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Departure of the
2nd contingent |
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On 7th November 1899 the Dominion offered a second contingent, but the
War Office did not accept this offer until after the defeats of
Magersfontein and Colenso. Preparations, however, had been going on,
and when the acceptance arrived, the Canadian Government announced that its
second contribution would be two battalions of Mounted Rifles, 2 squadrons
each, and three batteries field artillery, 6 guns each. The 1st
Battalion MR was mainly officered from the permanent cavalry, and the second
from the North-West Mounted Police. Of the artillery the officers, to
the extent of a half, came from the permanent artillery. These troops
sailed in three different vessels, and arrived at South Africa in February
and March 1900.
Early in March the 2nd MR and 'D' and 'E' Batteries became a portion of
the Carnarvon Field Force under Sir C Parsons which undertook an expedition
into the Carnarvon-Douglas district, where rebels were giving much trouble.
This service did not involve severe fighting, but the force covered 700
miles under conditions more severe than any subsequently met with. The
rebellion was for the time put down and the force came into De Aar in April,
and the same month the two battalions of MR were ordered to Bloemfontein,
where they joined the main army and formed part of Major General Button's
force of Colonial Mounted Infantry, which, under the direction of General
French, swung out far on the left in the advance to Pretoria. Before
that advance commenced the 1st Canadian MR had been engaged on 22nd, 23rd,
and 24th April 1900 at Leeuwkop, south-east of Bloemfontein, and were said
to have done well. The 2nd Battalion got back to De Aar on 14th April,
and reached Bloemfontein on the 29th, just in time to take part in the
advance to Pretoria.
In Lord Roberts' despatch of 21st May 1900 an account is given of the
operations between his leaving Bloemfontein, 3rd May, and taking Kroonstad,
12th May. At para 15, referring to the crossing of the Vet River,
which was held by the enemy in force, his lordship says: "Just before dark
the mounted infantry executed a turning movement, crossing the river six
miles west of the railway bridge, which, like other bridges over the river
along our line of advance, had been previously destroyed by the enemy.
In this affair the Canadian, New South Wales, and New Zealand Mounted
Infantry, and the Queensland Mounted Rifles, vied with each other in their
efforts to close with the enemy. We captured one maxim gun and
twenty-six prisoners, our losses being slight". In these operations
two companies of the Canadian MR under Lieutenants Borden and Turner crossed
the river at a part where there was no ford, and established themselves on
the north bank. The New South Wales men, supported by New Zealanders
and Queenslanders, seized and crossed the main drift, and drove back the
Boer rear-guard by a vigorous attack. After dark Captain Macdonald and
one squadron CMR rode through the Boer outpost lines and cut a telegraph
wire to the north.
The crossing of the Zand was also opposed, and Hutton's 1st Mounted
Infantry Brigade again had hard riding to do a wide turning movement.
In his telegram of 18th May Lord Roberts said: "Hutton's Mounted Infantry
yesterday surprised and captured, about 30 miles north-west of Kroonstad,
Commandant Botha and 23 Boers. No casualties on our side". There
were other frequent references to the very fine work of Major - General
Hutton and his Colonial Mounted Infantry.
The Vaal was crossed with little opposition, but the enemy took up a
series of very strong positions to oppose the left flank of the British.
French and Hutton had hard fighting 26th to 30th May, and the infantry had
to be called upon to clear the kopjes at Doornkop. The Canadian MR had
slight casualties on various occasions between 27th and 30th May.
After Pretoria was occupied Hutton's men were chiefly posted north and east
of the capital and frequently had fighting. They were heavily engaged
on the British left at Diamond Hill, 11th and 12th June.
The casualty list showed that Captain A C Macdonald and 3 men of the 2nd CMR
were wounded.
On 18th June Lieutenant Young of the 1st Battalion MR, with 12 Canadians
and 3 Rimington's Guides, was sent out to reconnoitre. The small party
took 40 prisoners, and having noticed marks of gun wheels, they boldly
followed these up. The two guns were found; some oxen were captured
and yoked to the guns, and although fired upon, the party were successful in
returning to camp with their prisoners, the guns, and oxen. The small
detachment received great credit, and Lieutenant Young and Sergeants Purdon
and Ryan were specially mentioned by Lord Roberts. From 15th June to
15th July the 2nd CMR were employed, and saw some fighting, in the Orange
River Colony, where, with other troops, they shared the all-important task
of guarding the line, chiefly between Vereeniging and Kroonstad, at a time
when the enemy was making great efforts to hamper Lord Roberts by cutting
the communications. On 15th June Lieutenant L Blanchard died at
Kroonstad of wounds received. On the 22nd Lieutenant W M Ingles was
wounded, and 2 men killed and 3 wounded, in an attack on a post at
Honingspruit. Other posts were attacked on the same day, and at
Katabosch 2 men were killed and several wounded. The defenders of
these posts behaved with the greatest gallantry, and their conduct was
praised by Lord Roberts in a telegram to Lord Minto. On 15th July the
2nd CMR rejoined Hutton's Brigade and with him took part in the eastern
advance.
On 6th and 7th July Colonel Mahon was attacked south-east of Irene, and
Major General Hutton had to reinforce him. The enemy, about 3000
strong with six guns, fought with determination, but were driven off.
Between the 6th and 11th part of Hutton's line was "practically surrounded
and worried by enemy for six days". In these engagements the 1st CMR
had Adjutant Nelles and 6 men wounded. Within a day or two Hutton was
again attacked, and again repulsed the enemy. On this occasion
Lieutenant Young, who had so distinguished himself three weeks before, was
wounded. On the 11th Button made a "successful advance".
In Lord Roberts' telegram of 17th July he said: "Yesterday the enemy made
a determined attack on the left of Pole Carew's position and along our left
flank commanded by Hutton. The posts held by the Royal Irish Fusiliers
under Major Munn, New Zealand Mounted Infantry under Captain Vaughan, and
Canadian MR under Colonel Alderson were most gallantly defended".
Among the casualties were—"1st Canadian MR, Lieutenants B Borden and J
Burch, killed". In his telegram of the 18th Lord Roberts said, "The
two young Canadian officers mentioned in my telegram of yesterday were
killed while gallantly leading their men in a counter-attack on the enemy's
flank at a critical juncture of their assault on our position.
Lieutenant Borden, only son of the Minister of Militia of Canada, had been
twice before brought to my notice in despatches for gallant and intrepid
conduct". The news of Lieutenant Borden's death caused a widespread
feeling of sorrow in the Dominion. Both the 1st and 2nd Battalions
were with Hutton in the fighting of 16th July.
On 17th July Colonel Reeves, commanding 2nd Royal Irish Fusiliers, wrote
most highly complimenting the 1st CMR for their gallantry "in going so nobly
and fearlessly to the succour of our beleaguered detachment at Witpoort
yesterday".
On 24th July Lord Roberts' army took another step farther east, reaching
Bronkhorst Spruit. Alderson's Brigade, including the Canadians, were
far out on the right, and were in contact with the retiring enemy all day.
The pursuit was continued on the 25th, the night of which was memorable for
its wildness. So terrible was the driving rain and cold wind that very
many transport animals died. Middelburg was occupied on the 27th.
In August the advance was resumed, and the Canadian MR again had important
duties. On 5th September a detachment of 105 men of the 2nd MR was
guarding the line between Pan and Wonderfontein. They were attacked by
the enemy with two guns and a pom-pom. Before the arrival of
assistance, the party had succeeded in driving off the Boers. Major
Sanders, Lieutenant Moodie, and 2 men were wounded, and 6 men taken
prisoners. Lord Roberts, in his telegram of 5th September,
characterised the repulse of the attack as a very creditable performance.
General Hutton's Brigade having been broken up, he issued a farewell
order which was most flattering to the regulars and to all the Colonials who
had served under him. Be spoke of their "steadiness under fire,
gallantry in the field, and uniform good conduct in camp". General
Hutton also wrote to Colonel Lessard as to the fine work of the regiment,
and added: "Nothing can be more certain than the impossibility of raising
militia cavalry to the standard of regular cavalry; but it has been
demonstrated and clearly proved that, organised as mounted rifles, our
Colonies can put into the field a force of the utmost value. I
devoutly hope that this fact will be brought home, not only to every man in
the Dominion Militia Cavalry, but also to the Canadian people and Canadian
public opinion. ... It has been a constant pleasure to me to
note how excellently your regiment has profited by its opportunities, and
what real good service it has performed".
In October and November 1900 Colonel Lessard, with both battalions of the
MR and two guns 'D' Battery Canadian Artillery, were in a force operating
under Major General Smith-Dorrien from Belfast. On 2nd November the
General moved out in two columns to attack a Boer encampment near Van Wyk's
Vlei; but on account of a very severe rainstorm the attack had to be
abandoned, and on the way back to Belfast the enemy assumed the offensive
with the greatest vigour, coming up to within fifty yards of the flank and
rear-guards. The Canadians particularly distinguished themselves.
In his telegram of 5th November Lord Roberts said: "Smith-Dorrien reports
that Major Sanders and Captain Chalmers of the Canadian MR behaved with
great gallantry in the rear-guard action on November 2. The former
rode under heavy and close fire to bring in a sergeant who had lost his
horse. As the two were riding back together on Sanders' horse it was
killed. Sanders was wounded. Chalmers went to his assistance.
Sanders implored him to leave him. This Chalmers would not do, and the
gallant fellow was, I grieve to say, killed".
On 6th November at 3.30 am Smith-Dorrien again set out. About 8
o'clock fighting commenced; the enemy were driven back, but took up a very
strong position on the Komati River. "Here they made a determined
stand, and it was not till 4 pm that a wide turning movement brought the 1st
Battalion Suffolk Regiment and the Royal Canadian Dragoons (1st CMR) on the
Boers' flank, and forced them to withdraw across the river towards Carolina
... On the following day Smith-Dorrien started to march in an easterly
direction. Observing this, several hundred Boers at once galloped back
to seize their position of the previous day, but were forestalled by
Lieutenant Colonel Evans and the Royal Canadian Dragoons and a section of
the 84th Battery RFA, who, by going at full speed for two miles, succeeded
in seizing the key of the position and in holding about 300 of the enemy in
the bed of the river, while the 5-in guns did good execution among masses of
the Boers in the open. As it now became evident that the enemy had
received large reinforcements after the engagement of the previous day,
Smith-Dorrien directed Lieutenant Colonel Spens, commanding the
advance-guard, to secure the high ground near Van Wyk's Vlei, which was done
by the 5th Lancers. Colonel Lessard, with the Royal Canadian Artillery
under Lieutenant Morrison, with great gallantry covered the rear of the
force against the enemy's close attack. About 2 pm some 200 Boers
suddenly charged our rear-guard, and without dismounting fired wildly,
coming to within seventy yards of the dismounted Dragoons. Not
succeeding in this attempt on our rear-guard, the Boers then threatened us
on both flanks in large numbers. Our guns were, however, so ably
handled that they prevented them coming to close quarters and caused them to
retire. Our casualties were 2 killed and 12 wounded, including
Lieutenants Elmsley, Turner, and Cockburn, all of the Canadians. The
Boers suffered very heavy losses. Amongst the killed were Commandant H Prinsloo and General Fourie, and amongst the wounded General John Grobelaar".
In his telegram of 8th November as to this affair, Lord Roberts most highly
praised the conduct of the Canadians. Sergeant D Builder, returned as
wounded, died of his wounds within a few days.
Lieutenant H Z C Cockburn,
Lieutenant R E W Turner, and
Sergeant E Holland, all Canadians, were
each awarded the Victoria Cross. Lieutenant Cockburn, at a critical
moment, with a handful of men held off the Boers to allow the guns to get
away. To do so he had to sacrifice himself and his party, all of whom
were killed, wounded, or taken prisoners. Later in the day, when the
Boers again threatened seriously to capture the guns, Lieutenant Turner,
although twice previously wounded, dismounted and deployed his men at close
quarters, and drove off the Boers, thus saving the guns. Sergeant
Holland did splendid work with his Colt gun, and kept the Boers off the
12-pounders by its fire at close range. When he saw that the enemy
were too near to allow him to escape with the carriage, he calmly lifted the
gun off and galloped away with it under his arm.
That one small corps gained three Victoria Crosses in one engagement is a
most worthy cause for pride, and the announcement did send a thrill through
the Dominion.
On 20th November 1900 General Smith-Dorrien issued a complimentary order
on the occasion of the Royal Canadian Dragoons and CMR leaving his force.
He used these words: "He can merely say he would choose no other mounted
troops in the world if he had his choice". Brigadier General Alderson
also wrote in a letter to Colonel Lessard: "The more I get to know the 1st
CMR (I must call them by the name I know them best by) the better I like
them ... We in the regular army are brought up with cut-and-dried
ideas and red tape, and I should like to say how much I appreciate the ready
way in which those of your people who have not been so brought up have
fallen in with my ways".
The regiment had marched more than 1700 miles and had fought on 44 days.
2nd Regiment
On 25th November 1901 it was announced that the Imperial Government had
accepted the offer, made by Canada, of a force of 600 mounted men.
Recruiting at once commenced, and on 14th January 1902 470 men sailed on the
Manhattan, the remainder embarking on the Victorian about the 28th, making a
contingent of six squadrons. A field hospital accompanied the
contingent. The total strength sent was nearly 900. On arrival
in South Africa the regiment, which was commanded by Colonel Evans, was
taken to the Western Transvaal, where Lord Methuen had met with serious
reverses shortly before, and they were employed under Major General Walter
Kitchener and Lieutenant General Ian Hamilton. On 31st March 1902
Major General Kitchener had sent forward two columns, those of Colonel Keir
and Colonel Cookson, with the latter of whom were the newly arrived Canadian
MR, Damant's Horse, and two squadrons of Yeomanry. At Brakspruit
Colonel Cookson, after being engaged with the enemy, decided to halt,
entrench, and close up his baggage. In his despatch of 8th April 1902
Lord Kitchener said: "At 1.20 pm the enemy opened fire with three guns and a
pom-pom, and then under cover of their artillery attempted to rush the
eastern side of the camp". After very heavy fighting the enemy
withdrew. Lord Kitchener adds: "The heaviest loss in this engagement
fell upon the Canadian Mounted Rifles, who, in this, their first fight of
importance since landing, displayed the utmost bravery and determination.
Lieutenant Bruce Carruthers of the regiment especially distinguished
himself. Being in command of a detachment of the rear-guard, when
coming into camp he remained out in a position of observation, in which he
eventually found himself isolated and surrounded by a large body of the
enemy. Rejecting all idea of surrender, however, his small patrol of
21 men fought stubbornly on to the end, no less than six of their number,
including Lieutenant Carruthers, being killed and 12 wounded. There
have been few finer instances of heroism in the whole course of the
campaign. The Boers who took part in this unsuccessful attack upon
Colonel Cookson's camp were estimated to have numbered 1800 men, and were
under the command of Generals Delarey and Kemp". In this action,
generally referred to in the despatches and elsewhere as that of Boschbult,
the Canadians lost Lieutenant Carruthers and 11 men killed, and Captain F S
M Howard and Lieutenants R H Ryan, G B Mackay, R F Markham, and A T London,
and 42 men wounded. Major wired to the Minister of Militia of Canada:
"regiment and field hospital have undergone sev. test, and have acquitted
themselves most creditably. I regret the heavy losses". Lord Roberts
telegraphed his congratulations to the Governor-General as well as to South Africa.
The regiment took part in the last great drive between the Klerksdorp
blockhouse line and the railway running from Kimberley and Vryburg to
Mafeking. In these drives many prisoners were taken.
In addition to the contingents already mentioned, it should be borne in
mind that Canada sent, in March
and April 1901, 1238 officers and men to South Africa for the South African
Constabulary (see evidence of Major General O'Grady-Haly before the War
Commission). Many of these had belonged to the Royal Canadian Regiment
of Infantry or to the first contingent of mounted men. Further, on
18th March, Mr Chamberlain having intimated that assistance to the extent of
2000 men would be accepted, Canada in response despatched, in the beginning
of May 19O2, another immense force — namely, the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th
regiments of Mounted Rifles, each 509 strong. These arrived in South
Africa just after peace was declared. Probably the fact that they were
on the sea did help towards the attainment of the desired end.
