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Officers of the
1st Battalion |
Embarkation |
NCOs |
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The 1st Battalion left Suez on 28th November 1899. On arriving in
South Africa about 14th December it was sent to assist Sir W Gatacre, who
had just suffered his reverse at Stormberg (see
2nd Northumberland
Fusiliers). Shortly after landing the battalion was sent to Sterkstroom,
and afterwards it held Bushmanshoek, and they remained in this
district until after the advance on Bloemfontein compelled the Boers in the
colony to slacken their hold, and so allowed General Gatacre to move north
to Burghersdorp and Bethulie. In this advance the enemy was seen, but
his bullets were seldom felt except at and about the crossing of the Orange
River. There seems to be no doubt that the road bridge over the river
was saved by the gallantry of Lieutenant Popham and some of the Derbyshire
Regiment. Under a heavy fire these brave men rushed on to the bridge
and cut the wires which were intended to fire the mines set for blowing up
the bridge.
When several new brigades were being born in March and April 1900, the
21st, composed of the 1st Sussex, 1st Derbyshire, 1st Camerons, and City
Imperial Volunteers, was brought into existence under Bruce Hamilton.
The work of the brigade is sketched under the 1st Sussex. The 21st
Brigade was, along with the 19th, put under General Ian Hamilton, to be a
part of the army of the right flank, and some account of their advance is
given under the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry.
In the many actions on the right flank between 3rd and 24th May 1900 the
21st Brigade and its commander did well, and the Sherwood Foresters soon
added to their reputation. While at Florida or Doornkop, fought on
29th May, after Ian Hamilton's force had become the army of the left flank,
the battalion bore a distinguished part. An account of the action is
given under the 1st Gordons, who made the assault. At Diamond Hill
this battalion did good work. The 21st Brigade was engaged in the
operations which culminated in Prinsloo's surrender, but the Derbyshire
Regiment had not such severe fighting as some other battalions, being
engaged on convoy work a good part of the time. De Wet, it will be
remembered, broke out on 16th July with 1600 men. Broadwood went in
pursuit, and finding the Foresters escorting a convoy on the Lindley road,
he snapped them up to assist in doing some trekking after the fleet and
ever-fleeing Boer. On 5th August De Wet was still practically
surrounded south of the Vaal, but on the 7th he crossed the river, broke
out, and eventually escaped.
In Lord Roberts’ final despatches of 2nd April and 4th September 1901, 16
officers and 18 non-commissioned officers and men of the battalion were
mentioned.
During the latter part of 1900 and early months of 1901 the battalion did
much marching, but it was not till 28th May 1901 that any good opportunity
for gaining distinction came. On that date Colonel Dixon was moving
about near Vlakfontein, north-west of Krugersdorp, in difficult country; his
force being,— Left, under Major Chance: 2 guns of 28th Battery, 1 pom-pom,
230 Imperial Yeomanry, one company Derbyshire Regiment. Centre: 2 guns
8th Battery, 1 howitzer, two companies King's Own Scottish Borderers, one
company Derbyshire. Right: 2 guns 8th Battery, 200 Scottish Horse, two
companies King's Own Scottish Borderers. Under cover of a grass-fire
the enemy broke the screen of the left column, driving in the Yeomanry and
seizing the two guns. Things were looking hopeless, but the infantry
rose to the occasion, and by a charge which is unsurpassed by any similar
feat in the history of the war the men of the Derbyshire Regiment recaptured
the guns, but at a terrible cost,—18 of their number being killed and about
70 wounded. Other troops assisted the Foresters, but to them belongs
the glory of a magnificent achievement.
Two officers and 6 men were mentioned by Lord Kitchener in his despatches
for gallantry at Vlakfontein. The number appears few, but where
practically every man belonging to the two companies present displayed
absolutely unsurpassable gallantry it must have been difficult to select
names. The cause of mention in the case of Colour Sergeant Henod is
worth quoting, the circumstances being so unusual. "After being taken
prisoner, exhibited great courage and coolness in removing our wounded from
bursting of our shells". This looks worthy of the coveted cross.
On 30th September 1901 the same column, now under Kekewich, was again
fiercely attacked at Moedwill in the Megaliesberg range. The words
of Lord Kitchener's despatch of 8th October may be given: "At dawn on the
following morning his camp was heavily attacked by a force of at least 1000
Boers under Generals Delarey and Kemp, who had evidently followed up our
column from the valley of the Toelani. The attack, which lasted from
4.45 am till 6.45 am, being delivered upon three sides of our camp with
great vigour and a lavish expenditure of ammunition, was quickly repulsed
after severe fighting, in which all ranks displayed great gallantry, the
conduct of the 1st Battalion Derbyshire Regiment being especially
distinguished. The enemy, foiled in their attempt to rush the
position, were compelled to fall back, and they apparently retired in a
northerly and northwesterly direction. Our losses in this action were
severe, 1 officer and 31 men being killed, and 26 officers, including
Colonel Kekewich, and 127 men wounded. To give some idea of the
severity of the fire to which the troops were subjected, it may be mentioned
that three picquets were practically annihilated, and that out of a party of
12 men of the Derbyshire Regiment which was guarding a drift, 8 men were
killed and 4 wounded. Upon Colonel Kekewich being incapacitated by
wounds the command of the column was temporarily assumed by Lieutenant
Colonel Wylly, Derbyshire Regiment". Official recognition was this
time bestowed on exceptional work. Private Bees, one of nine in the
maxim detachment, six of whom were hit, went forward to a spruit held by
Boers 500 yards away for water for wounded comrades, passing within 100
yards of rocks held by Boers. He brought back a kettle full of water,
the kettle being hit several times. Bees got the Victoria Cross.
One officer, Lieutenant Mills, who was killed, and 6 non-commissioned
officers and men were mentioned in Lord Kitchener's despatch of 8th October
1901 for deeds of magnificent heroism, almost equal to that of Private Bees.
Altogether the Derbyshire Regiment had 8 officers and 22 non-commissioned
officers and men mentioned in despatches written by Lord Kitchener for
surpassingly gallant work, and in his final or supplementary despatch he
added the names of 5 officers and 6 non-commissioned officers.
The Mounted Infantry company of the Sherwood Foresters saw a very great
deal of fighting and came up to the high standard of the 1st Battalion.
Corporal Beet gained the Victoria Cross at Wakkerstroom, in the Orange River
Colony, on 27th April 1900. An Imperial Yeoman being wounded in a
retirement, Beet remained with him, placed him in cover, bound up his
wounds, and by firing prevented the Boers approaching, so that at dark a
doctor was able to go to the wounded man's assistance.
