TOPIC:

Picture courtesy of DNW

IGS 1895 (1) Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (80987 Gunr. J. Farrow. K. By. R.H.A.);
QSA (6) Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen, South Africa 1901, unofficial rivets affixing date clasp (80987 Bmr: J. Farrow. Q.B. R.H.A.)

James Farrow was born in Stratford, Essex, in 1872 and attested for the Royal Horse Artillery at Woolwich on 15 October 1890, having previously served in the 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion, Essex Regiment. He served with K Battery in India from 23 September 1892 to 17 December 1898, and took part during the operations on the North West Frontier of India 1897-98. Transferring to the Army Reserve on 20 December 1898, he was recalled to Army Service on 9 October 1899. Promoted Bombardier on 12 June 1900, he reverted again to the Reserve on 3 April 1902.

DNW say 'served with Q Battery in South Africa during the Boer War from 24 October 1899 to 6 January 1902'

WO100/144p126 (3rd RHA Ammunition Column roll) suggests he transferred to Q Battery on the day of the Sannah's Post incident.



Was this coincidence or was he posted to Q Battery in light of the casualties they received?

I researched his papers, they survived on Fold3 under Royal Hospital pensions.
File indicated posted April 7, 1900, in that case a replacement.
However, he may well have been at Sannah's Post resupplying from DAC on they day and asked to stay (after the engagement).
Either way, it is a bit cheeky on the Part of DNW to put it out there with an expectation without researching properly.

Regards

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (2) Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg (64409 Sgt. W. F. Porter, Q.B. R.H.A.);
Army LS&GC EdVII (64409 C.S. Mjr: Inst: Gnry: W. F. Porter. R.A.);
Army MSM GVI 1st issue (64409 Q.M. Sjt. W. F. Porter. R.A.)

William Frederick Porter was born in Ipswich, Suffolk, in 1868 and attested for the Royal Horse Artillery on 1 November 1887. He served with them in India from 19 February 1889 to 4 November 1895, and was promoted Bombardier on 24 February 1897, and Corporal on 31 May 1898. He served with ‘Q’ Battery in South Africa during the Boer War from 19 December 1899 until being invalided home on 21 April 1900.

Promoted Sergeant on 10 February 1900. He was appointed Company Sergeant Major Instructor in Gunnery on 18 December 1900, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal per Army Order 90 of 1906. His final promotion was to Quartermaster Sergeant on 1 August 1907, and he was discharged on 31 October 1908, after 21 years’ service. He was awarded his Meritorious Service Medal per Army Order 192 of October 1944.

The two Q Battery QSAs sold at DNW yesterday.

Gunner J Farrow sold for a hammer price of £650. Totals (inc VAT for UK only): £837. R16,700. Au$1,530. Can$1,380. US$1,080

QMS W F Porter sold for a hammer price of £550. Totals (inc VAT for UK only): £708. R14,100. Au$1,300. Can$1,170. US$910

This morning I was reading Pakenham's account of Sannah's Post.

He bases part of his narrative on Major Phipps-Hornby manuscript which he says in the notes had been loaned to him.

I have looked for the manuscript in the National Archives without success. Does anyone have access to a copy please?

In WO105/7 in Broadwood's 25 page report, sent to the C-in-C on 30 April 1900.

He does list the two batteries but without numbers on p1.



There are no other relevant mentions in Broadwood's report.

In a full battery, there are 171 men and 131 horses, commanded by a Major, six 16 pounders, three transport wagons and a blacksmith. The two batteries sent out from Bloemfontein by Roberts would not be at full strength due to losses, illnesses etc.

The whole of U Battery was captured. From the published casualty rolls, there are 56 names.

An analysis of the U Battery prisoners by ranks on 31 March 1900 shows:



Those wounded, killed and prison from Q Battery on 31 March 1900:



Pakenham mentions two more salient points:

'Each of the 6 guns .. a total of 50 officers and men' (p393 in my edition) and that 'of the original 50 officers and men, only one officer (Phipps-Hornby), one sergeant, one corporal and eight men were still in action' (p394).

The visit by Earl Roberts to Woolwich (reported in The Times on14 January 1902, was to present medals to some Boer War veterans and the plate to Q Battery.

There were 80-90 men of Q Battery, excluding Colonel Phipps-Hornby, dressed in khaki. Some of Q Battery who had been discharged may have been represented in the 100-150 men in civilian dress who are unnamed in the newspaper report.

88 men of Q Battery are named. Some of these will not have been at Sannah's Post as they will have joined/been posted to Q Battery after March 1900. An example is Gunner Boyce

This has not advanced the knowledge on who was there that fateful day except to suggest the number of Q Battery men numbered approximately 53. Perhaps the report by Phipps-Hornby may help?

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (4) Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen, South Africa 1901, unofficial rivets between third and fourth clasps (53391 Gnr: H. Scutts. Q,B, R.H.A.)

Harry Scutts was born in Gloucestershire in 1867 and attested for the Royal Field Artillery at London on 8 February 1886. He transferred to the Reserve on 8 February 1893, but was recalled foe service on 20 December 1899, and served with ‘Q’ Battery in South Africa during the Boer War from 26 April 1900 to 6 January 1902. He was finally discharged on 12 April 1902.

Sold with the recipient’s original Parchment Certificate of Character; Parchment Certificate of Discharge; and Parchment Certificate of Character on Discharge; and copied record of service and medal roll extracts.