This battery was equipped from the funds collected by the Lord Mayor in
December 1899, and was mainly officered and manned from the Honourable
Artillery Company. The battery was commanded by Major G McMicking.
The horses, which did admirably, were purchased by him from the London
Omnibus Companies. The battery was furnished with four 12½ pounder
quick-firing guns, manufactured by Messrs Vickers' Sons & Maxim. The
time-shells were fitted with Krupp fuses, and the guns burst shrapnel at
longer range than the ordinary field-guns. The battery arrived at the
Cape about 27th February 1900. Most of their campaigning was done
under Major General Paget, at first in the north of the Orange River Colony,
and afterwards north of Pretoria.
The battery was for a time at Bloemfontein, and got up to Kroonstad on
21st June. On 23rd June it joined a force which was to escort a convoy
to Lindley. The convoy was fiercely attacked on the 26th and 27th, but
the enemy was driven off (see 1st King's Own, Yorkshire Light Infantry).
On 3rd July, Paget's brigade, to which the battery was now attached, was
stoutly opposed between Lindley and Bethlehem. One section was with
the general on the right, and was praised by him for very good work.
One section, with two sections of the 38th Battery RFA, was near the left.
A ridge had been occupied, and these six guns placed on it. By an
indiscreet order the troops on the right and left of these guns were retired
behind the ridge. The enemy crept up unobserved, and pouring in a
deadly rifle-fire they gained possession of three of the guns of the 38th
Battery. Captain Budworth, of the CIV Battery, galloped for some
Australians who had been retired. They boldly came back and drove off
the enemy, and the three guns were recovered. On the 6th and 7th July
there was again heavy fighting outside Bethlehem. In his despatch of
10th October 1900, para 8, Lord Roberts, dealing with the capture of
Bethlehem, said, "The good service of the 38th Battery RFA and the City
Imperial Volunteers' Battery has also been brought to notice by Major
General Paget". Paget's force was ordered north after the surrender of
Prinsloo, and did much excellent work north-west and north-east of Pretoria.
The battery was with Paget when he made a forced night-march and captured
the camp of Erasmus (see 1st West Riding Regiment). The battery sailed
for home in October 1900. In Lord Roberts' despatch of 4th September
1901 6 officers and 6 non-commissioned officers and men were mentioned.
Click here for Childers' account 'In
the ranks of the CIV'.
