South African War, 1899-1902
1902, May. The undermentioned N.C.O.'s and men were selected to represent
the Regiment at the Coronation of H.M. the King:—T.-S.-M. A. B. Vanderplank,
Sergeants H. J. Harkness, R. Carbis, J. K. Murray, T. McCathie, R. W. Smith,
Corporals W. E. Antel, R. C. Boyd, M. Madsen, J. Watson, Trumpeter H. A.
Craig, Troopers G. E. Bennett, E. M. G. Bowes, S. Daly, A. E. Grant, J. W.
Horsley, J. Lawrence and H. P. Walsh.
1903. Hermansberg Road Encampment, 9th to 18th April.
On Wednesday His Excellency Sir Henry McCallum was escorted by a guard of
honour of the Carbineers to the parade ground, where there was a march past.
After luncheon His Excellency presented a large number of .war medals to men
of the Border Mounted Rifles and the Umvoti Mounted Rifles. At the
conclusion of the presentation the Governor expressed the pleasure he felt
at being called on to distribute these marks of well-earned distinction. He
would not, in these days of peace and conciliation, refer to the past. He
hoped that the volunteer forces would be largely extended. He felt that it
was the duty of colonists living in town or country, and surrounded by a
large coloured population, to put themselves in a state of efficiency so as
to be able to meet any emergency that might arise. He would go even further
and say that he would like to see every woman in the country taught to
shoot. He urged his hearers to get rid of everything parochial and aim at
building up and advancing the British Empire.
On Sunday, 9th August, in the Alexandra Park, Pietermaritzburg, the
Governor, Sir Henry McCallum, distributed medals to the officers,
non-commissioned officers, and men of the Natal Carbineers and the Natal
Royal Regiment who served during the late war. His Excellency, in addressing
the troops, said he felt bound to congratulate all ranks on the admirable
way in which they had behaved in the late campaign, and remarked that they
had more than upheld the reputation of the Colony. Officers and men alike
had borne their privations in a spirit worthy of the traditions of the
Empire. When the war-cloud had settled on Natal, and they were called to
protect their homes from the invader, they responded right well. The
Carbineers, whose contribution to the defence force was about 550 men, had
borne the brunt of the fighting. In Ladysmith they had made a name for
themselves. The exploit of blowing up the Boer Long Tom on Gun Hill was one
that deserved special praise, and any regiment would be proud to have the
fact registered in their laurels. The Estcourt Squadron of the Carbineers
had fought along with General Buller from Willow Grange till they had joined
hands with their beleaguered comrades, and had gained praise of the highest
order from General Buller, while the services of the Carbineers in Ladysmith
had gained unstinted praise by such soldiers as Lord Roberts and Generals
White and Hunter for their behaviour at such trying times as Rietfontein,
Lombard's Kop, Waggon Hill, Gun Hill, etc. From Botha's Pass to Volksrust
they had operated, when, the invaders being cleared out of Natal, they were
sent to Zululand and again saw service at Buffalo River and Vryheid. Colonel
Greene had led them from start to finish, and he (His Excellency) had
mentioned him in despatches for the excellent work he had done, but up to
now nothing further had been heard. In his opinion, Colonel Greene had led
them in a thoroughly efficient manner, and no word of praise could be high
enough for him.
He was sorry such excellent services as his had not been better recognised.
As for Colonel McKenzie, his deeds were too well known. It gave him much
pleasure to inform his audience that the distinguished conduct medal had
been awarded to three of the Boer contingent, lately our enemies and now our
fellow-subjects, just returned from Somaliland; and with the words, "The
Temple of Janus is closed," he brought to an end his admirable and, in some
parts of it, touching address. The following were the officers of the Natal
Carbineers to receive the South African medal: —Lieutenants-Colonel Greene,
McKenzie, Macfarlane, Addison, and Weighton; Majors Shepstone and G. F.
Tatham; Captains Foxon, Hair, Crompton, Rodwell, Comrie, Mackay, Gage,
Townsend, Nourse and Captain and Quarter-Master Lyle; Lieutenants Gallwey,
Smallie, Woods, Cockburn, Barter, Montgomery, Vanderplank, Holmes, Lindsay,
Martin, Sparks, Bartholomew, Richards and Verney.
