DRISCOLL, DANIEL PATRICK, Captain,
was born in Burma 11 May 1862, son of John Driscoll. He received
instruction at school in Burma, but at an early age turned to Service in the
Mercantile Marine. He subsequently served in the Burma Campaign, 1886-88
(Medal and clasp). Captain Driscoll served in South Africa throughout the
war, 1899-1902, first as Captain of Scouting Party, attached to the
'Colonial Division', and later as Commander of Driscoll's Scouts, and, in
1901, as Column Commander (promoted to Lieutenant Colonel). He was
mentioned in Despatches twice; received the Queen's Medal with two clasps,
and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London
Gazette, 19 April 1901]: "Daniel Patrick Driscoll, Captain, Driscoll's
Scouts. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa".
The Insignia, Warrant and Statutes were sent to the Commander-in-Chief in
South Africa, and presented there. Driscoll's Scouts are often mentioned in
the official 'History of the War in South Africa'. In Volume II (pages
315-316) we are told that the Scouts (with three officers, 53 other ranks
and 56 horses) were engaged in the defence of Wepener. On page 122 of
Volume III we read that "Sir L Bundle took the Bethlehem Road with the
following force: 4th Battalion and one company of the 11th Battalion
Imperial Yeomanry, the 2nd and 79th Batteries, Royal Field Artillery,
Driscoll's Scouts, 2nd Grenadier Guards, 2nd Scots Guards, 2nd East
Yorkshire Regiment, and, to complete the brigade, the 2nd Royal West Kent
Regiment from Boye's (17th) Brigade". On 29 May Sir L Rundle fought the
action at Biddulphs Berg. On 12 and 13 July 1900, Driscoll's Scouts were
still with Sir L Rundle, and engaged in the chase after de Wet, and (after
the escape of de Wet) in the attack on Slabbert's Nek. On the 25th Sir L
Rundle occupied Commando Nek; on the 26th, Fouriesburg, and on the 27th he
engaged the enemy at Slaap Kranz. In the middle of August 1901, Driscoll's
Scouts formed part of the garrison at Harrismith. Lieutenant Colonel
Driscoll was appointed Chief Executive Officer, Legion of Frontiersmen. He
served in the European War from 1915, in command of the 25th Battalion Royal
Fusiliers, with great distinction, and his genius of resource greatly
contributed to victory achieved against heavy odds on more than one
momentous occasion. Lieutenant Colonel Driscoll was mentioned in Despatches
four times by General Smuts; was awarded the Croix de Guerre (May 1917), and
created a CMG in 1919. Having been offered a grant of Government land in
British East Africa, Colonel Driscoll decided to accept it, and resigning
the command of the Legion of Frontiersmen, with which World-Force he had
been associated for about twelve years, he sailed for East Africa early in
December 1919. Before his departure Colonel Driscoll was the recipient of
many marks of esteem from the Legion as a whole, and also from separate
units and individuals. Entertained at a farewell banquet a few days before
his departure, Colonel Driscoll eulogized the high spirit distinguishing the
Legion of Frontiersmen as a whole, and, in particular, the wonderful pluck,
power of endurance, dash and bravery of those who had served throughout the
campaign in East Africa, and he called upon all present to stick to the
Legion as one of the finest organizations on earth.
