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Lord Kitchener's Mentions (April 8, 1902)
The heaviest loss at the battle of Brekspruit, March 31, 1902, fell upon this regiment, who, in their first fight of importance since landing displayed the utmost bravery and determination. Lieutenant Bruce Carruthers especially distinguished himself. Being in command of a detachment of rearguard coming into camp, he remained out in a position of observation, in which he eventually found himself isolated and surrounded by a large body of the enemy. Rejecting all idea of surrender, however, his small patrol of 21 men fought stubbornly on to the end, no less than six of their number ( including Lieutenant Carruthers ) being killed and 21 wounded. There have been fewer fine instances of heroism in the whole course of the campaign.

Boschbult, March 31, 1902

Surgeon Major J. A. Devine – for good service
Lieutenant Bruce Carruthers – in command of a detached party, fought till all were killed or wounded.....
Sergeants: J.C. Perry (Killed) – for good service
H.A. Less – twice tried to carry Dispatches through the enemy's lineS under heavy close fire.
Corporal J. A. Wilkinson, (Promoted Sergeant)
Lance- Corporal J. C. Bond, (Promoted Corporal)
Privates: G. Beth, (Promoted Corporal) part of Carruther's party, noticeable in rallying troops.
P. H. Kelly, (Promoted Corporal) especilly good work as hospital orderly under heavy fire,
C. N. Evans, (killed), after being mortally wounded, fired two bandoleers of ammunition and then broke his rifle to prevent it falling into enemy's hands.

DECORATIONS

Surgeon Major, A. Devine – Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.)
Sergeant D.C.F. Bliss – Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M.)
Sergeant J.G. Dale – Distingished Conduct Medal (D.C.M.)

ABBREVIATED DAILY ORDERS

Date: 1901 – Nov. 23rd

Event: Secretary of state for the Colonies (Chamberlain) telegraphed G.G., H.H. Gov't would “gratefully accept” offer for another contingent / authorized a corps to consist of not less than 600 men.

Remarks: (Conditions of service etc, laid out in short as previously shown)

Note: Regiment first designated “Canadian Yeomanry” but during organization designation changed to 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles.

Date: 1901 – Dec.- 1st

Event: Mr. Chamberlain telegraphed that troop ships “Manhattan” and “Victorian” proceeding to Halifax to pick up troops that room for 2 additional squadrons offer was made.

Date: 1901 – Dec.- 14th

Event: Two additional Squadrons authorized by the Imperial Government.

Date: 1901 – Dec. 16th

Event: Orders issued to commence recruiting on 23rd December. Few weeks at Halifax previous to embarkation fully utilized in interior economy, Regimental Drill, Musketry Course.

Date 1902 – Jan. 14 th

Event: S.S. Manhatton saled, with left wing and 1 troop right wing (513) horses.

January 28th

Event: S.S. Victorian sailed with HQ and right wing (486) horses and 10th Canadian Field Hospital.

February 18th

Event: S.S. Manhattan arrived Durban (loss 9 horses)

February 25th

Event: S.S. Victorian arrived Durban (loss 22 horses)

Both wings entrained for Newcastle. Heat intense. Floors of box cars of iron and very slippery. 2 Days journey did serious injury to horses. (Several died en route.)

February 27th

Event: Arrived Newcastle. 2 Wings occupy separate camps. HQ and right wing quarantined in isolation on account of smallpox. (No new cases developed.)

Left wing during stay at Newcastle furnished a Squadron to Botha's Pass during drive. Also performed convoy duties, Right wing although quarantined occupied advance position, (Strongly entrenched and did outpost duty.)

March 1st

Event: Lord Kitchener ( C. in C.) inspected Regiment

March 6th

Event: General Lyttleton inspected Regiment

March 10th

Event: General Walter Kitchener inspected Regiment

March 14th

Event: Orders received to proceed by route march to Volkrust and thence by rail to Klerksdorp.

Remarks: 2 Day march past Majuba through Lang's Nek to Volkrust, 2 days by rail.

March 18th

Event: Arrived Klerksdorp. Attached to Colonel Cookson's column in General Walter Kitchener's Division.

March 21st

Event: Engaged in active Operations (just commenced in Western Transvaal). Chief events in connection with these operations.

Night ride to Witpoort Ridge followed by drive at daybreak the next morning.

Remarks: 45 Miles. Regiment covered 85 miles in 23 hours.

March 23rd

Event: 6:30 p.m. Whole column marched from camp (light). Horses carried 6 lbs oats. Men 1/3 ration, biscuits, tinned meat 180 Rounds of Ammunition. Clear moonlight night. Country undulating with several large ridges, partly covered with low bush. Numerous ant holes and rabbit burrows. Weak horses broke down. No effort to pick up man. Drive would work back over ground in morning and object was to be in place by daybreak. (45 miles to cover.)

Remarks: Column proceeded at fast trot or gallop. Brief Halts.

March 24th

Events: 3 a.m. Arrived Witpoort, Left wing Major Cameron with Imperial Yeomanry and Mounted Infantry formed a reserve on main road running through the ridge. Right wing under Colonel Evans occupied southern ½ of ridge with a chain or outposts. (Rocky ridge difficult for horses.)

4.30 a.m. Chain of outposts completed. Northern ½ of ridge occupied by Damant's Horse.

5.00 a.m. Orders were for whole line to advance. Move Eastward. Scouts and A Squadron engaged with a party of enemy and were unable to take part in advance until line preceded some distance.

Remarks: Shortly after advance commenced.

Evans occupied whole of ground laid out with C and portion of D Squadron.

Remarks: Instead of whole right wing.

2 Men fell out on march. One (Private Haggarty) captured by 60 Boers in khaki and wearing helmets). Other man (Private Fraser) stripped by Boers and made his way to Klerksdorp (by 3 a.m. 25 March) in company with 4 other Canadians.

Remarks: Leckies Report states Haggarty reported in 24 Mar. in evening.

On arrival Witpoort Ridge, Lt. Callaghan and 1 Troop A Squadron occupied southerly position. 300 yards north, Lt. Allan with 2 Troop A Squadron. Same interval. 3 rd Troop Lt. Fishwick. Same interval, 4th Troop. Word sent back Boers advancing on 1st Troop. Horses to rear of 4th Troop and informed Lt. Richards and Hiam of B Squadron (Hiam to pass word along.) Returning to 1st Troop position, met scout with young Boer prisoner. Heard firing and proceeded. Arriving met Callaghan, Tryon and E. B. Allan with 2nd Troop. Brought them safel into camp. 1st Troop Lt. Tryon, formed center for most of the day. 4th Troop and most of 3rd Troop in 2nd line under Squadron Sergeant Major Dyer.. Horses tired due to night march had tendency to mix up the units as each Troop A Squadron left ridge for some point.

Remarks: Lt. Callaghan's good scouting avoided serious trouble before the ridge could be left safely.

March 24th, Staff Diary:

7 a.m. Scouts under Lieut. Callaghan overtook and captured, in a very smart manner, 6 wagons, 100 head of cattle and 2 cape carts plus one wounded prisoner in one of the wagons.

5:30 p.m. Regiment arrived in camp at Oorbiejestfontein. Shortly after, a heavy thunder and hail storm drenched the troops. Wagons with supplies (i.e. blankets, etc) had come out from Klerksdorp. Regiment has one slightly wounded, 22 missing. Killed two enemy, 3 prisoners, 6 wagons with oxen complete, 3 cape cars 100 head of cattle, six ponies.

Remarks: Marched during the previous 22 hrs 80 miles.

Escorted by 2,000 infantry

Regiment lost 30 horses, injured or exhausted on road. Men returned next day.

3 p.m. 1st and 2nd column marched, 2 days rations and 1 blanket per man. Right wing with main body. Left wing with main body. Left wing under Major Cameron, as baggage escort. Object – Reconnaissance in force to the junction of Brakespruit and Harts River, remainder of Division to follow a few hours later.

10 a.m. Lieut. Callaghan and two scouts sent to right to look for tracks of the enemy. (Davis see end of document) Stuck to trail to the west of north from the axis of advance. Sent word back – enemy 500 men with two guns. Could only be a few miles ahead. Column changed direction and in a few minuets the enemy was sighted. Evans ordered to hold Right Wing until Major Cameron arrived with the convoy.

Remarks: Convoy to be brought forward A.S.A.P.

Advance party of 60 men reached Lieutenant Callaghan. They galloped to get the guns. This party advanced about 3 miles when the strong Boer rear party opened up.

Remarks: Rear party concealed in bush about a farm house and clumps of bush to the right and left.

Advance party at once dismounted and opened fire (largely outnumbered. 2 Men killed and 9 wounded, 15 horses killed). Main column came in sight and the Boer rearguard retired. Boer main body, when main column galloped into view, showed up in force.

Boer main body retired slowly towards high ridges. About this time, the convoy came into view.

Remarks: Boers appeared to be contemplating an attack on portion of column in view.

As wagons were moving across country in line, instead of column, with the right wing Canadian Mounted Rifles in advance with the left wing surrounding the convoy, it gave the effect of a very large additional body of troops (enveloped in a cloud of dust.)

Arrived Boschbult Farm, our force into camp, wagons laagered and wired together, and troops commenced entrenching.

Remarks: Enemy outnumbered column by at least 500.

Post of Mounted infantry (200) with a Colt gun and Pom-Pom were left at the farm 600 yards in Canadian Mounted Rifles rear. Lieutenant Bruce Carruthers, 3 rd / 4 th Troop E Squadron, who formed the rear guard for the convoy, instead of following the convoy into camp remained near the farm (M.I. plus Colt and Pom-Pom) as an observation post and sent into camp for orders. Enemy now realizing the inferior strength prepared to attack.

2 p.m. To 5 p.m. Camp subjected to tremendous rifle and shell fire from 3 sides. Every attempt by Boers to approach was driven back by well directed fire of rifles and guns. About 5 p.m. Enemy withdrew. Boer artillery fire, well directed but little damage as few shells exploded.

Remarks: Boer guns were those taken from Methven's column.

While camp was being attacked Lieutenant Carruther's party (about 21 men of 3rd and 4th Troop E Squadron) had moved to the right of the farm. Sergeant Hodgins with another small party of E Squadron was to Lieutenants Carruther's right. Still farther to the right was a detachment of about 75 Mounted Infantry who galloped through the line occupied by Hodgins and the Carruthers. Carruthers and his N.C.O.'s kept his men in hand, dismounted them and formed a half moon shape to face the on coming Boers. Sgt. Hodgins' men were being swept off by the M.I. Stampede but he rallied about ten men and dismounted to meet the attack. Splendid stand made by Carruthers party without cover of any kind and against overwhelming odds. Before Carruthers party's ammo was exhausted, 17 out of 21 were killed or wounded. Heroic deeds by a number of the men.

Remarks: Sergeant Perry, although wounded, fought until he was killed.

Main attack of the enemy was first against the rear of the camp. Attack quickly enveloped the three exposed sides, concentrated on the front where the wagons offered the only cover. Banks of the spruit gave fair cover. Trenches had only commenced and were too shallow for cover.

While under heavy fire, trip wires were put down in event of a Boer rush. All ranks acted with absolute coolness. 25% of CMR's had previous service and leveling effect on these men were evident.

As enemy rifle fire from the front (if high would strike our rear and vice versa) and the fire the left infiltrated the whole camp. The casualties in both men and horses were fairly numerous.

Remarks: Total casualties for CMR was about 9% of total strength.

Considering enemy strength and concentration of fire, the total losses of the column was very small. Canadian Mounted Rifles occupied several very exposed parts of the line, therefore is losses were rather heavier than those other troops engaged.

Killed 0/8
Wounded 3/39
Missing 0/7
Horses 121
Mules 22
(In all 200 casualties for the force.)

After enemy retired, the whole force proceeded to dig trenches, stretch wire trip lines and prepare for a night attack. After dark a party of 3 (Sgt. Lee A Squadron CMR) tried to get through to General W. Kitchener's column but ran into large party of the enemy. Lee's horse shot and party returned to camp. Intelligence officer shot by own troops while returning.

Enemy made no attempt to renew the attack through the night or following morning. Enemy ambulances were at work through the night and when the column marched out the following morning of April 1.

Remarks: Enemy losses as attributed to one of the Boer Surgeons was about 250.

Operations ending near Harts River in the Battle of Boschbult.

April 1st

11 a.m. Colonel Evans and Canadian Mounted Rifles held burial services for the gallant dead. Canadian Mounted Rifles buried at a well defined spot in the garden of Boschbult farm, just by the Hartebestefontein road. Tombstones read “To The Memory of the Canadian Mounted Rifles who fell in action here on March 31 st.” Surrounded by a Maple Leaf.

Remarks: In a heavy downpour of rain. Small crosses placed at the head of each grave. A roughly carved tombstone to mark the site placed in the center of the plot. At the foot a bottle containing a list of the dead and their position.

12:30 Mounted men remaining with General Kitchener's Division appeared in sight. Mounted Infantry who stampeded had made their way to Driekil, where Kitchener had made camp. They reported the column had been cut up and captured. Wounded transported to hospital, a journey of 20 miles in the pouring rain. They initially (at Boschbult) waited in a Boer farm house (in the Boer lines) used as a hospital. The women were not friendly and the younger Boers tried to secure possessions (clothing etc.). Prevented by the older Burgers.

Boer forces engaged including De La Ray, De Wet, Kemp, Van Ruyl, Potgeitor, Wolmorans, Maas, De Villiers, Liebenberge and also Mr. Steyn. If they made a night attack the camp was in every way prepared to meet and repel it.

Remarks: Boers plan was to gain possession of camp by 5 p.m.

12 noon. Available ambulances and Canadian Regiment light transport left camp about noon for Kitchener's camp.

3 p.m. Column marched for the same destination. Four troopers under Lieutenant Kirkpatrick with an ambulance were sent out to search the woods to our left for wounded. Picked up a couple of dying Boers who were left in a farmhouse. 8 Miles short of camp Canadian Mounted Rifles wagons stuck fast being short of mules. Some men sent back and assisted in getting a few light wagons pulled up to the Regiment.

8 p.m. Orders received to halt for the night and standby the horses until daybreak. Regimental mess wagon built a fire and provided tea, cold meat, and hard tack. General Kitchener his staff, Colonel Cookston and his staff and all the officers of No. 1 Column were also issued rations. (Men and Horses very tired. Men carried own rations and were independent).

April 7th

Report, (from Private Brace) received by Captain Snider. Corporal Knisley with 5 men were on the right flank of Carruther's party. Cut off from troop and camp by enemy. Cautiously made their way towards Klerksdorp. Initially came in contact with several small parties of Boers whom they drove off. On April 1st (Tuesday) they ran into a party of about 50 Boers and attacked them. Corporal Knisley entrenched his party to meet the attack. His party fought from 4 p.m., 1st April until noon 2nd April, when their ammunition was expended. Corporal Knisley and Private Day were killed and remaining 4 Canadian Mounted Rifles were taken prisoners and stripped by the Boers. They arrived Klerksdorp on Friday April 4th, exhausted and very hungry as no food for several days.

April 10th

Commenced drive culminating with attack of the Boers on General Kekewick's column with Boer defeat and heavy losses.

April 14th

7.00 a.m. Convoy, all wagons dismounted men and sick horses left for Klerksdorp.

8.30 p.m. All mounted men (no guns) marched for Reitfontein.

April 15th

2.00 a.m. Arrived Reitfontein. Stood by horses waiting for dawn. Very chilly.

5.30 a.m. Column formed its driving line covering some 5 miles front. 12 Yards interval between men.

Canadian Mounted Rifles covered 3 miles with B Squadron ½ mile in rear in support. Kier's column on right. Lowe's column on left. Forming total front of 15 miles. Australians were to be driving from the right flank (didn't make it). Towards the left flank Kekewick's column drove in. Driving line moved slowly forward pushing a few Boers ahead of it. No rime available for feeding and watering. Country covered was 37 miles including numerous very large kopjes.

6.00 p.m. Arrived Klerksdorp. Days capture total result (3 columns) – 100 Boers, F Squadron Lieut. Ryan – 9 Boers, B Squadron – 4 Boers. Lieutenant Callaghan and scouts were making a move which would have caught 26 Boers but OC of column stopped them at a critical moment and the prisoners were secured by Kier's column.

May 5th

7.30 a.m. Marched
3.30 p.m. Camped at Bultfontain

May 6th

7.00 a.m. Marched. 11.00 a.m. To 2.00 p.m. Halted Reitvlei. Left wing going forward to reconnaissance Witpoort. Column camped at Kurannafontein, 4 miles west of Witpoort. Right scouts captured two Boers with rifles and bandoleers complete, one Cape Cart, four horses and two mules.


May 7th

All columns into driving line. Two wings of Canadian Mounted Rifles covering front of three miles and forming its own support and reserves. Small parties of Boers seen but no opposition. Arrived Doornpan and made entrenched camp (Welcome supply of potatoes on a farm).

May 8th

7.30 a.m. Continued drive lines as of 7th May.

4,00 p.m. Made an entrenched camp at Graspan – good water. Lieutenant Carruthers and Hiam admitted to hospital.

May 9th

Marched at 7.30 a.m. Outspanned at noon at Harts River (river almost dry). Elmsley 1 – ½ Squadron patrolled river south rejoining column shortly after column resumed march.

Remarks: Elmsley patrol unable to water horses as river was dry in the southerly direction.

2.00 p.m. Column resumed march. De Beers and Van Zuylis commandos reported in front.

4.30 p.m. Into camp and entrenched. Regimental Scouts under Callaghan captured 300 sheep and one prisoner. No water for horses or men. Horses in bad way (hot day).

May 10th

7.30 a.m. Marched. Van Zuyl and De Beer's commandoes could be seen in the distance moving along the front trying to find an opening (in the line) to break through. North and South flanks of driving line had been closed in. Canadian Mounted Rifles (Cookstans) lines had been thickened (gradually) during last three days. Country very rough and very little water available. Enemy puzzled and undecided by extreme length of line but made no opposition. Camped and entrenched at Mouifontein (along fence dividing the Transvaal from the colony Bechuanaland. Found good water here, badly needed.

May 11th

Marched 7.30 am Boers seen moving up and down line looking for an opening. Columns closed in from both sides on the front, westerly side of drive formed by the block-houses along the Kimberly and Mafeking railway. Lieutenant Ryan 1 st Troop”F” Squadron sent out as an Observation Post, before column marched. Captured 150 cattle and 60 donkeys, 2 mules, 5 horses. Boer in charge abandoning them on being attacked by the troop. Regimental Scouts under Lieutenant Callaghan, later in the day captured 200 head of cattle, 15 horses and 16 mules.

3 p.m. Driving line concentrated at Vryburg. Total drive results (some 10,000 troops engaged). Killed – 1, Prisoners - 354, Rifles - 262, Horses – 326, Mules – 95, Donkeys – 60, Wagons – 175, Cape Carts – 61, Cattle – 3,500, Sheep – 13,000, Sammo – 6,340, Trekonen – 105.


Remarks –
June 4th to 13th

Lieutenant Ryan 25 NCO's and men formed part of personal escort to Major General W. Kitchener, Commissioner Western Transvaal for receiving the surrender and arms of the Burgers.

9.30 a.m. Lieutenant Ryan reported to Head Quarters near Klerksdorp.

10.00a.m. General Kitchener and escort moved northward across the veldt. Trekked and camped for night at Palmeitfontein. Corporal McDonald with one wagon from 10 th Canadian Field Hospital was attached to troops.

5th Marched to Ventersdorp.

6th Marched north to Ventersdorp ( 38 Miles )

7th 7.00 a.m. Marched 4 miles. Party met by General De La Ray and Secretary (Fenner). Proceeded to Dorncomb where commandos of De La Ray and Kemp ( 1,114 men). Party rode towards spot where commandoes could be seen gathered upon a small rise of land, rifles stacked, awaiting the time of surrender. British party halted. General Kitchener dismounted, in company with De La Ray and Mr.Fenner. Where a large stone lay. Mounted stone and read terms of surrender. Conclusion Burgers gave three cheers for His Majesty the King. General then gave a lunch. Boer and British did ample justice. Staff officers and officers of escort plus Boer officers.

Surrender – officers in pairs registering pairs of Burgers. Lieutenant Ryan and Captain Burgess detailed to the Johannesburg Commando including remnants of StaatsArtillery and the ZARPs. Total (635), 1 officer and 6 men and 2 helios De La Ray's signal corps. 1/2of Boers dressed in homemade leathers. Half of the rifles were Lee Enfields captured from “our forces”. Ammo when counted totaled 12 rounds per rifle. Ryan asked General Kemp how many men were in the force that attacked Cookson's Column at Brakspruit (Boschbult). He replied 2,400. He would say nothing of Boer losses.

4.00 p.m. Work completed in connection with surrender. Moved westerly direction to Murrick's (7 miles) and camped.

8th Uneventful. Party halted at noon at Druffontein. Advanced to Weiglebroomspruit and camped.

9th 7.30 a.m. Kitchener escorted by Lieutenant Ryan and Troop of Canadian Mounted Rifles on road to Waterkloof. Boers 800 laagered in another depression (similar to Dorncomb) with wagons, women, children, horses and oxen. Kitchener rode in to find the Burgers all armed and in a turbulent mood. De La Ray went at once to ascertain the cause of trouble, and returned to Kitchener. Boers wanted time to have some points of surrender. Accordingly, Canadian Mounted Rifles retired. Waited 2 hours, De La Ray returned. We could now come in to the Laager. Did so and surrender commenced, ( not good grace on part of the Burgers.)

Remarks: Burgers angrily threw down their arms. Sometimes actually breaking them on the head of rifles accumulated.

General Celliers was Boer Commander. Far rougher than De La Ray or Kemp's Burgers. Field Coronets, at surrender, were allowed to keep their arms. Discovered they had one field gun not accounted for and they would not be allowed to return until it was brought in. Weapon was promptly found and brought in. General Burghers moved to Lichtenburg and camped in Town Square.

Ride from Waterkloof to Lichtenburg General Kitchener fired his rifle at a Springbok. A loud report occurred and the weapon fell to the ground. Bolt of weapon had blown and passed through the General's helmet.

11th Left Lichtenburg in the morning. Marched to Rooijontjestfontein. Reached about noon. Afternoon trekked Nitschot. Stayed for the night.

12th Party advanced to Goedgedacht (miserable cold and raw day) 500 Boers to surrender. Boer Hospital 2 Doctors and 6 Nurses. Most Boers had on British cavalry cloaks to protect from weather. Surrender completed, rations issued, 6 men from each mounted unit placed under Lieutenant Ryan's command and ordered to accompany Kitchener to Rietvlei (25 miles) Destination reached in 3 hours after a very fast ride. Troop had taken a short cut.

13 th Morning marched for Klerksdorp arriving about noon.

23rd May to 16th January Regiment lay at Klerksdorp

January 16th Ordered to march to Krugersdorp. 110 Miles, 3 Days

21st Orders to march to Elandsfontein.

22nd Marched to Elandsfontein

23rd Orders to en train at once for Durban en route to Canada

24th Regiment an 10 th Canadian Field Hospital entrained for Durban

27th Arrived Durban and embarked and sailed on S.S. Winifredon. Paymaster and Pay Officials did not reach Durban in time, so Evans drew sufficient cash at Durban to pay off the Regiment.

Remarks: 93 NCO's and men took their discharge in South Africa

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