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Drum Horse |
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The regiment sailed on the Victorian on 14th February 1900, and arrived
at the Cape about 10th March. They joined Lord Roberts at
Bloemfontein, and were put into Gordon's, the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, along
with the 9th and 16th Lancers. For a sketch of the brigade's work see
9th Lancers.
At Diamond Hill, 11th and 12th June 1900, the 17th were heavily engaged,
and lost 2 officers, Major the Honourable L Fortescue and Lieutenant the
Honourable C Cavendish, and 4 men killed. From this time onwards their
work was quite as arduous as anything the cavalry had done on the way to
Pretoria.
Six officers and 7 non-commissioned officers and men were mentioned by Lord
Roberts in his final despatch.
In November 1900 the 17th Lancers were formed into a column under Colonel
Herbert, which, along with other columns, operated under Colonel Barker in
the south-east of the Orange River Colony, taking part in the pursuit of De
Wet when he endeavoured to get into Cape Colony in December 1900. The
regiment entered Cape Colony in December 1900, and except for two months'
operations in the Orange River Colony under Colonel Williams in April and
May 1901, the 17th Lancers remained in Cape Colony until the declaration of
peace.
In June 1901 the regiment was split up and the squadrons were attached to
different columns. These columns had endless very severe marches and
some hard fighting. One set of operations resulted in the driving of
Kritzinger, with heavy loss, across the Orange River and out of the colony
in August 1901. In this affair the 17th Lancers bore an important
share. The clearing of the mountainous districts in Cape Colony
entailed much hardship and involved great risk, as there was every
opportunity for the use of ambuscades.
On 17th September 1901 at Tarkastad a grievous misfortune overtook a
squadron under Major Sandeman. The words of Lord Kitchener's despatch
of 8th October 1901, para 11, are as follows: "On the 17th September Smuts'
commando arrived at Modderfontein, eighteen miles north-west of Tarkastad,
where the Boers made a most determined attack upon a squadron of the 17th
Lancers, under Major Sandeman, posted to close all egress to the south.
The enemy being dressed in khaki were taken for our own troops and got to
close quarters, with the advantage of ground, before the mistake was
discovered. Thus taken at a great disadvantage, our men offered a most
gallant resistance, and worthily maintained the traditions of their
regiment. The losses of the squadron were very severe, 3 officers and
20 men being killed, and 2 officers and 30 men wounded. The Boers, who
had evidently made the attack in order to elude the close pursuit to which
they were subjected, also suffered heavily before the approach of another
squadron of the 17th Lancers compelled them to break off the engagement".
The regiment remained split up until after the conclusion of peace.
One or other of the squadrons had fighting in almost every part of Cape
Colony.
Sergeant T Lawrence gained the Victoria Cross on 7th August 1900 for
keeping 12 or 14 Boers at bay while an injured comrade got to safety.
Five officers and 8 non-commissioned officers and men gained mention in
Lord Kitchener's despatches during the war, and in the final despatch 3
officers and 4 non-commissioned officers and men were mentioned.
