TOPIC:

What a wonderful group to Bell, thanks for sharing, and thanks for the information on the composition of the Battery mule train which helps to understand how the guns become lost / useless as a consequence of the stampede.

Like Bell, I have seen 10 MB QSA's with more than the DoL and Transvaal Clasps and wonder why Cousins, who remained with the Bty throughout the war, did not qualify for more?

Owen

A picture paints, so thought this one would add some flesh on the bones of the Mountain Battery mule train described above.

‘British Battles.com’ website article “Battle of Ladysmith”: image of men and mules of a Royal Garrison Artillery’s Mountain Battery in South Africa, during the Second Anglo-Boer war, circa 1899, the mules loaded with the parts of the British 10 pounder jointed RBL mountain gun, or ‘Screw Gun’, used by the 10th Mountain Battery. Also, an image of the gun and a map situating Nicholson’s Nek. Mountain Battery Mule Train accessed 5 July 2023.

Owen

Here's one I have to 15506 Gnr. S. Pyett, 10th Mountain Battery, taken prisoner at Nicholson's Nek 30/10/1899.



Sidney Pyett enlisted at London 28 May 1896 aged 18 years 9 months. Born Stepney, London. Occupation carman. Religion C of E. Posted to 13th Battery RFA 13 June 1896. Transferred to 4th Mountain Battery RGA 19 August 1897. In 1897 he had one entry in the defaulter book for slackness on sentry. Posted to 10th Mountain Battery RGA 12 February 1898. A court of enquiry at Pietermaritzburg 3 October 1898 considered the circumstances of an injury to Pyett. He was gun laying near Modderspruit when something went wrong with the elevating gear the little finger of his left hand jammed between the elevating gear and the breech of the gun. It was concluded that the injury occurred when he was on duty at drill through no fault of his own and would not affect his future efficiency as a soldier. All of his hospital stoppages were remitted. Developed optic neuritis following exposure on duty in South Africa. A medical report dated 20 May 1902 from Charlestown Hospital, Natal stated that he claimed the sight in his right eye began to fail about 26 February 1902. The cause was attributed to exposure, cold and damp. His condition was considered probably not permanent with a likely duration of six months. His degree of disability was assessed at 25% for the following six months. Posted to Depot 23 May 1902 and repatriated to England per HMS Nubia the same day. Admitted to Netley Hospital on his return from South Africa 16 June 1902. A medical report dated 25 July 1902 from Netley stated that the vison in his right eye was restricted to the perception and projection of light only. His condition was considered permanent and would prevent him earning a livelihood by 50%. Discharged medically unfit for further service at Netley 12 August 1902. Character very good. Address 260 Wilmot Street Buildings, Bethnal Green. He wrote to the Royal Hospital, Chelsea 22 April 1909, apparently requesting a commutation of part of his pension, to assist his emigration to New Zealand. He claimed to have a letter of introduction to F.J. White, a farmer in Canterbury, New Zealand. He was permitted to commute 3d of his 1/3d per day pension in June 1909. He wrote again from Randwick, New South Wales 19 March 1917 requesting an increase in his pension, stating that he had gone to New Zealand to buy some land and start farming but found the climate too cold and damp and had moved to Australia. He claimed he was then totally blind in his right eye and his hearing was also bad. He felt a special pair of spectacles would help his left eye but could not afford to go to an eye specialist. The total loss of vision in his right eye was considered to have constituted a degree of disability of 50% and in May 1918 his pension was increased to 13/9d per week less the 1/9d per week already commuted. His pension was further increased in September 1921 to 20/- per week less the 1/9d commuted. He claimed that his right eye was surgically removed 23 October 1925 and he wrote again 21 November 1925 requesting an increase in his pension. This was denied as there was no additional disability resulting from this procedure. He wrote 11 January 1927 requesting a further commutation of his pension to enable him to purchase a ham and beef business for which the owner was asking £300. This request appears to have been rejected as he wrote 14 July 1928 requesting a partial commutation with a view to purchasing a cottage in Lakemba, NSW which would be nearer to his place of work. Died in Australia 4 September 1949. Also entitled to a KSA with two clasps.

Crikey, poor fella - he went through the wars twice and I think the medical war he went through post release was by far the toughest. Thanks for sharing another 10 MB story.

Owen

Here are a couple of pictures showing how the Nicholson's Nek fiasco was viewed on the Continent.

The first is a watercolour by French artist Ernest Griset (1844-1907), with the title "The Ambuscade, Nicholson's Nek". Signed and dated "Ernest Griset / 99", lower right corner. One of a pair, the second with the title "The Last Stand, Nicholson's Nek".

The postcard is by Arthur Thiele (published by Künzli Frères, éditeurs, Paris), and has the title "Les ânes effarouchés" [The spooked mules].








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And a French plate.
No. 11 from a set of twelve titled "AU TRANSVAAL / Histoire d'une Mule". This example captioned: "Aussi, à la première affaire sérieuse, nous avons filé comme des lapins...."




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