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Constantine Kerr Marillier

Seaman Gunner, Natal Naval Volunteers
Sergeant Major, South African Constabulary – Anglo Boer War

- Queens South Africa Medal with clasp Defence of Ladysmith to C.K. Marillier, Gnr. Natal Naval Vols.

Constantine Marillier was born in Durban in the Colony of Natal on 8 December 1870, the son of Henry Philip Augustus Marillier, an official with the Colonial Post Office, and his wife Mary, born Kerr. Having married in Durban in 1857, the Marillier’s set about the making of a family with some earnest and Constantine was not short of playmates being joined in the house in Musgrave Road by Mary Elizabeth, Florence, Frederic John, Gertrude and Beatrice.

Durban being a sea port, the natural attraction for many of the young men living there, was to join a Naval establishment as part of the Militia. This provided them with something to do to while away the hours with as well as a setting where they could socialise with people of their own age and inclinations.

Marillier set his sights on the Natal Naval Volunteers, this body were able to trace their origins back to 1885 when a volunteer corps for the defence of the port was raised. Initially the task awaiting the volunteers was anything but onerous – two drill were arranged and all members were expected to attend at least once a week. Field guns were assigned to the Corps and a Back Beach Battery was brought into being along with a Bluff Battery, overlooking the entrance to the harbour. Guns used were 6 and 12 pounder Q.F.’s although it was thought that the 6 pounders would soon become obsolete. In 1899 a 3 pounder Hotchkiss was donated to them by the Volunteers – this gun was to be put to good use later that year.



The dawn of 11 October 1899 brought with it a declaration of war between the two Boer Republics of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State and Great Britain. Boer Commandos had already massed on the Natal border prior to this and, within a couple of weeks, the actions at Talana near Dundee and Elandslaagte had been fought. General Yule had been required to fall back on Ladysmith, the hub of the Imperial war effort in northern Natal. Sir George White with his remaining troops and Colonial volunteers, had with effect from 1 November 1899, been besieged by a strong force of Boers ringing the hills around Ladysmith.

Seaman Constantine Marillier, assigned no. 232, had been mobilized, along with his fellow Natal Naval Volunteer comrades, on 29 September in anticipation of war. On mobilization the entire strength of the N.N.V. was 123 officers and men.

A day later the N.N.V. were split up - Lieutenant Anderton, with 30 P.O.s and men, two guns, 200 rounds ammunition each, 3,300 rounds of -303 in reserve, and 90 rounds per man, left for Colenso whilst Commander Tatum, Surgeon-Captain Fernandez, Lieutenants Barrett and Hoare, Master-Gunner Hall, and 62 men left for Ladysmith in anticipation of the Boer invasion.

Equipped with one 9-pounder and two 3-pounder Hotchkiss guns Commander Tatum and his men arrived at their destination at 6 p.m. on 2 October and, having been issued with Khaki kit, made themselves comfortable in ‘Tintown’ (the temporary base housing the troops in Ladysmith) on the 11th. This base was also known as Ladysmith Dust Heap on account of its insalubrious conditions. Here they were joined by a Hotchkiss Detachment under Lieutenant Walker.

On 13 October Lieutenant Barrett, Master-Gunner Hall, and 34 men, armed with a 9-pounder and Hotchkiss gun detailed for “Cove Redoubt”, taking up stations there where they were soon joined, on 30 October, by 250 men from H.M.S. Powerful, under Captain the Honourable H. Lambton, with two 4'7in. and four 12-pounders. The Natal Naval Volunteers had now, perforce, joined hands with the Naval Brigade and were moved to Gordon’s Post, with the exception of the party already detailed to “Cove Redoubt”

The very same day they were shelled by a Boer Long Tom from Pepworth Hill, in what for the town of Ladysmith was to become an almost daily occurrence – the Boers only ceasing their bombardments on the Sabbath – a day they respected and observed with religious zeal.
On 13 November, the siege having set in, they engaged a 6-inch Boer gun on Middle Hill, this to cover the return of a Mounted Infantry section which had gone out on reconnaissance. Two weeks later, on 30 November, the men worked all night to shift the Hotchkiss gun in order to silence snipers and pom-poms which were very active from the Boer lines.

On 6 January 1900 the Boers made a determined effort to take Ladysmith by storm, and Waggon Hill was the scene of some very intense fighting, being the key to the defensive positions on that side of the town. A party of Naval Volunteers had been drafted there the day before, with their Hotchkiss and a 4.7 and 12-pounder from the Naval Brigade were already in position, and these, together with a section of Royal Engineers and the Gordon Highlanders, bore the full weight of the assault.

The small garrison at first fell back owing to the suddenness and weight of the attack, but soon rallied, checking the advance, and drove the storming party back beyond the crest of hills from whence they had come. Caesar’s Camp was also singled out for a very heavy assault, but reinforcements were hurried up, enabling the defenders to resist the onslaught.

The Boers “Long Tom” had all this time been in action throwing her heavy shells into the British lines and the town itself, but the 4.7 gun at “Cove Redoubt” replied so effectively that the “Long Tom” became erratic in her shooting and did comparatively little damage.

The first attempt by the Boers to take the stronghold by storm had failed, but the garrison had a stronger enemy to deal with within its own confines, and their losses, due to privation and sickness, were greater than the losses inflicted by the enemy. Ladysmith had become a very unsanitary place in which to live. Food was scarce and expensive and, as it ran out, was replaced by chervil – horse meat – and weevil-filled biscuits which made everyone ill and malnourished. No fewer than one-third of the N.N.V. men were incapacitated and sent to hospital at the Intombi Camp.

A first-hand account, written by a N.N.V. man follows below – this in order to give another view of events: -

‘On reaching Ladysmith dust heap, the site of our first camp, we were joined by Walker’s Hotchkiss detachment. At the end of October, however, Lieut. Walker went to Helpmekaar, Commander Tatum to Gordon Post, and Lieut. Barrett to Cove Redoubt. On the mournful Monday of Lombard’s Kop we discovered the sensation of standing at the muzzle of Boer guns. Capt. Lambton occupied Gordon Post, and a Powerful 4.7 was placed on Cove Redoubt. Enteric and dysentery made sad havoc among us, and our ever-genial doctor, Fernandez, made up for us a concoction of carbolic, &c.

We had to take a wine-glassful after breakfast. Our Christmas fare was not a Christmas feast. Sports were held amid bombardment. Firing began at 2.30 a.m. on January 6th, and by daybreak we were stormed at with shot and shell from all points—Caesar’s and Wagon Hills receiving the heaviest charges. Firing continued until 4 p.m. We were fortunate not to lose a man. Water, like everything, was khaki. Daily rations were a small biscuit, 1/2 lb. horseflesh, 1-16oz. tea, and teaspoonful of sugar. On alternate days we had a small mealie loaf.

Sensational rumour said the Durban Town Hall had been blown up by Boers, our Navy had mobilised on account of French activity, and the Russians had placed an army on the Indian frontier. But the men bore up gallantly. Most cheerful of all men was Colonel Frank Rhodes. Welcome hospitality was extended by the late Captain Welby and 18th Hussars.

Narrow escapes from shells were of daily occurrence. Seven men died of enteric and dysentery, and six were buried at Ntombi cemetery.
During February we were so often disappointed, we could hardly believe we saw British guns on Monte Cristo, and our shells bursting on hills quite close to Caesar’s Camp. Welcome sight it was indeed when Lord Dundonald and Major McKenzie crossed the flats. On 2nd March, when we saw Sir Redvers Buller at the head of his gallant troops, we felt our sufferings had not been in vain. We lined the roads and cheered’.

On 6 March, the siege over with the Relief force having arrived, Commander Tatum and his men left for Highlands on the way down to Pietermaritzburg, where fully a third of the men were granted 14 days’ leave. On 16 April a disappointment was in store for the men of the N.N.V. – at a parade a special order was read to them that, owing to the formation of a Garrison Artillery Corps, most of them were to be dismissed. Colonel Dartnell’s order read; “The N.N.V have earned for themselves a name for steadfastness and cheerful submission to the hardships of the campaign, of which they may well be proud.”

Marillier was one of those whose services were, temporarily retained – on 8 October 1900 he was one of a handful of men manning the Durban Batteries. Others on duty were First-class Petty Officer Francis, Gunners Watkin, Plowright, Pigg, Rowse and Harford.

Bored by this relative inactivity and the war showing no signs of abating, Marillier pondered his options, deciding to continue the fight but in the service of the South African Constabulary. On 23 November 1900 he attested at Heidelberg in the Transvaal for one year’s service with this para-military force and was assigned no. C23 and the rank of 3rd Class Trooper.

Confirming that he was still single and had served with the N.N.V. he was described as being 5 feet 8 inches in height with brown eyes, brown hair and a fresh complexion. His general appearance was “slight”. A clerk by occupation he provided his brother, Frederic, of His Majesty’s Customs Department, Point, Durban, as his next of kin (Henry Marillier had passed away in 1895 and his wife soon after).

Adjudging that his Riding skills were “Good”, his Shooting skills were on par although it was determined that he was “blowing hard”. He also claimed to speak Kaffir and had very good hearing and sight. The testimonials he provided (a requirement for the job) came from a Mr Povell, James Forbes and his ex-Officer Commanding, George Tatum.

Having commenced service Marillier was stationed at Heidelberg in the Transvaal. His rise was meteoric – on 31 March 1901 he was transferred from No. 5 Troop to Divisional Staff. Two months later, on 20 May, he was promoted from 3rd Class Trooper to 2nd Class Sergeant. This was followed by promotion to 1st Class Sergeant on 8 August 1901 and to Quarter Master Sergeant on 22 November 1901 – exactly a year after he had started. It was also time for him to apply for renewal of his contract and his request for a 2-year extension was acceded to.

On 1 May 1903 he received his final promotion – to Sergeant Major. Towards the end of his service Marillier was posted to Mbabane in Swaziland and it was from here, on 21 August 1904, that he wrote to O.C. 5 Troop as follows: -

‘Sir

I have the honour to apply for 3 months leave pending my discharge from the S.A.C. I wish to apply for leave as from and after 25 August 1904 to 22 November 1904 on which date my time in the S.A.C. expires. I have obtained employment with the Swaziland Corporation on the Forbes Reef Mine and they are desirous that I should start work with them at once. As this is likely to be permanent employment I shall be glad if you will expedite my request.

I have the honour etc.’

Marillier’s submission was duly acted on and, on his discharge form, the following comments were entered: -

‘Thoroughly sober and reliable, a good Clerk, painstaking and industrious. A good Policeman with good common sense.’

After 4 years Constantine Marillier was out of uniform. Having qualified for the Queens Medal with Defence of Ladysmith clasp, this was issued to him off the roll dated 10 July 1901. For is service with the S.A.C. he was awarded the Kinds Medal with the two date clasps. This was issued off the roll dated 18 December 1904. The whereabouts of this medal is unknown.

But this was not the last we to hear from Marillier. On 18 January 1912, at the age of 42, he wed Lizzie Ada Wilson in St. Saviour’s Cathedral, Pietermaritzburg. She was a widow living in Bulwer in the Polela Division of natal and he was an Accountant still in the employ of the Forbes Reef Mine. He passed away in 1919 at the age of 49.

Bravo Zulu Rory, thank you for your research on a little known unit..... Being an ex-blue jacket it is appreciated...… Mike

Another photo has surfaced with the NNV boys in the Defence of Ladysmith - on this occasion, one taken at Caesar's Camp.