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DCM EdVII (Serjt. H.C. Cook. 9th Lancers);
QSA (7) Belm, Mod R, RoK, Paard, Jhburg, D Hill, Witt (3610 Corpl. H.C. Cook. 9th Lancers);
KSA (2) (3610 Serjt. H. Cook. 9th Lancers);
BWM & AVM with MiD (Condr. H.C. Cook. Remt. Dept.);
Victoria Medal GV, unnamed as issued;
Army MSM GV (Sub. Condr. H.C. Cook, I.M.L.);
Army LS&GC GV (Staff Serjt. H.C. Cook. India Misce List.), engraved naming.

Henry Charles Cook enlisted in the 9th Lancers in 1893. He was Mentioned in the LG of 3 Dec 1901 “For conspicuous gallantry in the capture of Lotter’s Commando near Petersburg, Cape Colony, on 5th September 1901”. The entry also stated that he was accordingly “awarded a DCM, War Office Telegram, No 9599, dated 9th October 1901”.

Cook’s WWI service was with the Indian Army Remount Department and between March 1918 and June 1919 he was Mentioned in Despatches 4 times for the Mesopotamia Theatre: twice as Staff Sergeant and twice as Sub Conductor.

During the Prince of Wales’s 1921-22 India Tour he was Conductor in Charge of the Stable Establishment and received the Royal Victorian Medal for services rendered.

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DCM EdVII (2196 C. Serjt.-Maj. W. Young. Dorset Regt. M.I.)
QSA (6) CC, TugH, OFS, RoL, Tvl, L Nek (2196 Pte. W. Young. Dorset Rgt.);
KSA (2) (2196 Serjt. W. Young. Dorset Regt.)

When William Young enlisted in February 1886 he was noted as standing 5 ft 3½ ins tall: “Under standard height but likely to grow”. His stature did not prevent him from being an excellent soldier: heading the list of four men of the Dorset Mounted Infantry specially mentioned in Captain Rowley’s report was 2196 Company Serjeant-Major W. Young, who ‘greatly aided me in the defence.’

When he was discharged as “medically unfit” in March 1903 he stood 2¼ inches taller…

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DCM EDVII (10694 Gnr. W.G. Ball. 42nd. Bty. R.F.A.);
QSA (5) Talana, DoL, OFS, Tvl, L Nek (10694 Gnr. W.G. Ball, 69:B, R.F.A.);
KSA (2) (10694 Bomb.W.G. Ball. R.F.A.);
1914 Star (10694 Sjt. W.G. Ball R.F.A.);
BWM & AVM (10694 Sjt. W.G. Ball. R.A.)

When the Ball DCM group was offered as part of the Matthew Taylor Collection in the Christie Sale of 2 November 1983 it was noted that all silver medal suspension claws have been re-affixed, edge bruise to KSA. The re-affixing, however, is not obvious and was not mentioned in Dixon’s Summer 1986 Catalogue from which the group was purchased.

William Gibson Ball served as Gunner with the 69th Battery, RFA in the Fort Itala action, and was mentioned (surname given as Bull) in Driver Bradley’s VC recommendation:

“During the action at Itala, Zululand, on the 26th Septem¬ber, 1901, Major Chapman called for volunteers to carry ammunition up the hill; to do this a space of about 150 yards swept by a heavy crossfire had to be crossed. Driver Lancashire and Gunner Bull at once came forward and started, but half-way across Driver Lancashire fell wounded. Driver Bradley and Gunner Rabb without a moment’s hesitation ran out and caught Driver Lancashire up, and Gunner Rabb carried him under cover, the ground being swept by bullets the whole time. Driver Bradley then, with the aid of Gunner Boddy, succeeded in getting the ammunition up the hill.”

Ball was mentioned for conspicuous gallantry in the Defence of Fort Itala and promoted Bombardier (LG 17 January 1902, p382) and was also awarded a DCM. Late in 1901 he transferred to the 42nd Battery, RFA.

On 7 November 1914 he started his WWI service with the 44th Battery, RFA and transferred at a later stage to the 121st Battery, RA.

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MBE, 2nd Type, Civil;
DCM VR (104 Sergt: R. Rowland. Bechuanaland Rifles);
QSA (3) OFS, DoM, Tvl (104 Serjt: R. Rowland. Bechuanaland R.);
KSA (2) (104 Sjt: R. Rowland. Bech’ld Rifles);
Coronation Medal 1902 (Bronze), unnamed as issued;
Jubilee Medal 1935, privately named Richard Rowland, Esq. D.C.M., J.P.

Richard Rowland’s first recognition for Gallantry was during the Defence of Mafeking when he commanded the Barolongs during the Boer attack of 12 May 1900. He was mentioned by Col. Baden-Powell in the Mafeking Garrison General Orders, as published in the Mafeking Mail of 22 May 1900:

“Corporal R. Rowland (30 men), Bechuanaland Rifles (wounded), in charge of Natives. Assisted the Barolongs materially in the defence of their Stadt, especially at the Western end in the evening, when, with a small party, he successfully contested the exit of the Boers till ordered to retire being wounded himself, and losing one killed and one wounded of his party.”

Following the Relief of Mafeking the Bechuanaland Rifles saw service in the Cape Colony and the Western Transvaal. In early 1901 a squadron was in Lord Methuen’s column and they were in action in a running fight of almost 24 hours duration south of Wolmaransstad against the local Commando. Rowland was slightly wounded on this occasion, and it is quite possible that the MiD (London Gazette, 16 April 1901, p2609) for Rowland and his C/O, Captain Cowan, was for this event.

After the Kleinfontein action, Rowland was mentioned by Col von Donop (LG 17 Jan 1902, p379): “For marked gallantry in collecting men and carrying messages under heavy fire. Has been twice previously mentioned.”

The award of the DCM to Sgt Rowland was published in the LG of 28 Jan. 1902, p582.

In 1902 Rowland was one of the 5 NCO’s and men of the Bechuanaland Rifles chosen to form part of the Coronation Contingent. In the official motivation for his inclusion it was stated that he had enrolled in the unit on 18 July 1899, that he had rendered good service since the outbreak of hostilities and that he had earned a DCM. After the war, Rowland settled in Kanye, Bechuanaland.

An entry in the “Historical Dictionary of Botswana” p296 covers his later life: “ROWLAND, RICHARD MONTSHIWA (1879-1945). Early trader and confidant of BaNgwaketse diKgosi. From Mafikeng, Rowland was of mixed (“coloured”) descent but could pass for white. He moved to Kanye in 1912 as a trader. Alongside his many trading ventures, he acquired a mining concession and ran the Moshaneng asbestos mine until his death. Kgosi Seepapitso II used Rowland to reorganize local commerce and to increase local cattle prices. Rowland was also crucial to Seepapitso’s road and dam-building schemes.

Always close to local diKgosi, he became an adviser and aide to Bathoen II, and also hired Johnny Masire (father of future president Quett Masire) as his store manager. During the 1930s depression, he raised much money for poor relief. Rowland was very popular among the BaNgwaketse, and upon his death they demanded that he be buried locally.”

By 1935 he was a Justice of the Peace and awarded a 1935 Jubilee Medal, with him noted on the roll as Trader of Kanye-Bangwaketsi Reserve, Bechuanaland Protectorate.

His final award was in the 1938 New Year’s Honours (Suppl LG 1 January 1938, p13) when he was appointed MBE (Civil) as follows:
Richard Rowland, Esq., J.P., of Kanye, Bechuanaland Protectorate. For public services.

Provenance: Lot 53, Spink Boer War Sale 20/21 October 1999.

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DCM EdVII (4496 Pte. A. Lewis. E. Kent Regt.);
QSA (3) CC, Drief, Tvl (4496 Pte. A. Lewis. E. Kent Regt.);
KSA (2) (4496 Pte. W. Lewis. E. Kent Regt.)
Mounted as worn, note initial on KSA

Pte Lewis was mentioned (no details given) in Kitchener’s final despatch of 23 June 1902 (LG 29 July 1902, p4843) and was granted a DCM in the LG of 31 October 1902, p6900. Fortunately, many years later, it came to light that his DCM was for the distribution of desperately needed ammunition at Bakenlaagte. The October 1933 issue of “The Dragon” (The Buffs’ Regimental Magazine) carried an article about the Action at Bakenlaagte in which Pte. Lewis’s bravery was mentioned: “It was Private Lewis who so distinguished himself that day when as ammunition carrier to his company, he raced up and down the line distributing ammunition over and over again and to this day people say: ‘Old Lewis was like a cat – had nine lives.’ Although recommended for the DCM very strongly - it was not awarded him.”.

Lewis was quick to respond:

9 Wickham Lane, Welling, Kent. October 8th, 1933

Dear Sir,

I am taking the pleasure of writing to you to let you know that as I have received The Dragon for this month and was reading down the story of the South African War about the Battle of Bakenlaagte when I saw that my name was mentioned in it as having assisted to carry ammunition along the firing line. I am very pleased to say that I am still alive, as it was said that I had nine lives, like a cat, and was recommended for the D.C.M. but did not get it. I am pleased to let you know that I did receive the D.C.M. and also had a watch presented to me by the officers of the Regiment. I also received a silver-mounted pipe from Queen Alexandra. So, I thought it would be best to let you know, as I thought you would like to. So, I must say that I felt quite proud of myself to see my name mentioned in the book.

Please give my best respects to all, Sir.

I remain, Yours truly, G. LEWIS. (No. 4496.)

The wrong initial on the KSA is per erroneous entry on KSA roll.

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DCM EdVII (10445 Serjt. E. Haynes. R.A.M.C.);
QSA (3) CC, OFS, Tvl (10445 Corl. E. Haynes. R.A.M.C.);
KSA (2) (10445 Serjt. E. Haynes. R.A.M.C.);
1914 Star with Clasp (10445 S. Mjr. E. Haynes. R.A.M.C.);
WM & AVM (QM & Lt. E Haynes)
LS&GC GV (10445 Q.M.Sjt. E. Haynes. R.A.M.C.)

Sweethome, ORC, 29 January 1902

The “Particulars” for Sgt Edward Haynes’ Mention in Despatches: London Gazette of 18 July 1902, p4601: “For gallantry under heavy fire at close range, on 29th January, 1902, at Sweethome, Orange River Colony”.

Fortunately, Major General Charles E Knox gave a more detailed account of the event when he forwarded Haynes’ name “for good service” (WO108/141). “For running out from a place of safety to restrain some of the enemy from firing on the late Pte Tucker, 2/Royal West Kent Regt. Who, not having heard or understood an order to hands-up, had fired at a party of Boers who had surrounded Major Lawless, R.A.M.C. Sergt. Haynes was heavily fired at at a range of considerably under 50 yards.”

Sweethome is a farm some 15 km north of the village of Hertzogville.