TOPIC:

djb wrote: Frank,

We should start a new thread to remember all those engagements that ended in a bayonet charge. There were not that many?

Here is mine......

289 PRIVATE SHEPHERD, W. H. G., KING'S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS, 1st BATTALION
BARS: TALANA, DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH, TRANSVAAL, LAING'S NEK

Hi David

My records show that Fisher Died of Disease

Henk

Frank Kelley wrote: Hello David,
Well, as I understand it, on the day in question, the bugle was sounded and the charge was made, don't forget that their blood was up and "jonny boer" had no answer to the bayonet!
Kind regards Frank

djb wrote: Frank,

We should start a new thread to remember all those engagements that ended in a bayonet charge. There were not that many?

Would my man, Goodall, KRRC , ( QSA page 13) inevitably qualify, or was it only certain elements of the KRRC who charged?

Patrick

"A small body of our men, chiefly Rifles, took the summit with the bayonet"
Or so the story goes!

Remember that you would need to have remained in a reasonable state, free of wounds, well forward, to have actually engaged those Boers, that had not already run down the other side, on the day, they would not have remained there for very long, I can't think of many sights more disagreeable than men who simply keep on coming in short rushes, over the top of their dead and wounded colleagues with express intention of killing you.


Would my man, Goodall, KRRC , ( QSA page 13) inevitably qualify, or was it only certain elements of the KRRC who charged?

Patrick[/quote]

Henk,

How interesting. Steve Watt agreed with you, DOD Middelburg. I'll see if the papers confirm.

Best wishes
David

The Times, 8 Jan 1902, list the casualties from Middelburg and Pte Fisher (last in the list) is shown as dying from peritonitis.