DE TRAFFORD, AUGUSTUS FRANCIS,
Lieutenant, served in the South African War, and was created a Companion of
the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette 27 September 1901]: ''Augustus
Francis de Trafford, Lieutenant, 3rd South Staffordshire Regiment. For
services during the recent operations in South Africa". He died in hospital
after a lingering illness on 1 June, 1904. When a memorial to Lieutenant de
Trafford was unveiled, Colonel Raitt said of him: "Here, among those who knew
him, there is no need for me to say he was a well-loved comrade. You all know
that his amiability of disposition, straightforwardness, modesty, and charm of
manner would have been sure to endear him to those around him. But we also
call him a most gallant comrade, and to show you these words also are used in
all sincerity.
I would like to
give you two instances of his conduct in action. In June and July 1900, he
was with a wing of the battalion under my command at a place called Willow
Grange, near Ficksburg, in the Orange Free State. The enemy's position was
two or three miles in front of us. The intervening ground was a plateau
running from our position up to theirs. One day we went out to cut barbed
wire from the farm fences in front that we required to strengthen our
defences. The Boers came out and shot at us, but did no harm. Apart from the
incident. I am about to relate, it was an insignificant affair. I left
Augustus de Trafford with half a company on a little kopje to our right rear,
in order to prevent the Boers working round under cover of the edge of the
plateau, to enfilade us. When we had got all the wire we needed, I rode back
to the kopje where I could get a better view, in order to see when I could
safely retire the covering parties. It appears that the Boers had tried to
get round our flank, and were under cover in some rocks at the edge of the
plateau about 300 or 400 yards away. I did not know they were there, and
those at the kopje, no doubt thinking I knew, never told me. I saw two
soldiers lying alone a short distance in front away from their section. I
asked what they were doing, and said they were to be ordered to rejoin it. I
never meant Augustus de Trafford himself to go to them. The next thing I saw
was he walking quietly up to them. The Boers opened fire on him, they had the
exact range, and the bullets were striking the ground all round. Horrified at
the result of my order, I shouted to him to run. He would not run, but walked
quietly up to them, gave them their orders, and returned. Every moment I
expected to see him drop. Well, I think a man might be brave enough, and yet
have run without even waiting to be told to do so. At this time he was a
subaltern in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, and there was some difficulty about
getting his commission in the line. I had an opportunity some time after of
relating this incident to the General, who at once interested himself in the
matter, and got his commission. I think, therefore, we may fairly say he
gained his commission by his gallantry in action. The next incident was
related to me by Major Williams, of our battalion, who was himself afterwards
killed in action, and by Major Going, who is here today. It occurred with the
Mounted Infantry near Vereeniging, in the Southern Transvaal, in July 1901.
They were being closely pressed by a very superior force of Boers; de
Trafford's section, which was out in front, was ordered to fall back to a
ridge, where the remainder of the regiment were. While they were doing so, he
saw Major Williams' horse shot. He at once rode up to him and begged him to
take his. Major Williams refused, and told him to go on after his section.
He would not, and before Major Williams could persuade him to do so his horse
also was shot. The Boers were right on to them, and they were surrounded and
captured. Major Williams reported this incident, and it gained him the
Distinguished Service Order".
DSO, QSA (3) CC
OFS Trans (Lt S Staffs Regt), KSA (2) (Lt S Staffs Regt).
Christies 1979
£580.
