"Writing from Funchal a correspondent, on the Kinfauns Castle, en route for the Cape, writes: - We have on board only one survivor of Majuba days, and this is Lieutenant and Riding Master T. J. Kearns, A.S.C. Mr. Kearns, who took his commission about two years ago, is acting adjutant aboard here. He knows the men thoroughly, and is genuinely popular with all ranks. Lieutenant Kearns served in the Boer campaign of 1881, and also as a much valued non-commissioned officer in the late Ashantee campaign. He tells me that a campaign of South Africa at this season would be heavily handicapped by wet weather. The plateaux of Majuba Hill he has seen present the appearance of lakes under tropical rainfalls. His own recollections of the place are far from inspiring - a saturated encampment on the slopes of the mountain, roads wrecked, transports stopped in the deep ruts, and supplies as effectually cut off as if by a successful enemy. Nevertheless Lieutenant Kearns returns cheerfully to Majuba, or anywhere to serve under his amiable chief of the Ashantee campaign, Colonel Ward, A.S.C."
Yorkshire Telegraph and Star, Thursday 19th October 1899
