TOPIC:

John William Wheatland Edwards

Farrier Sergeant, Thorneycroft’s Mounted Infantry
Veterinary Officer & Lieutenant, Steinaecker’s Horse – Anglo Boer War

- Queens South Africa Medal (Cape Colony/Tugela Heights/Orange Free State/Relief of Ladysmith/Transvaal/Laing’s Nek) to VET: LIEUT: J.W.W. EDWARDS, STEINAECKER’S HORSE

- Kings South Africa Medal (South Africa 1901/1902) to Lt. & V.O. J.W.W. EDWARDS. Steinaecker’s H.

John Edwards came from, in South African terms, a strong settler pedigree. His father, John Wheatland Edwards, was an Inn Keeper and Carrier who hailed from Hatfield in Yorkshire, who was rumoured to be the half-brother of Sir George Ferguson Bowen, at one time Governor of New Zealand. Edwards senior had arrived in Natal in the pioneer years, marrying Mary Ann Leathern in Durban on 3 October 1846. Mary Ann’s father, William Leathern, was a formidable old Colonist and farmer in the Ladysmith district of Natal.

According to a grandchild, Edwards had been a Sea Captain and had been in port when he had met Mary Ann, then aged 14. She had gone to the port with her mother, and had tried to catch a cat. Edwards had come to her assistance and, returning to Durban eighteen months later as a passenger, he had married her. The credence of this account is strengthened by the story that whenever he was annoyed with his wife he would say, “Damn that cat!”

After a series of misguided and failed business ventures, Edwards senior transferred all his estate and effects to his brother-in-law, William Leathern (junior). Things had come to such a sorry pass that, according to the Pietermaritzburg Directory for 1859, he and his family had moved in with his sister-in-law and were lodging at 26 Church Street, Pietermaritzburg. John W.W., the subject of this work, was born on 7 September 1858 in Pietermaritzburg. Originally named John William Edwards, the Wheatland moniker was added later.


Church Street, Pietermaritzburg in 1908 when Edwards had his Tobacconist shop and living quarters 126 Church Street.

Growing up in Pietermaritzburg, he didn’t want for playmates and had many siblings in the form of Susannah Mary (born 1848), Elizabeth Ellen (born 1850), William Wheatland (born 1854), Thomas Charles (born 1856), Emma (born 1862), Louisa Alice (born 1864), Rosa (born 1866), Henry Edward (born 1869) and Percy Arthur (born 1873).

Having finished what was most likely a satisfactory education for the times, Edwards was articled to Mr Samuel Wiltshire, M.R.C.V.S., the Natal Government Principal Veterinary Officer, from 1881 to 1884. Here he picked up the skills and knowledge that would be required for his future endeavours. He also worked closely with (later Sir) Francis Duck, at that time a Senior Veterinary Surgeon for the Colony of Natal and later, the Officer Commanding the Army Veterinary Department in Natal, who utilised his services on many occasions. It was probably during this period that he achieved moderate fame as a noted racing cyclist. He must have been an imposing site, requiring some skill, to race the penny farthing cycles of the day.

Word would have reached Pietermaritzburg in the late 1880’s that gold had been discovered in the Barberton region of the Eastern Transvaal. As happened in other parts of the country when similar deposits were discovered, a “rush” – some would say a stampede – took place to cash in on the, as yet undiscovered riches the earth had to offer. Edwards, imbued with an adventurous spirit, saw an opportunity for his services and betook himself to what was, in the early days, a rough and ready shanty town which evolved into the place now known as Barberton.


Pilgrim Street, Barberton opposite the Barberton Club - late 1890's

Arriving in about 1886, he set up shop as a Farrier, offering the added services of a Veterinarian. This based not on any professional qualification, but on the skills he had acquired in Pietermaritzburg, he soon set up a thriving practice. On 31 January 1894, in the All Saints Church in Barberton, he wed 25 year old Alice Caroline Lean, a local resident. He was 35 years old at the time and a Farrier (on his marriage certificate) by occupation. Distressingly, this marriage was to be short-lived, his bride of less than a year passed away at Barberton on 18 January 1895 with chronic consumption.

As the end of the 19th century neared, the rumours of war grew. The Transvaal (or Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek) of which Barberton was a part, along with her ally the Orange Free State had had enough of the shenanigans of the British Government under Chamberlain and their South African representative, Sir Alfred Milner. This last worthy had been accused of fomenting trouble among the “Uitlanders” – those in the Transvaal of mainly British birth who, despite adding substantially to the coffers of an otherwise bankrupt Transvaal economy, were denied the franchise or any say in the running of the country. The agitation had begun with the Jameson Raid in 1896 and had continued, unabated, ever since. Matters came to a head on 11 October 1899 when, as was to be expected, the British Government ignored an ultimatum sent by President Kruger. This led to the outbreak of war with the combined forces of both Dutch-speaking Republics pouring over the borders into Natal and the Cape – both British Colonies.

But what of Edwards, stuck in far away Barberton? Here too the Boers had begun to mobilise and, as with those of British descent on the Witwatersrand, the English-speaking locals, irrespective of how long they had been in the area, took flight for safer havens such as Lourenco Marques and Durban.

Edwards was no different – not wanting to be caught up in the rush, and a widower without family encumbrances – he left Barberton on 3 October and headed for his home town of Pietermaritzburg. On 20 October 1899 he completed the attestation form for service with Thorneycroft’s Mounted Infantry. Assigned the rank of Farrier Sergeant (no doubt in recognition of his skills), he took to the field with A Squadron, no. 8665 with a pay of 5/- per day. The form that he completed provided the first physical glimpse of him – aged 41, he was 5 feet 8 ½ inches in height, weighed 147 lbs and had a medium complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.

Thorneycroft’s was to become famous in the course of the war, raised at Pietermaritzburg by Major A W Thorneycroft of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, they did a good deal of patrol work prior to the battle of Colenso on 15th December 1899, and thus had some opportunities of getting into shape. By the middle of November the corps had reached a strength of 500. Their first engagement was outside Mooi River on 22nd November, under Major General Barton, when he was endeavouring to clear the enemy from the country between himself and Major-General Hildyard, who, for four days in November 1899, was practically shut up in Estcourt. The corps had two wounded. At Colenso the regiment was heavily engaged, like the rest of Lord Dundonald's Brigade of Irregulars. The regiment was on the extreme right of the British line, and made a fine effort to capture Hlangwane — indeed some of those who were present expressed the opinion that if any substantial support had been sent them, they would have succeeded in their attempt.

In the movement by which General Buller attempted to turn the Boer right Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry were again with Lord Dundonald. On the 18th and 20th of January 1900 the regiment had not so conspicuous a place as the composite regiment of Mounted Infantry or the South African Light Horse. When Bastion Hill was seized the regiment was on Lord Dundonald's right, keeping in touch with the left of Hildyard's infantry.

On the 22nd it was determined that Spion Kop, the great hill, at the angle where the Boer line turned back from the river, must be taken. To allow of the ground being examined the operation was put off till the evening of the 23rd. At first it was arranged to ascend by the south-east face, next to Trichardt's Drift; but, near dusk on the 23rd, General Woodgate, who was in command of the assaulting force, decided to go by the south-west face. In the brief twilight Colonel Thorneycroft made a hasty reconnaissance, and sketched the outstanding features, trees, kraals, etc. The force employed was the 2nd Battalion Royal Lancaster Regiment, the 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, two companies of the 1st Battalion South Lancashire Regiment, and Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry, whose strength was 18 officers and 180 men, all dismounted for the task in hand. About 11 pm on the 23rd the force moved off, and after the first half-mile Thorneycroft and his men headed the column, the Colonel himself, with Lieutenants Farquhar and Gordon Forbes and Privates Shaw and Macadam, acting as guides. The most perfect silence was maintained. Halts were frequently made in the ascent, which was so difficult that at times the hands had to be used.

During the ascent the column opened out into lines, the order being — Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry, Lancashire Fusiliers, Royal Lancaster Regiment, and two companies South Lancashire Regiment. At 4 am the last slope was breasted, a Boer sentry challenged, and instantly the picket fired. The leading lines lay down until it was thought the magazines were emptied, then rushed forward with the bayonet; but the picket fled, and the summit was occupied. Steps were immediately taken to make defensive works.

What ensued thereafter is well known – with the harsh light of dawn it was found that the British forces had seriously miscalculated and had not reached the actual summit of the hill. They came under a withering fire from the Boers above them and, with almost no place to entrench themselves in the rocky ground and no cover, save for the occasional rock behind which to shelter, they incurred heavy casualties.

The problem every researcher of the battle encounters is the lack of information as to who exactly was on the hill. No records exist as to which companies or squadrons of each regiment or colonial outfit were in the firing line and which were held in reserve. Where the identity of a Company who was on the summit of Spioenkop is known, the names of the members of that Company are sadly missing. If a man was not either Killed in Action; Wounded in Action or taken Prisoner, his presence in the thick of things cannot be verified. Not being able to place Edwards atop the hill, I have merely recorded his presence at the scene on the day.

After the debacle of Spioenkop, the remnant of Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry was with Lord Dundonald protecting the right and rear at Vaal Krantz, and took part in the operations which commenced on 12th February and lasted till the 27th, when Ladysmith was relieved. Thorneycroft's men were the first troops to cross the Tugela on the 20th, and did most valuable scouting work on the 21st.

Once Ladysmith had been relieved, Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry took part in the movement for turning the Boer position on the Biggarsberg and that at Laing's Nek. They suffered slight casualties on various occasions during these operations. General Buller stated that on the 13th of June he sent back the Telegraph detachment under an escort of 150 men of Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry under Captain C F Minchin. "They were attacked by superior forces south of Gans Vlei, whom they drove off, and the waggons were brought safely back via Botha's Pass with the loss of only about seven miles of their line, which they were unable to pick up. I consider that Captain Minchin's dispositions were good". One officer and 2 men gained mention on this occasion.

When General Buller moved north towards Belfast and Lydenburg, the regiment remained with General Clery in the vicinity of the Natal-Pretoria Railway, and had arduous patrol work and often severe fighting, as on 6th September, when 4 men were killed and Captain Molyneux and several men were wounded.

In December 1900 the corps was railed from Standerton to Bloemfontein to strengthen the Thabanchu-Ladybrand line, and if possible to bar De Wet's retreat before the columns of General Charles Knox. De Wet broke through, but lost two guns and some waggons of ammunition. On 16th December Kritzinger and Hertzog, with about 2000 men, entered the Cape Colony, and among other troops Colonel Thorneycroft's men were railed to the Colony, where they took part in endless skirmishes and pursuits. On 25th December Lord Kitchener wired that the corps had occupied Britstown unopposed. The Boers retired in the direction of Prieska, and a few days later the corps was reported by the Commander-in-Chief to be pursuing a body of the enemy in the Carnarvon district.

In February 1901 De Wet himself entered the Colony, but by the splendid exertions of the numerous columns was soon driven out again, having left behind him all his guns and practically all his waggons. The corps took a prominent part in the pursuit between 14th and 24th February, and had casualties on several occasions. During March and April 1901 Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry were operating in the east of the Orange River Colony, at first south of Bloemfontein and afterwards about Brandfort, surprising and capturing on their farms by night many armed Burghers who, having been disbanded from De Wet's commandos, were living at their homes.

Edwards took his discharge from Thorneycroft’s on 19 March 1901 but his war was far from over. Having served as a Farrier in the first part of the war, he now seized an opportunity which presented itself to indulge in his other great passion – that of a Veterinary Surgeon. The position came with one of the most highly respected, and most feared, outfits in the war – Steinaecker’s Horse – with Edwards joining them as Veterinary Officer and Lieutenant on 10 June 1901.


Edwards's S.H. Attestation form.

Steinaecker’s Horse was an interesting body of men - raised in June 1900 by Major F Von Steinaecker to operate in Zululand and on the Swaziland border of the Transvaal; their leader had served as a Lieutenant in the Prussian Army, but had subsequently been, for nearly twenty years, in South and South-West Africa. Before raising his 'Horse' he had done one of the most daring exploits performed in the course of the war – that of attempting the blowing up of the great bridge at Komati Poort. On arrival they found it too strongly guarded so travelled all the night of 16th June, and on the 17th, after dark, placed nearly 100Ib of dynamite between the masonry and girders of a bridge at Malelane, forty miles up the line, and destroyed it.

When the armies of Lord Roberts and General Buller reached the eastern confines of the Transvaal, Steinaecker's Horse, now recruited up to 450 men, moved farther out into the very wild and unhealthy country (dubbed the Low Country) which lies west of the Portuguese border. From Komati as a centre they gradually extended their raids to the north and south for great distances, thereby denying to the enemy the use of the eastern lowlands for rest and recuperation. They also guarded closely the long eastern border against Boer despatch riders and ammunition runners. In time the corps completely occupied and pacified the whole low veldt to the Olifant's river, holding over a dozen permanent posts scattered over a large province.

The corps had now become one of the most complete and self-contained units in the country. They had their own intelligence, transport, workshops, etc and were able for over a year to work the Selati railway with their own men.

In their eminently unhealthy district, Steinaecker's men had much most arduous and very dangerous guerilla campaigning; but being a corps specially recruited for such tasks, and having an admirable leader, they escaped serious casualties for a long time.


Map of Barberton where Edwards spent much of his life and surrounding area where he served with Steinaecker's Horse

In July 1901, shortly after Edwards joined up, the corps met their first piece of bad luck. On the 22nd a party of about 100, many of whom were without horses, returned from a successful foray, bringing in some prisoners, stock, and a party of surrendered Burghers to Bremersdorp in Swaziland, a post which had been held by the corps for six months. They were followed by a force of Boers under Generals Opperman, Smuts, and Grobelaar which many times outnumbered them. The detachment evacuated the town, hoping to get clear away; but on the 23rd they were caught up by the enemy, and after a running fight, in which they lost 4 killed and a greater number wounded and captured, were forced to abandon their baggage. A party of the Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) made a very fine march from Komati Poort to assist, but did not arrive in time.

At the end of August Captain Gardyne, in command of a small party, captured 11 Boers, some waggons, and much stock, 150 miles north of Komati Poort.

In February 1902 Captain Holgate, the scout of the bridge destruction party, with 16 men, surprised and captured 18 of the enemy on the Swaziland border.

After the conclusion of the war Steinaecker's Horse, in somewhat reduced strength, remained in occupation of the eastern border until February 1903, when the South African Constabulary took over a number of the officers and men, and the others were disbanded.

Their district was one in which few white men could live, as is proved by the fact that every regular regiment which had the misfortune to be stationed near Komati Poort lost more than 50 per cent of its strength through fever. The regulars were generally accommodated in tents or huts, but Steinaecker's men had often to lie out for weeks at a time in districts so wild that lions were a most real danger,—as in the Sabie river valley,—and more than one poor fellow was seized and carried off almost from the camp fire, while one was taken by crocodiles. Many of the corps did not see the railway for months on end, while some of the wounded had actually to be carried over 150 miles before reaching any sort of hospital.

Edwards took his leave of Steinaecker’s on 9 January 1903 – like most of his corps, they served for a much longer period after the cessation of hostilities on 31 May 1902. Now out of uniform he set about rebuilding his life. His losses had been horrendous and, in his Claim for Compensation, submitted to the Imperial authorities on 22 July 1903, he stated the following:

‘I am a British subject born in Pietermaritzburg. I was a Veterinary Surgeon and kept a Farrier’s shop previous to the war breaking out. I tender a claim for £525.12.9 for losses occasioned by the war, all in respect of my Barberton shop and household effects . I rented a cottage containing two rooms near the Horseshoe Hotel from Mr Squire. I paid £2.2.6 per month. My Farrier’s shop was opposite the club in Masons Smith’s stable. I paid Mason, Smith and Gray £2 per month. I left Barberton on 3 October 1899 on account of war threatening. I fastened up the cottage and nailed up the windows. My Farrier’s tools I left in the shop and also my medicines and instruments. I asked no person to look after my things.

My claim includes the value of jewellery belonging to my late wife. This was in a safe in the cottage. I came to Barberton on duty as Veterinary Officer of Steinaecker’s Horse in October 1901. I was two days here. I went to the cottage and it was in occupation of some Military Police. There was nothing there at all – quite bare. This list was made on 5 March 1903 (a list of losses was attached to the claim). In October 1901 I made a claim to Col. Gifford, but he refused it as I could not swear that the damage had been done by troops. I took an inventory before I left. I learned from Mrs Harper who lives next door, that at least nine different Boer families lived in the house. She informs me that they in turn broke up my furniture and the children played with the vases and photographs. I was afraid to take the jewellery away as I heard that persons were being searched. I had the floor taken up and the safe put under the flooring.

My Vet’s instruments included hypodermic syringes, scapula’s and all instruments used in a small Vet’s Depot. The Boers I learned used my shop throughout the war and used up all my stock.’

As a witness to his statement, Edwards called upon Arthur Francis Allerston, a well-known photographer in later years who wrote as follows:
‘I know Mr Edwards. I knew him well before the war. I was Amalgamator at Joe’s Luck and used to visit Mr Edwards very often. He had two rooms. It was well furnished. In fact he had more furniture than was necessary.’

Thomas James also attested to Edwards statement:

‘I know Mr Edwards. I was shop assistant in Barberton. I left 10 October 1899. I know he had a well-equipped house: The fact he was a widower was the reason he had more furniture than is usual in two rooms. He had an extensive business as a Farrier and Veterinary Surgeon. I knew his shop. It was a well-fitted tradesman’s shop. I came back second week of November 1900. I saw his dwelling house. It was occupied by Boers. The military was using his Farrier’s shop. It was a well appointed place. Better than a bachelor would think of having.’

The upshot of all of this was that Edwards was awarded an amount of £200 with which to get his life back on track.


Edwards letter requesting employment

Simultaneous to his claim, he was also penning letters, far and wide, in the hope of employment. Writing from his temporary domicile at the Barberton Club on 20 March 1903, he applied himself first to the Chief of the Transvaal Agricultural Department in Pretoria:

‘Sir

I have the honour to apply to you for an appointment. The Principal Veterinary Officer, Transvaal, informed me that there are vacancies in your department. I would be pleased to accept one in any part of the Transvaal or district you may have open.

Having lost everything I possess viz.- veterinary drugs, instruments, Farrier’s shop and furniture - in the Boer occupation of Barberton and to practice locally and procure stock will require capital larger than I can command at present.

Trusting you will grant me your indulgence…’

To this approach he received a response in the negative, the reply being that there were “No Vacancies” but asking for his qualifications should anything arise. To this Edwards responded that,

“I have not qualified as a V.S. as I lived in Pietermaritzburg, Natal. Whilst in Steinaecker’s Horse as V.O. (19 months), Major Raymond, S.V.O. Eastern Transvaal, made inspections and was thoroughly satisfied as to my ability. From July 1886 to October 1899, I practiced in this district and in the Low Country and have been very successful with horse sickness and cattle diseases.”



This was, seemingly, not enough to induce an offer of employment from those to whom he had applied himself and, having moved to Pretoria to be near the seat of power, he tried a different tack – writing on 10 August 1903 to the Colonial Secretary, Transvaal, he stated that:

“Sir

I have the honour to place the following matter before you for consideration. In “May” of this year, I reported to the authorities in Pretoria the fact that I am convinced I have discovered the much sought for Cure for Horse Sickness, so disastrous in this Colony, as in many parts of South Africa.

I have made a study of horse sickness and experimented on it in the Low Country, Barberton and Komati Poort districts since July 1886, and am absolutely confident that my method is permanently effectual.

I now beg leave to place the matter before you, in the hopes that you will grant me a trial. As I am at any moment ready to put my services at the disposal of the Government, and will experiment on as many horses and mules as desired, feeling quite sure of the result.

Trusting to hear from you at your earliest convenience.

J.W.W. Edwards, Late Veterinary Officer, Steinaecker’s Horse.”

His letter was referred to the Department of Agriculture where it appears to have died a quiet death.

Undeterred until now, the indefatigable Edwards admitted defeat and headed back to Barberton carrying on business as a Veterinary Surgeon, no doubt having re-equipped his practice with the £200 in compensation he had received. The life of a young widower is a lonely one and, to help ease the burden, he took a wife for himself, marrying Georgina Grix, a widow and mother of seven children, in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Office on 27 December 1905.

There is every chance that he decided to take up residence in Pietermaritzburg once more. Abandoning his Vet’s practice, he became a shop keeper – by January 1907, according to the Natal Directory, he was a Tobacconist at 126 Church Street. This was confirmed by the member list of the Skelmersdale Lodge of the Free Masons of which he became a member on 22 September 1910, having paid his 7/6 fees. (He resigned on 24 July 1912)

His second wife died intestate on 16 September 1919 at the age of 69, her seven surviving children having all been with her first husband. This created a problem for Edwards – because they had been married in Community of Property, his business had to be sold. The proceeds, together with his inheritance from his Leathern grandparents, had to be brought into the estate and, because he had no children of his own, the Grix children inherited the money.

John William Wheatland Edwards, after a long and interesting life, passed away at Grey’s Hospital, Pietermaritzburg at the age of 80, on 29 September 1938. He was living at 257 Retief Street at the time and had expired from Cerebral Thrombosis and Acute Bronchitis. He was described as a Retired Tobacconist. Nowhere, it would appear, was he given credit for his years of service to the Veterinary profession.

Thank you Rory, a fascinating account of the life behind the medals
Clive