TOPIC:

hi, just thought someone might be interested to see this little collection, the medals are to Lieutenant H K Bracewell 3rd volunteer battalion the duke of wellingtons west riding regt,he was in a column that was operating from around Grootvlei at the Oceania mine, I believe he was out with part of the column, when the mine was attacked, but he must have kept the mine petty cash book as a sort of diary, in it is a detailed account of the action as this part of the column returned, and the Boers fled, in it is also an account of captured cattle, and stock and payments to scouts etc.

Hello

Yes, very interesting and thanks for showing.

I would be interested in his account of the fight as I wrote it up many years ago:

The Fight at South Rand Mine, December 26th, 1900, Eastern Transvaal
Soldiers of The Queen (Victorian Military Society) Issue 80 March 1995

using mostly Rifle Brigade sources as they provided the infantry element of the column. I have the ABW photos of Lt FW Jarvis 13th Hussars who was also present, 2 squadrons of 13th Hussars provided the cavalry.

Does Bracewell say what his role was with the column?

Regards
Meurig

Saxon,

Everything about that is excellent!

Meurig, thank you for your reply, I will be more than happy to upload one of the relevant pages tonight, and with some help, try to work out his role in the column. best regards saxon.

thank you David, I am more than happy to share things in my collection with people of the same interest, I'm afraid my wife isn't military minded. best regards saxon.

Meurig,

as promised here's an account by Bracewell, I am still trying to work out his role but I presume he was one officer that was in the part of the column that was out looking for commandos at nearby farms when the mine was attacked, and capturing livestock, because there are other accounts of boer commandoes and their strength in the area. Names of Boers that have taken up arms, and he doesn't mention he is or was in the fight but he must have been entrusted with keeping some sort of records. Also a couple more pages that might be of interest. The book is by no means easy to read in many places, and is very musty. Hope this helps.














Regards saxon.