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This is the diary of Walter Miles Airey, CIV, and covers the period from January to September 1900.
January 1900 | 4 | Thursday | Sworn in at Guildhall to the C.I.V.M.I |
12 | Friday | Served with uniform and rifles. Slept at H.Q. L.R.B. Recd. Freedom of the city. Farewell service At St Paul's. Dinner Inner Temple | |
13 | Saturday | Parade at 4.0 a.m. Marched to Line Elms. Left Southampton 6.0 pm for South Africa | |
14 | Sunday | Crossed Bay of Biscay. Rather rough. Sat on deck all day. | |
15 | Monday | Lounged on deck all day. Parade at 10 a.m. Measured for more khaki. (see below) | |
16 | Tuesday | Parade at 10.0 a.m. Physical drill. Parade at 2.30 pm. Sorted equipment. Quite like summer. Sea like the river | |
17 | Wednesday | Arrived Madeira 4.0 a.m. Landed. Saw through town. Returned to boat at 10.0 a.m. Bought fruit extraordinarily cheap | |
18 | Thursday | Passed Teneriffe (sic). Excellent view of the snow capped peak. Drills 10.30 and 2.30 | |
19 | Friday | Parade in riding breeches, bare feet and shirt sleeves 10.30 and 2.30. Morning bath on pool deck 4.30 | |
20 | Saturday | Passed Cape Verde. Watched flying fish and sharks. Parade 10.30 and 2.30 | |
21 | Sunday | Church parade 10.30. Glorious day. No other duties | |
22 | Monday | Crossed the equator. Concert in the evening. Sergt. (sic) Gibbons seriously ill. Parade 6.30, 9.30. 3.30 | |
23 | Tuesday | Sports in the afternoon. Parade 6.30, 9.30. Sergt. Gibbons died. Myself inoculated for enteric in the evening | |
24 | Wednesday | Burial Sergt. Gibbons. Military honours. Frightfully stiff I can scarcely move about & very feverish. No duties | |
25 | Thursday | Feeling somewhat better though still like an old man. Continuation of sports and concert. Distribution of prizes. No duties | |
26 | Friday | Right well again. Mess orderly. Manchester Port signaled relief of Ladysmith. Lieut. Wilson stood Pheasant supper | |
27 | Saturday | Wavell Competition. Scottish 1st and 4th. Smoking concert. Mess orderly | |
28 | Sunday | Mess orderly. Church parade | |
29 | Monday | Arrived Cape Town. Great reception. Delegation from Caledonian Society to meet us. | |
30 | Tuesday | Landed Cape Town. Pitched camp Greenpoint common | |
31 | Wednesday | Fitted saddlery. 150 sets. Reviewed in afternoon by Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener | |
February | 1 | Thursday | Caught horses, bridled and put them in the kraal. 5.50 a.m to 8.30 pm picketed do. |
2 | Friday | 6.0 a.m brought horses into our own lines, ride in afternoon. Stables 5.30 | |
3 | Saturday | Trial of horses. First full mounted parade. Stables 5.30. Lord Roberts inspected Comp in evening | |
4 | Sunday | Watered horses. Another detachment of C.I.V arrived | |
5 | Monday | Usual parade | |
6 | Tuesday | Do | |
7 | Wednesday | Half day off. Parade in afternoon full marching order. Dinner and midday with W. McBean | |
8 | Thursday | Reveille 4.30 a.m. Prepared for our departure to the front, packed kits. Dinner with Mr. Seaman. Inspected by Sir A Milner | |
9 | Friday | Left Cape Town for Orange River 4.30. Tea and fruit given by loyalists at Lady Grey | |
10 | Saturday | Had breakfast at Matjiesfontein, dinner Prince Alberts Rd, tea Beaufort West | |
11 | Sunday | Arrived at De Aar and went on to Orange River | |
12 | Monday | Continued journey to Enslin. Encamped Enslin for the night. | |
13 | Tuesday | Left Enslin for Ramsdan at 1.30 am. on scouting duty. Encamped here for the night | |
14 | Wednesday | Left Ramsdan for Reit River at 1.30 | |
15 | Thursday | Left Reit River for Jacobsdal. Lost 60,000 rations | |
16 | Friday | Fighting outside Jacobsdal. 4 C.I.V wounded. Jacobsdal taken. | |
17 | Saturday | Left Jacobsdal for Klip Drift without food water or blanket. | |
18 | Sunday | Arrived Klipdrift. Left again 6 pm with convoy of sick and wounded | |
19 | Monday | Arrived Jacobsdal 2 a.m. left again at 6.30 a.m. to catch up with main body in pursuit of Cronje. Cronje caught up and his force of 13,000 surrounded he is given an hour to surrender. | |
20 | Tuesday | Caught up main body. Cronje would not surrender so was bombarded firing going on till dusk. | |
21 | Wednesday | Cannonading continued at daybreak. | |
22 | Thursday | Few shells dropped occasionally to keep them on the alert. Horses taken out to graze whilst we watch the effect of the shells. Boer Convoy destroyed by fire at night. | |
23 | Friday | Truce all day. Horses taken to graze. Terrific thunderstorm at night every article soaked through. Batch of prisoners brought in. | |
24 | Saturday | Few shells dropped into Boer camp. Another thunderstorm. Soaked through again. | |
25 | Sunday | Church parade. Storm in afternoon, fine night. | |
26 | Monday | Remained in camp all day. Moved out in the evening to surround Cronje. 200 dead bodies raked out of the Modder just here. | |
27 | Tuesday | Cronje surrendered unconditionally. Cronje and prisoners escorted to Modder River. | |
28 | Wednesday | Grazed horses | |
March | 1 | Thursday | Left Paardeberg Camp to one 2 mile E of Boer Position. Terrific storm. Outpost on the shells all night. Very cold work, Camp Osfontien Poplar Grove. |
2 | Friday | Botha in command of Boers 2 miles from here. Grazed horses in the morning. | |
3 | Saturday | Grazed horses and scouting | |
4 | Sunday | Church Parade in the a.m. Clergyman did not arrive. Worst thunderstorm so far at night. | |
5 | Monday | Grazed horses. Sentry duty on kopje at night. No excitement. | |
6 | Tuesday | Sentry over water spring all day. Turned out to false alarm at 10.30 pm remained out all night. | |
7 | Wednesday | Started out at 3.0 a.m after the Boers. Naval guns gave them a hot time. Was under fire for a short time. Camped at 7 pm. Hard days work. Acting scout for the advance. Camped Poplar grove. | |
8 | Thursday | Grazed horses a.m. Sentry on kopje all night. Bathe in the Modder in the afternoon. | |
9 | Friday | Trial of rifles in the a.m. Bathing parade in the Modder in the afternoon. | |
10 | Saturday | Started in pursuit of Boers 5.0 a.m. Boers surprised 500 killed our losses 400 k & w. Boer losses very heavy in wounded. | |
11 | Sunday | Sunday continued march at 5.0 a.m. Sentry on kopje all night. | |
12 | Monday | Continued march, escorted siege guns and naval guns arrived in camp 3.0 a.m. (13th) | |
13 | Tuesday | Continued march on Bloemfontein. Left at 12.0 a.m. Arrived camp at …. | |
14 | Wednesday | 5.30 a.m. at Brands Kopje 3 ½ miles form Bloemfontein. Boers retreated without opposition | |
15 | Thursday | Foraging on evacuated farms. Shot a buck & secretary bird. | |
16 | Friday | Grazed horses a.m. Went into Bloemfontein the afternoon | |
17 | Saturday | Grazed horses in a.m. Smoking concert in the evening. Visitors from all regiments in the district. | |
18 | Sunday | Church parade in a.m. by Colonel | |
19 | Monday | Dismounted drill and grazed horses in a.m. Walked into Bloemfontein in the afternoon, soaked through in a storm, lost way back to camp. Caught again in a storm at night. | |
20 | Tuesday | Mounted drill and grazed horses in a.m. Do (ditto) afternoon. Washed underclothes first time since leaving Cape Town. | |
21 | Wednesday | Mounted parade in a.m. Bathing parade in afternoon | |
22 | Thursday | Mounted parade in a.m. grazed afterwards. Parade of all ranks. | |
23 | Friday | Heavy rains all day and night. No parades. | |
24 | Saturday | Rains continued. On night guard duties | |
25 | Sunday | Church parade by Colonel. On duty all day | |
26 | Monday | Mounted parade in a.m grazing of horses in afternoon. Concert given by 8th M.I. in the evening. Very good | |
27 | Tuesday | Mounted parade in a.m. grazing in afternoon. Sentry on Kopje at night | |
28 | Wednesday | Left kopje at 5.30. a.m. 2 mile tramp to camp. Orders to saddle up and march off at 7.15 a.m. Marched all day, camped at 10 pm. Very hot day | |
29 | Thursday | Continued march at 4.45 a.m. under fire all day. Boers driven from their position. Camped for the night in the plain, Karree | |
30 | Friday | No rations until night, found transport and camped 4 miles off | |
31 | Saturday | Bathed in the morning. Moved position again in the afternoon, Spytfontein. Sentry at night | |
April | 1 | Sunday | Dug trenches on top of kopje in the morning. Scrumped fruit in the afternoon. Sentry at night |
2 | Monday | Sent back to Karree to bring back remounts. Away all day. Australians on similar job. Narrow escape on sentry at night. | |
3 | Tuesday | Saddled up at 5.0 a.m. Full marching order. Piquet at night. Built entrenchments all day. Piquet at night | |
4 | Wednesday | Continued entrenchments. Support at night | |
5 | Thursday | Built fresh entrenchments during the a.m. Moved camp in the afternoon about 1 mile. Patrol at night; returned to camp at …. | |
6 | Friday | 3.0 a.m.. Built more entrenchments. Piquet at night | |
7 | Saturday | Moved camp 4 miles further north. Cossack post at night. 2 Boers captured. | |
8 | Sunday | Divine service by Adjutant (?) | |
9 | Monday | Grazing during day | |
10 | Tuesday | Brigadiers orderly | |
11 | Wednesday | Brigadiers orderly | |
12 | Thursday | Brigadiers orderly | |
13 | Friday | Brigadiers orderly. High tea with engineers | |
14 | Saturday | Orderly. Boers made a feint attack & were driven back, Horse knocked up | |
15 | Sunday | Church parade in a.m. | |
16 | Monday | C.I.V sports day in afternoon. No duties all day. (orderly in a.m. only). Heavy storm at tea time. Cleared up in an hour. Concert afterwards. Received cake etc from home | |
17 | Tuesday | Rain continued all day. Piquet at night | |
18 | Wednesday | Still raining. Cleared up in the evening, fine at night | |
19 | Thursday | Piquet | |
20 | Friday | No duties | |
21 | Saturday | Saw Davis in 2nd M.I. | |
22 | Sunday | Davis came to tea. Night guard | |
23 | Monday | Tents arrived | |
24 | Tuesday | Usual camp duties and fatigues | |
26 | Thursday | Piquet | |
27 | Friday | Piquet | |
28 | Saturday | Piquet | |
29 | Sunday | Piquet | |
30 | Monday | Skirmish at Karree Kloof. Enemy in great force. 63 casualties. Piquet at night | |
May | 1 | Tuesday | Piquet at night |
2 | Wednesday | Packed kits ready to move off. Received new Argentine horses at night. (No good) | |
3 | Thursday | Moved off 5.30 a.m. Big fight Mil Sec (?) drew the fire & Sergt Kingsford and Pte Holland were killed by shell fire. | |
4 | Friday | Sergt Kingsford's body brought in & burial. No Duties | |
5 | Saturday | Marched on at 5.15 a.m. 25 miles march, heavy days work, scouting etc. | |
6 | Sunday | Continued march 6.0 a.m. Camped at 5.30 pm. 12 mile march. | |
7 | Monday | Marched on at 7.30 a.m.. Camped at 5.30 pm near Winburg Kop. Chicken and jam for tea. | |
8 | Tuesday | Division halted for days rest. Horses very poor condition | |
9 | Wednesday | March off 5.30. marched 25 miles | |
10 | Thursday | In action at Zand River. Slept in enemy's evacuated postion | |
11 | Friday | Reveille 4.0 marched 5.30. 20 miles | |
12 | Saturday | Reveille 4.0 marched 5.30. 10 miles. Kroonstad taken. Camped 3 miles S.E. | |
13 | Sunday | Rested | |
14 | Monday | Resting, grazing. Concert in evening | |
15 | Tuesday | Visited C.I.V infantry camp. Concert in evening | |
16 | Wednesday | Watering and grazing | |
17 | Thursday | Washing day | |
18 | Friday | Watering and grazing. Piquet | |
19 | Saturday | Watering and grazing | |
20 | Sunday | Church parade | |
21 | Monday | Re-commenced march. Camped 2 miles N.E. of Kroonstad. Got a new Basuto pony (grand 'un) | |
22 | Tuesday | Continued march. About 17 miles. Piquet at night | |
23 | Wednesday | Marched 13 miles. Camped at Ann Holme | |
24 | Thursday | Marched 17 miles. Piquet at night | |
25 | Friday | Marched about 16 miles camped 16 miles south of Vaal. Sent into hospital sick with fever | |
26 | Saturday | Started on return to Bloemfontein by bullock wagon. Blankets frozen at night | |
27 | Sunday | Changed from bullock wagon to train. Continued journey in open trucks | |
28 | Monday | Arrived Bloemfontein hospital. Diet 4 pint milk per day | |
29 | Tuesday | Ditto | |
30 | Wednesday | Ditto | |
31 | Thursday | 4 pints milk per day | |
June | 1 | Friday | Ditto |
2 | Saturday | Ditto | |
3 | Sunday | Ditto | |
4 | Monday | 4 pints milk. 4 ozs arrowroot | |
5 | Tuesday | Ditto | |
6 | Wednesday | Ditto | |
7 | Thursday | Rations without meat | |
8 | Friday | Ditto | |
9 | Saturday | Full rations | |
11 | Monday | Moved to convalescent camp other side of Bloemfontein | |
12 | Tuesday | Met Stuart about 6.0 a.m. | |
14 | Thursday | Convalescent camp | |
18 | Monday | Convalescent camp | |
19 | Tuesday | Went to town | |
20 | Wednesday | C.C | |
21 | Thursday | C.C | |
22 | Friday | C.C | |
23 | Saturday | C.C | |
24 | Sunday | Church parade | |
25 | Monday | Convalescent camp | |
27 | Wednesday | Ditto | |
28 | Thursday | Went to town | |
29 | Friday | C.C | |
30 | Saturday | C.C | |
July | 1 | Sunday | Church parade |
2 | Monday | Went to town | |
3 | Tuesday | Convalescent camp | |
4 | Wednesday | Ditto | |
5 | Thursday | Convalescent camp | |
6 | Friday | Medical Inspection | |
7 | Saturday | Convalescent camp | |
8 | Sunday | Church parade | |
14 | Saturday | Left convalescent Camp for Noovals Port arrived at night | |
15 | Sunday | Med inspection and church parade | |
17 | Tuesday | Marched to Orange R. bridge and back to dinner | |
22 | Sunday | Church parade | |
27 | Friday | Left Norvals Port 5.0 pm bound south. Supper at ……..port (?) | |
28 | Saturday | Breakfast at De Aar. Dinner Victoria West. Supper Beaufort West. | |
29 | Sunday | Breakfast Prince Albert Rd. Dinner Worcester. Tea Wellington | |
30 | Monday | Arrived at Wynberg 6.0 a.m. Transferred to No 13 General hospital 11B Hut | |
31 | Tuesday | Went into the woods gathered silver leaves etc | |
August | 2 | Thursday | Went to Cape Town |
4 | Saturday | Cape Town | |
6 | Monday | Cape Town | |
10 | Friday | Cape Town | |
14 | Tuesday | Cape Town | |
18 | Saturday | Cape Town | |
21 | Tuesday | Left Cape Town . Embarked on SS Assegai | |
22 | Wednesday | Sailed from Cape Town. Ships run till 12.0 a.m. 62 miles | |
23 | Thursday | Ship run 318 m | |
24 | Friday | 341 | |
25 | Saturday | 343 | |
26 | Sunday | 349 | |
27 | Monday | 348 | |
28 | Tuesday | 345 | |
29 | Wednesday | 335 | |
30 | Thursday | 343 | |
31 | Friday | 345 | |
September | 1 | Saturday | 305 |
2 | Sunday | 335 | |
3 | Monday | 330 | |
4 | Tuesday | Arrived Las Palmas 317 miles | |
5 | Wednesday | 101 miles | |
6 | Thursday | 321 miles | |
7 | Friday | 326 m | |
8 | Saturday | 322 m | |
9 | Sunday | 333 m |