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1st Battalion
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The 1st Battalion sailed on the Greek about 14th November 1899, and
arrived at the Cape about 2nd December.
As soon as Nicholson's Nek had opened the eyes of Britain the War Office
set about sending more than the Army Corps, which all had thought would be
sufficient, and among the first three extra battalions ordered out were the
1st Essex. On arrival they were sent to the Naauwpoort - Colesberg district
to assist General French in stemming the Boer invasion, and they remained
with him until taken to Modder River. To the Essex, as well as to the 1st Yorks and 1st Welsh, their future brigade companions, the few weeks spent
under General French were of inestimable value. Officers and men had an
opportunity of learning practical warfare under a leader unsurpassed for
caution and delicate skill in handling troops. His scheme, a sort of
aggressive defence, gave every one a chance of seeing how things could best
be done, and when the time for thoroughly pressing home an attack did come
no regiments knew better how to do it than the three just named, justifying
the choice made by Lord Roberts when he selected them for the 18th Brigade
and a place in the Vlth Division under Lieutenant General Kelly-Kenny.
To the commander of the Essex, Colonel T E Stephenson, came the honour of
the command of the 18th Brigade, and it would be difficult to point to a
leader who has carried out his task with more unvarying success. From the
time when General French commended him in his despatch of 2nd February 1900
to the occupation of Koomati Poort and the Barberton command, Major General
Stephenson has never been spoken of but with praise.
The work of the Vlth Division has been sketched under the
East Kent
Regiment and that of the 18th Brigade under the
1st Yorkshire Regiment.
At Paardeberg on 18th February 1900 the Essex took a prominent part,
having about 12 men killed, and 2 officers, including the colonel, and 20
men wounded.
At Driefontein, or Abraham's Kraal, on 10th March, the Essex and Welsh
took part in a splendid bayonet-charge which elicited the commendations of
Lord Roberts. The losses of the battalion were approximately 2 officers and
14 men killed, 2 officers and 70 men wounded. Seven officers and 10
non-commissioned officers and men of the battalion were mentioned in Lord
Roberts' despatch of 31st March 1900. Lieutenant F N Parsons was awarded the
VC for exceptional gallantry at Paardeberg. Unfortunately he was killed at Driefontein, when he was again displaying conspicuous gallantry. In the
advance from Bloemfontein to Pretoria and thence to Koomati Poort the
battalion had not any severe losses.
After the occupation of Koomati Poort the 18th Brigade were retained in
the Eastern Transvaal, chiefly on the railway.
On 22nd October 1900 the battalion was ordered to Frederickstad to join
General Barton, who was being hard pressed. On 25th October he attacked the
enemy and inflicted a severe defeat on them. The reinforcements did not take
part in the action. After this the battalion was sent back to the Delagoa
line.
In Lord Roberts' final despatch 14 officers and 21 non-commissioned officers
and men were mentioned.
In January 1901 the Essex, along with the Suffolks, West Yorks, and Cameron
Highlanders, formed an infantry brigade under Brigadier General Spens, and
part of a strong force under Major General Smith-Dorrien which operated
from near Wonderfontein towards Carolina. On 31st January the Essex left the
brigade for the railway. Five days afterwards Smith-Dorrien was fiercely
attacked at Bothwell. In February 1901, the enemy having become aggressive
in Cape Colony, the Essex were railed from Wonderfontein to Norval's Pont,
and soon thereafter were taken to Orange River Station and Hopetown. The
bulk of the invaders having been expelled from the colony, the battalion was
once more taken to the Eastern Transvaal, and when peace was declared they
were inhabiting the Ermelo blockhouse line.
One officer, 2 non-commissioned officers, and 1 man gained mention in
Lord Kitchener's despatches during the war, and in his final despatch he
mentioned 7 officers and 9 non-commissioned officers.
The 2nd Battalion was brought from India to South Africa in December
1901, and in his despatch of 8th January 1902, para 5, Lord Kitchener
remarks that he had placed them "at the disposal of Brigadier General E O
Hamilton for duty on the blockhouse line east of Tafel Kop" (in the
north-east corner of the Orange River Colony). During January and February
1902 great drives were taking place in that district, which made the holding
of the containing lines a most arduous and responsible task.
