men at 2 a.m. to prepare to rush Cronji's trenches. Front rank went with fixed bayonets, rear rank with picks and shovels. Advanced within 50 feet of Boer trenches before being fired on by the enemy who were on to our scheme. Men were all surprised not knowing we were so near to trenches instead of we surprising the enemy. Major orders Regt. to retire and left half get confused in the darkness. Our casualties on our side about 50, 18 killed and 31 wounded. “D” Co. have 3 killed and 8 wounded. Carried couple men under cover from Boer fire. Capt. McDonnel first received surrender of Cronjie with 4500 men. R.C.R. Have the honour of forcing his surrender and also avenging Majuba of 1881 and which the Boers will no longer rejoice over. Majuba Day 19th anniv. R.C.R. march into lager & take possession of Cronjie's guns. Lord Roberts Congratulates Canadians for gallantry displayed. Had supper at 7. Slept in lager at night Cronjie and army sent at once to Modder River Station. To bed at 8.

Wednesday Feb. 28, 1900

Got up at 6 a.m. Had coffee at 7. Had to go on police duty in lager in morning. Dinner at 1. Wrote letter home. Got news that Ladysmith had been relieved but not confirmed. Had to go on outpost at night. Had little sleep at night.

Thursday March 1, 1900

Come off outpost at 6 a.m. Men get issue of rum in morning. Regt. moved about 2 miles from lager. Big thunderstorm most of day. Said about cooking flap-jacks most of afternoon which we got out of lager. Ready for bed at 8.30. Wet & Cold.

Friday March 2, 1900

Got up about 6 a.m. Had very little sleep as all our clothes & blankets wet. Had breakfast of coffee at 6.30. Inspection of arms in morning. Good dinner at 12.30, have new cooks. Went for swim in afternoon. Supper at 5.30. Ready for sleep at 8.30. Not feeling well W. Mills goes sick to field hospital.

Saturday March 3, 1900

Got up at 5 a.m. Not well today. Had big rain storm most of night. Had coffee at 6.30. Went for swim in afternoon, saw a couple of crocodiles in the river. British have engaged the enemy some 5 miles to north. Had coffee at 6. p.m. & had my ration of two biscuits stolen on me. Ready for bed at 8.30. Heard that Bloemfontein had fallen but only rumor as no troops near Capital.

Sunday March 4, 1900

Got up at 6.30. Had very good sleep. Had coffee at 7. Chaplains hold service, Church of England have no service on account of rainstorm in the morning. Men have shot of rum issued to them. Col. Otter reads a number of telegrams from England & Canada on our success also Lord Wolsley, Prince of Wales & Her Majesty. Bright & fine in the afternoon. Men everyone commanded fell marched back to Lager to decorate graves of dead men. Ready for bed at 8. Big rainstorm at 8.30 & camp flooded. Sit under transport wagon all night. Most men getting rested a bit.

Monday March 5, 1900

Had no sleep through night. Had coffee at 7. Men cleaning arms most of morning. Fine most of day. Had dinner at 12.30. Moved camp to higher ground. Made tents out of our blankets. Most of men sick of being drenched with rain. Mail for Reg. comes in from Kimberly. Got a few letters & papers from home. Could not read them as we have no candle. Ready for bed at 9.

Tuesday March 6, 1900

Got up at 5.30. Regt. gets orders to march at 8 a.m. Coffee at 6.30. Left camp at Lager and marched 6 miles and camped for day. Got issued with new emergency rations. Expect to go into action tomorrow. Good supper at 6. Get orders to move at 4 in morning. Had little sleep.

Wednesday March 7, 1900

Got up at 2 a.m. Had breakfast at 2.30. Started to advance on Boer position at 3.30 a.m. Artillery duel of British Naval & Boer guns. Regt. made feint attack on Boer position and they evacuate it and leave their guns which Shropshire capture. Boers kill one mule. Arrived at Stag's Kraal at about 6 p.m. after marching 21 miles and then had nothing to eat or not blankets or overcoats. Position taken from Boers was Blue Koppie. Regt in reserve today and saw Battle of Poplars Grove. Transports did not come up till morning. Had no sleep to cold.

Thursday March 8, 1900

Transports arrived at 3 a.m. Moved camp on higher ground. Had coffee at 7.30. Laid about camp most of day. Men get extra duty for eating emergency rations. Got our dinner about 5. p.m. Had to go 4 miles after drove of sheep. Ready for be about 9.

Friday March 9, 1900

Got up at 5 a.m. Men had to stand to arms for an hour. Had coffee at 7. Laid about camp for most of the morning. Had dinner at 12.30. Moved down river and had tea at 5. Crossed pontoon bridge at 9.30. Bivouacked on river side at night. To bed at 10.30.

Saturday March 10, 1900

Left Poplar Grove at 5.30. Breakfast at 4.30. Marched ten miles & had a drink of water and went on 10 more. Had battle at Driefontein and captured 2 guns from Boers and drove them off buff. Regt. lost 65 men in charge. Had to go on outpost at 6 p.m. Had no supper but at 11 p.m. We commandierd a sheep and six of us killed and ate it up. Had no sleep.

Sunday March 11, 1900

Had breakfast at 5.30. Marched in from Kopje at 6 a.m. Column did not start to march till 10.00 a.m. Marched about to Matyrsfonteon. Very warm. Got some potatoes from a Boer farmhouse & fried them in dubbin we got in camp. Men kill many rabbits. To sleep about 8.

Monday March 12, 1900

Got up at 3 a.m. Breakfast at 4 a.m. Started on march at 5.30 a.m. Did not march all way rode on transport wagon. Had very sore feet. Struck railroad track. Only had two meals all day. Men much fatigued for want of water. Bed at 9. p.m.

Tuesday March 13, 1900

Got up at 3 a.m. Had coffee at 4 a.m. Started on march at 5.30 a.m. Have very sore feet & got ride at transport wagon till dark. Lost track of Regt. Struck railway and got ride in Bloemfontein on switch train & ambulance trains. City surrendered at 11.a.m., Cran, Frye and Myself first Canadians in Bloemfontein. Slept on couch in farm had good sleep. Bloemfontein surrenders.

Wednesday March 14, 1900

Got up at 7.am. Commandeered box of biscuits and syrup for breakfast. Went about town commandeering all good eatables. Proclamation read in market square at 10,00 a.m. Regt. not yet in Bloemfontein. Had some bread and butter first in a month. Had supper at station restaurant. A. Boyle of “B” Boys gets 56 days I.H.L. for looting or stealing a chicken. Slept in coach all night.

Thursday March 15, 1900

Got up at 7. a.m. Walked about town. Regt. marched into withing two miles of town. Had to report to Col. Otter as we were reported missing. Did not get anything to eat till 5.30 p.m. Corp. Hulme went to town and bought us some bread. Richard Cunningham goes to hospital sick. Got to bed around 9 pm.

Friday March 16, 1900

Got up at 6. am. Breakfast at 6.30. Mess orderly for day. Had to walk about 3 miles for water. Nothing to do laid about camp most of day. Only five men of each Co. allowed each day. To bed at 9. Good Supper.

Saturday March 17, 1900

Got up at 6. am. Breakfast at 9. Had nit inspection at 7.30. Fine day, warm. 17th. of Ireland Day. Laid about camp most of day. Had to go on fatigue to unloading convoy. Got mail from home. To bed at 9.30.

Sunday March 18, 1900

Got up at 6. a.m. Church service at 6.30 a.m. Wrote letter home. Laid about tent most of the day. Nothing to do all day. Fine night moonlit, to bed at 8.30.

Monday March 19, 1900

Got up at 5.a.m. Received draft of L5 from Col. Ponton, ( Co. A.L.I. from Bellville ). Rain most of night. Had drill at 7. Nothing to do in morning. Rain all afternoon & night. Have nothing but blankets & no tents and all men wet & cold & camp flooded. C. Gibson & H.H. Jones went into town and get things to eat. Bought writing materials. Bed at 8.30

Tuesday March 20, 1900

Got up at 6. a.m. Batt. on wood fatigues for day, five miles out from camp. Was mess orderly for the day. Men not back for supper. Had coffee at six. Fine night moonlight.

Wednesday March 21, 1900

Got up at 5 a.m. Batt. paraded for inspection by Lord Roberts and Smith-Dorien at 7 a.m. Regt. got back at 8.30 a.m. Have very sore throat. Went to hospital for medicine. Regt. paraded at 8.a.m. for drill. Wrote letter home. G.G. Hulme gets pass into town. Supper at 5.30. Ready for bed at 8.30. Fine night.

Thursday March 22, 1900

Got up at 4. am. “D: Co. on duty and had to march to Kopje 4 miles away and stop for day. Have very sore throat still. Half of Regt. up before C.O. for eating emergency rations. Most of men get 3 to 5 days C.B., E. Frye, H. Jones & myself got off as we ate ours while lost from Regt. Regt. gets drilled and timed each day. Ready for ( Unable to read due to page fold. ) Fine night moonlite.

Friday March 23, 1900

Got in off outpost at 6.30. Breakfast at 7. Had good wash today. Nothing to do in morning. Rain most of the afternoon. Supper at 6.30 to bed at 8.30. Very Rainy.

Saturday March 24, 1900

Get up at 6.30. Rain most of morning. Rainy season at its climax. Camp is flooded out most of me soaking. Rain all day. Supper at 2. p.m. H. H. Jones taken sick and went to field hospital. Very cold. Gale blowing and not much sleep.

Sunday March 25, 1900

Got up at 5.30. Very cold raw day. Church parade at 6.30. Mess orderly for the day. Laid about camp most of day. Dinner at 12.30. Nothing to do in afternoon. Ready for bed at 8.30 fine night.

Monday March 26, 1900

Get up at 5.30. Men get full issue of bread today. S. Large of “B” Boys goes to field hospital with fever. D. Cummington moved from field to St. Andrew's in the city. Hard drill at 11.00 am. Had to walk about 3 miles to get water. G Hulme goes to town and fetches us a number of eatables. Supper at 5.30. Got a bundle of papers from home. Bed at 8.

Tuesday March 27, 1900

Got up at 6. Had drill at 8. a.m. Finished drill at 9.30. Cleaned rifles and arms in morning. Regt. drill again at 11.00 a.m. Nothing to do in afternoon. G. Tilley goes to field hospital. About 50 men of R.C.R. in hospital & number increasing every day. C. Gibson sick in tent. J. McNair laid up off duty with sore throat. “D” Co. has 45 men on parade each day out of 120 men who have been either sick, or been killed or wounded. Supper at 4.30. To bed at 8.30. Fine night.

Wednesday March 28, 1900

Got up at 6.am. Breakfast at 7. Drill at 8. a,m, Cleaning arms at morning. Drill at 11. am. Nothing to do in afternoon. ( Tear in page ) in a month. Fine night warm.

Thursday March 29, 1900

Got up at 6. a.m. Had drill at 8. a.m. Not feeling well today. Drill again at 11. a.m. Col. gave men a lecture on writing home falsehoods about him. Bathing parade in afternoon. Cooks had to boil all water for men as a guard against fever. Went in town on pass. To bed at 9.

Friday March 30, 1900

Got up at 6. a.m. Mess orderly for day. No drill for Regt. today as we furnish all guards. Had to carry meals to men over a mile. Had lunch with young Boer who had fought against us at Paardeburg and Bloemfonrein who escaped through our lines at Paardeburg. In town most of afternoon. Got orders to move in morning. Got to bed at 8.30.

Saturday March 31, 1900

Got up at 3. a.m. Breakfast at 4. Started march at 6.30. Marched all day. R.C.R. form real guard. British under Gen. _______ with large convoy are attacked by Boers and convoy captured and British badly cut up. “B” and “C” Co.'s only R.C.R. (not) in action today. March until 11.30 at night. British have 9 guns and recapture 7. Stopped on bank of river for night. Had no coats or blankets and very little sleep as night is bitterly cold. G. Hulme sick on march today.

Sunday April 1, 1900

Get up at 3. a.m. Got no sleep at night. Get ready to cross river at 7.a.m. but orders changed and we retired. British all retired to Bushman's Kop. 5 miles in afternoon. Boers shift their position to a much stronger one and we are trying to draw them out by retiring. Had tea at 6.30. To bed at 8.30.

Monday April 2, 1900

Got up at 4. a.m. Had to stand to arms till 5.30. Had coffee at 7. Had to go on fatigue burying dead Boers, from previous days. Regt. left Bushman's Kop at 3 p.m. Marched about 5 miles and bivouacked at Springfield. Had tea about 7. To bed at 8.30. cloudy.

Tuesday April 3, 1900

Got up 5.00 a.m. Breakfast at 5.30. Started march for Bloemfontein at 7. a.m. Got back to old camp at about 12.00. Dinner at 2.30. Mess orderly for the day. Stopped off march on edge of town and bought bread and other things for “B” boys. Ready for bed at 8.30. Very sore feet.

Wednesday April 4, 1900

Got up at 5.30 a.m. Had to fill pot for breakfast. Had a good swim in morning. Fine in morning. Regt. gets order to move at 2. p.m. Did not go very far as I was sick and had very sore feet. Went in jail on way back & looked about many Boer prisoners in jail. Got back to camp about 7. p.m. Many men fall out on march unfit to walk a mile. Went to bed at 8. Fine night. H. Jones came out of hospital.

Thursday April 5, 1900

Got up at 5. a.m. Not well today. Coffee at 7. Paraded to Highlanders hospital at 8.30 but could not see Dr. until 1 p.m. Laid about most of morning. Big rainstorm all afternoon and night. All men soaking wet. Pitched tent to sleep in all our blankets wet. Supper at 7. Ready for bed about 9. Have about 20 candles & we light them all to try and warm the tent as it is very cold.

Friday April 6, 1900

Got up at 5. a.m. Had movement at 6. Had breakfast at 7. Pitched tent for Regt. at old camp. Regt. returned at 12.30. Did not run across any Boer troops. Dinner at 1. Went into town to buy things for “B” Boys. Had to go on guard fatigue 4 miles from camp and drag wood in. Hat tea at 6. To bed at 9. Heavy thunder storm at night.

Saturday April 7, 1900

Got up at 5.30. Had breakfast at 6. Regt. having bathing parade at 8. Had a good swim. Had medical inspection by P.M.O. At 9.30. Nothing else to do in morning. Laid about writing most of afternoon. Supper at 5. Ready for bed about 9. Fine moonlight night. Most of “B” men feeling well.

Sunday April 8, 1900

Got up at 6. a.m. Mess orderly for the day. Had breakfast at 7. Did not have walk after water as it is drawn in cart. Church parade at 8.30. Drawing rations in morning. Men get bread issued to us. Think this is Palm Sunday as we have no calendar. Laid in tent reading till lights out. To bed at 9.

Monday April 9, 1900

Got up at 6. a.m. Had to parade to start with very sore back. Regt. had to go on fatigues in town. Wrote letter to Mr. Morrison. Nothing to do in afternoon. Supper at 5. p.m. Laid down till lights out. To bed at 9.

Tuesday April 10, 1900

Got up at 6. a.m. Not feeling well today. Both ( ***** ) of R.C.R. sick in hospital. No hospital parade in morning. Laid about tent most of day. Supper at 12.30. Nothing to do in afternoon. Ready for bed at 9. a.m. Slept well.

Wednesday April 11, 1900

Got up at 6. a.m. Not feeling well today. Many men sick in camp. 100 men of R.C.R. sick in city with fever and ect. Men get extra blanket issued to them. Nothing to do in afternoon. S. Large comes out of hospital looking bad. Had supper at 4.30. Had to go on outpost at 9. Drenching rain most of night. Did not get any sleep.

Thursday April 12, 1900

Come off outpost at 6. Had breakfast at 7. Laid about tent most of morning. Had new trousers issued to us. Nothing to do in afternoon. 5 Men in our tent sick with different complaints. To bed at 9.

Friday April 13, 1900

Got up at 5 a.m. Mess orderly for the day. Not feeling well today. Many men sick. Good Friday and fine day. Nothing to do in afternoon. “D” Co. on inlying picquet. Not feeling well today. Bed at 8.30.

Saturday April 14, 1900

Got up at 5 a.m. Had to go on fatigue in morning. Bought doz. eggs for 2 P. 7 S. 6 P. Had an issue of cheese. Had to go on wood fatigue to kopje. Sergt. Bert Beatty dies in field.

Sunday April 15, 1900

Got up at 6. Church at 8.45. “B” Boys got box from home stuff chiefly for G. Hulme, W. Mills, G. Phillips and Dick Cunningham. Nothing to do in morning. Had ½ doz. eggs for Easter dinner. “B” Boys all feeling bad over Sergt. Beatties death. Ready for bed at 9. Heavy thunder storm all night.

Monday April 16, 1900

Got up at 6. a.m. Cleaning arms most of morning. Wrote letters home. Nothing to do in afternoon. Rainy most of day. Had to go on guard at 5. Was on flying sentry co. did not get much sleep.

Tuesday April 17, 1900

Come off sentry at 7. Have had bad attack of sun. Mess orderly for the day. Men get issued with new shirts and other clothing and small articles. Wrote letters home. To bed at 9.

Wednesday April 18, 1900

Get up at 6. a.m. Nothing to do in morning. Dinner at 12.30. “D” Co. inlying piquet Have to sleep with arms and all clothing. Ready for bed at about 9.

Thursday April 19, 1900

Get up at 6. a.m. People had to fall in at reveille. Nothing to do in morning. Dinner at 12.30. Had to go on outpost at 5. Supper at 4.30. Duty not hard on outpost tonight. Had old 9 hrs duty.

Friday April 20, 1900

Get up at 5. Marched in off outpost at 7. Nothing to do in morning. Dinner at 12.30. Waiting most of afternoon. Got orders to move in morning. Reday for bed at 9. Fine night

Saturday April 21, 1900

Got up at 5. a.m. Ordered to move at 7. Regt. ready to march off but order cancelled. Men dismissed at noon. Paraded to hospital & put on light duty. Regt. ordered to move at 1 p.m. Mail taken with Regt. Regt. camped at Springfield for night. Ready for bed at 8.

Sunday April 22, 1900

Got up at 5.a.m. Went to Dr. to get medicine, put on light duty. Dinner at ( Remainder unable to read due to damage ).

Monday April 23, 1900

Got up at 6. a.m. Regt. marches to Kloofs Kraal. Nothing to do in afternoon. Marches not bad the last couple of days. Ready for bed at 8.

Tuesday April 24, 1900

Got up at 6.30. Regt. camped about 3 miles off Kloofs Kraal. Regt. advances on Waterworks. Boers retreat over river. We occupy Mimmora Kop commanding waterworks. Camp on kopje for night. Only five miles march today.

Wednesday April 25, 1900

Got up at 6.30 a.m. Regt. formed advance guard today. Advance on Thabu Nachu range of hills. Artillery & M.I. Often fire on Boers at 3 p.m. Boers have a big gun. M.I. retire out of line of fire. Infantry advance cover of Artillery and taken range of hills. Casualties in our Regt. 1 Killed 5 Wounded. Col. Otter of our Regt. wounded in chin. Name of place Israels Port. Bivouacked for night at foot of hills. Bed at 8.

Thanks for making the effort to type it all out.
Much appreciated.

RobM
Cape Town

Thanks Rob..... It gives me something to do instead of sitting and watching UK crime drama's all day on the idiot box LOL..... With my wrist I cannot do much more..... Just a little slow going..... Will be great when I finish and add to file about his group.....

Mike

Thanks again, Mike.

I have added this to the RCRI page: www.angloboerwar.com/unit-information/ca...-of-infantry?start=1

Hi
An absolutely incredible record of day by day life from his perspective
Great that it has survived and thanks for sharing it
Clive