|
 |
 |
|
|
|
Officers of the
2nd Battalion |
2nd Battalion |
|
|
The 2nd Battalion sailed on the Britannic about 7th January 1900,
arriving about the 27th. Along with the 2nd South Wales Borderers, 1st
East Lancashire, and 2nd North Staffordshire, they formed the 15th Brigade
under Major General A G Wavell, and part of the VIIth Division under
Lieutenant General Tucker. For the general work of the division see
notes under 2nd Norfolk Regiment.
The Cheshires had no very serious fighting on the way from Modder River
to Bloemfontein.
In the action at Karee Siding on 29th March the infantry employed was the
VIIth Division, and this
battalion was said to have done well. They had about 22 wounded.
At the Zand River the battalion was sent forward on the evening of the
9th May to seize and hold a drift. This they successfully
accomplished, and the brigade crossed early on the 10th, clearing the enemy
from strong positions north of the river.
After the occupation of Johannesburg the 15th Brigade was detailed to
garrison the town, and the Cheshire Regiment long remained in that vicinity.
Eight officers and 12 non-commissioned officers and men were mentioned in
Lord Roberts' final despatch.
On 5th December 1900 the battalion relieved the 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers as
garrison of Frederickstad. In January 1901 part of the battalion was
holding a post on the line south of Johannesburg when the enemy attacked
fiercely. The attack was very gallantly driven off.
In 1901 the battalion furnished the infantry of columns under Sir H
Rawlinson, Colonel E C Williams, Colonel Hickie, and other commanders, which
did much arduous but useful work in the South-West Transvaal. Three
officers, 1 non-commissioned officer, and 1 private were mentioned by Lord
Kitchener for good work during the later phases of the war. In the
final despatch 5 officers and 4 non-commissioned officers were mentioned.
