TOPIC:

FERGUSON, D. E.

REG. NO.: 25174
RANK: QUARTERMASTER SERGEANT

REGT: 74TH COMPANY 16TH BATTALION (DUBLIN) IMPERIAL YEOMANRY
BARS: CAPE COLONY, ORANGE FREE STATE, TRANSVAAL

REMARKS / HISTORY:

1. The 74th Company Imperial Yeomanry landed in South Africa on 3/5/1900.


Public opinion with regard to the performance of the Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa rose and fell in line with its performance in the field. That opinion reached a fresh low during the first half of 1901, when the Imperial Yeomanry were heavily criticised with regard to their performance during a series of minor actions, in particular for their incompetence and willingness to surrender. Major Edmond Allenby, who later commanded the British forces in Palestine during WW1, was particularly critical, writing that "These yeomen are useless. After being some months in the field they learn a bit, but by the time they are of any use, they have probably been captured two or three times, presenting the Boers on each occasion with a horse, rifle and 150 rounds of ammunition per man." Questions were asked in Parliament, and the furore received wide coverage in the newspapers of the day. By July of 1901 even Kitchener himself had reached the end of his tether and was suggesting that the whole of the Imperial Yeomanry be sent home.

At this point the reputation of the Imperial Yeomanry was once again saved by the outstanding bravery displayed by on of its units in the field, the gallant defence of a convoy at Rooikopjes, outside Griquatown, by men of the 74th (Dublin) Company on 24th August 1901. The two mile long convoy was transporting food to the remote town of Griquatown in the north-west of Cape Colony, which was surrounded by Boer commandos and in urgent need of supplies. The convoy was escorted by the 100 strong 74th Company, commanded by a Captain James Humby, who had himself been taken prisoner at Lindley the previous year. When the convoy was attacked by several hundred Boers, Captain Humby quickly laagered the wagons. At the same time he ordered the Irish yeomanry to seize a ridge which overlooked the convoy and provide covering fire. This they did, holding it throughout the whole of the following night, during which they were involved in intense close- quarter fighting. During the defence of the convoy, the Dublin Company lost 7 men killed and 25 wounded, two of the wounded later dying. Public sympathy was increased further when it was revealed that three of the volunteer privates of the 74th who had been killed during the action, Oliffe, McLean and Bonynge, were childhood friends who had grown up together, playing alongside each other on the streets of the North Strand area of Dublin, and died fighting beside each other on the ridge.

From a letter of condolence written to the family of McLean by Captain Humby, paying tribute to the bravery of McLean, Oliffe and Bonynge, and of the 74th Company as a unit: "Please accept my sincere sympathy with you in the great loss you have sustained in losing such a good brother and two such noble friends in John Oliffe and Charles Bonynge. I am please to say the boys acquitted themselves magnificently; no-one could have stood up better than they did and it was nothing but their indomitable courage that saved the convoy from being taken as we were entirely outnumbered and surrounded and the country in which we had to fight was everything against us. The description of the fight, I have no doubt, has appeared in the papers before this. I am please to say the General (Kitchener) sent a very nice telegram to the men congratulating them in their stand and sympathising with them on the loss of so many noble comrades." All of the casualties suffered by the 74th Dublin Company in the South African campaign are commemorated on a memorial erected in the square outside St Andrew Church, St Andrew Street, Dublin, where it stands to this day, just inside the railings.

Captain Humby, who commanded the 74th Dublins during the action, was subsequently mentioned in Lord Kitchener's dispatches of 8/10/1901 for the "able manner in which he extricated a convoy from a difficult situation near Griquetown, Cape Colony, August 24th" and was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Order (London Gazette 31/10/1902).

Mike,

With medals to the IY often being overlooked, your research reminds us that we do this at our peril.

With thanks
David

Gentlemen
I have never understood the negative brush that tars the IY as a whole. Perhaps due to people having read the earlier, racy 60's/70's accounts of the campaign and leaving it at that. The first contingent of IY were generally excellent; motivated and frequently good horsemen. The second contingent were hastily recruited and very sketchily tested before enlistment. Training was also sketchy (if that) and some had never fired their rifles when they had to face veteran Boer commandoes in the western Transvaal. They improved greatly as time went on. Yes, they had problems and and a lot had to be sent back to the UK; including many officers. The learning curve is revealed in comments by L/col. J.Keir (Commanding 1st BN IY) in 9/01; "Much indignation in 1st IY at reports in papers about new yeomen. Most unjust. In my opinion the men are very good indeed". the 12th Bn IY's CO was more pointed; " Can you enlighten me as to why everyone crabs the New Yeomanry? I consider they are extremely good and brave as lions". L/Col William Hickie (one of the best column commanders) stated that he "would not change his two IY coys for an equal number of men from any corps in SA". I could go on. Anyone doubting the later overall competency and bravery of the second IY should read Bennet's "Absent Minded Beggars".
The third IY contingent was very well trained in the UK before it left for SA. Unfortunately, their thorough training meant that the war was almost over before they arrived.
To conclude with one of Will Bennet's appropriate comments: "The Royal Commission concluded that "the men of the Second contingent, after they had received some training, did well". Bennet concludes that, in the end, against the odds, the second contingent of the IY shook off the title of "DeWet's Own".
Those who have read this far will conclude that I, for one, am very happy to feature Imperial Yeomanry QSA/KSA in my collection.
Regards to all
IL.

From the heir to a family estate in Northern California, I've just today, 3 April 2015, acquired an unusual medal group of six to a man in the 74th Coy, 16th Bn, I.Y. It consists of his QSA, w/ 4 clasps: CC, OFS, Trans & SA'01, this medal quite correctly named "32556 TPr G.A. DAVIES. IMP. YEO." The other five medals are: KSA to same number, rank and name in the "74th CO.I.Y."; a 1914 Star trio all named to "Capt. G.A. Davies Yorks L.I.", and last but not least a Military Medal (MM) to "Capt. G.A. Davies 6th Innis: Dragoons." The unusual part is that these last five medals are all renamed.
Unfortunately the heir had no information about Mr. Davies, but at some point he relocated to California where he died many years ago and his medals sat with the heir's mother, recently passed. But it would seem, that as no officer of that name/unit has so far been found in WW I roles, and of course the MM is an enlisted award not named to officers, Trooper Davies likely self-awarded five additional medals. They were suspended on two pinback mounts with quite old worn ribbons as it seems he wore them. If he was in Calif. early on, such display would have likely gone unnoticed and unquestioned by anyone here. There are many more questions of course, but so far quite an interesting, though disappointing, group and perhaps an early example of "stolen valor"?