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QSA: CC, Tr, Witt, Sjt. Maj. Frederick Dakyn-Hockin, Border Horse

also Agent of the Field Intelligence Department and District Mounted Rifles, and later Lieutenant in Ashburner’s Light Horse.

Medal is officially impressed: “Sjt: Maj: F. D. Hockin. Border Horse.” He earned his King’s South Africa Medal, with two clasps, as an Agent with the Field Intelligence Department, which noted he saw previous service with Rimmington’s Guides. A curious remark on his medal roll notes his abuse of power during the war: “This man was accused of embezzlement and fraud. he was not tried but released by the Civil Authorities at Johannesburg. His (unconvicted) crime was that of selling cattle, belonging to the Government.” However, his service with Rimmington’s Guides cannot be traced and another roll records he was later entitled to the SA 1901 Clasp to his Q.S.A. to be issued separately, so it is not clear whether he was allowed the issue of the K.S.A.

Frederick saw varied service during the Boer War in many different units, can be found on the medal rolls with the surname “Hockin” “Hocken” “Hockess” and “Hocking”. Frederick “Fred” Dakyn-Hockin, was born in England ca. 1868. In peacetime he was a Commercial Agent. He died aged 76, on 1st May 1944 in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was the husband of Hester Dakyn-Hockin. His son Fred, born in 1894 has an entry in the South African Sporting Encyclopaedia and Who’s Who, 1949.

During the Boer War, while serving as Sergeant Major of Border Horse, he was taken as a prisoner shortly near Hammonia during an incident on 28th May 1900. Information from War Office Records 108/372, South Africa Surrenders states, “While Lt Boyes and 17 men of the Border Horse were out near Hammonia, they heard firing. They proceeded to the spot and were surrounded by about 80 Boers. They fought fought for three hours and then, their horses having been captured and their ammunition nearly expended, Sergeant-Major Bull decided to surrender. Lieut Boyes was not near Sergeant-Major Bull at the time and Lieut Boyes was still in the hands of the enemy when the Court of Inquiry was held in September 1900.” Sergeant Major Hockin was one of those who was forced to surrender and was taken as Prisoner; however, fortunately for him and his colleagues, the Boers had no interest in holding more British Prisoners, so they were released. He was noted as missing, but returned to rejoin his regiment, The Boers would of course have relieved him of his horse, rifle, and any ammunition. The official casualty list shows Hockin as Sergeant and the only Sergeant present, with Bull being officially a Corporal.

Hocking Fred Dakyn 5936 Sergeant Major Served 07 Feb 1900 to 16 Feb1901. No 6 Co. Discharged East London completion of service
Source: Nominal roll in WO127

“The Border Horse were stationed at Aliwal North in April 1900, and were reviewed there by General Brabant, under whom they were to act in the operations for the relief of Wepener. In the advanced to Wepener they were in the forefront, and several times had sharp fighting with casualties. They work was highly spoken of by those who witness it. After Wepener was relieved, the Border Horse was a component par of the Colonial Division under General Brabant, and in the advance to the Brandwater Basin the whole of the Division often had fighting. The scouting and patrol work was constant, hard, and, from the nature of the country, very dangerous, and casualties were frequent. Of the work and the losses, the Border Horse had their full share, but they had the satisfaction of helping to hem in Prinsloo and his 4,000 men. Lieut L.G. Longmore was severely wounded near Hammonia, towards the end of May, and on the same occasion three men were killed and several wounded.”

A very interesting write-up, azyeoman. Many thanks,