Probably 6th February 1901 was the only date of any importance in the history of Lake Chrissie ever. Nowadays it is a place to go to if you want to look at birds ( especially flamingos) and frogs. Back then there was a small town close by named Bothwell . It has been renamed Chrissiemeer ( Afrikaans for Lake Chrissie ) and is still a small town ( probably smaller than it was then ).
The Times History of the War in South Africa rather sniffily says " Lake Chrissie is little more than a glorified "pan"filling up in the rainy season and partially dry in times of drought." It was here that Smith - Dorrian's column camped on the evening of 5th February. The Boer General , Botha saw this large convoy with all its supplies and ammunition as an irresistable target. The British camp was well defended but were surprised when at 2.50 am on 6th February , "..a tremendous fusillade broke out followed immediately by a rush of galloping hooves through the crowded camp. The horses of the 5th Lancers and ILH had stampeded , causing a great deal of confusion on the plateau and an unsteadiness among some of the mounted corps which was greater than it need have been. " The Boers used the stampeding horses as cover and cut up some of the West Yorks pickets. They weren't able to overwhealm the camp totally and were driven off. Losses were about even at about 80 each.
Why the interest ? Well, I have just bought a no bar QSA to E M Waugh of the Natal Police and it transpires that Waugh, who had initially attested into the Natal Police in July 1896, had moved to the 2nd ILH in January 1901. After less than a month he was severely wounded in the Lake Chrissie action and was discharged shortly aftrewards. He was entitled to the bars, Natal, Transvaal and 1901. These I shall add to the medal. He obviously enjoyed the military life and saw service as a Sergeant in Roystons Horse in the 1906 Rebellion and in WW1 joined the Natal Light Horse as a Staff Sergeant in HQ Company, but reverted to Trooper so that he could be in the Regimental Scout section. He was severely wounded at Gibeon and was discharged after a long stay in hospital in 1916. He died in 1925, aged 46. Sadly I dont have any of his medals other than the QSA as it would have made a fine group.
Regards
Mike