This corps was, at the beginning of the war, stationed about Mafeking.
A company, 81 strong, under Captain Cowan, formed a valuable part of the
garrison.
In the actions of 7th November and 26th December
(see Protectorate Regiment) the Rifles
took a prominent part, and their work was several times highly praised by
Colonel Baden-Powell. In his despatch Captain Cowan was mentioned.
He had his corps in such a "condition of efficiency as enabled me to employ
them in all respects as regular troops. He was at all times ready, and
zealous in the performance of any duty assigned to him".
After the relief of Mafeking the corps was
employed, not only in Bechuanaland, but also in Cape Colony and all over the
Western Transvaal. In 1901 a squadron was in Lord Methuen's column,
which did much good work in the south-west of the Transvaal (see despatches
of 8th July 1901 and other dates). They took a prominent part in many
engagements down to the close of the campaign, and frequently had a share of
the casualties. At Zandfontein, 2nd-3rd September 1901, 1 man was
killed and Lieutenant T E P More and 1 man were wounded. On 4th
October 4 men were killed near Zeerust, and on the 18th 2 men were killed at
Rhenosterfontein. Captain Cooke was severely wounded on 2nd January
1902, and the corps had casualties at Trenafontein on the 21st. The
corps gained distinction at Rhenosterfontein on 5th September 1901, and at
Kleinfontein, near Zeerust, on 24th October 1901. In each of these
engagements the enemy exhibited very great determination and boldness, and
only with difficulty were they driven off. On the latter date they
left over 40 dead on the ground.
In January, February, and March 1902 the
Bechuanaland Rifle Volunteers were generally with or under Lord Methuen.
A detachment was in the force which escorted the convoy captured near
Klerksdorp on 25th February 1902. On this occasion the Rifles had 5
killed and about the same number wounded.
It will be remembered that the Western Transvaal
had been dangerously denuded of troops while the great driving operations
were in progress in the eastern part of that country and in the Orange River
Colony, hence Lord Methuen was unable to cope with Delarey and other
leaders, strengthened as they were by commandos driven from elsewhere.
(See Cape Police.)
When the forces in the Western Transvaal had
been strengthened, the Bechuanaland Rifles took part in the last great
drives which, under the direction of General Ian Hamilton, finally broke
Delarey's power. At Rooival on 11th April there was a well-fought
engagement, when the Rifles had about 9 casualties. Thus, from the
commencement of the war to its close, Major Cowan's little body did work of
outstanding value, and all through the two years and nine months maintained
the splendid degree of efficiency which they had shown when the siege of
Mafeking commenced.
The Mentions gained by the corps were as
follows:—
COLONEL BADEN-POWELL'S DESPATCH.—Captain Cowan
(see above); Sergeant Lionel Cook, for clever and plucky scouting and
gallantry in action.
LORD ROBERTS' DESPATCH.—Captain Cowan and
Sergeant Rowlands.
LORD KITCHENER'S DESPATCHES: 8th October
1901.—Captain Cowan; Sgt-Major Watts; Sergeant Shipman; Trooper Austin
(promoted Corporal), gallantry at Rhenosterfontein, 5th September 1901;
Lance Corporal Sutherland (promoted Corporal), in same action retained two
prisoners under fire of 30 Boers.
8th November.—Sergeant Rowlands, for marked gallantry in collecting men and
carrying messages under heavy fire, Colonel Von Donop's action at
Kleinfontein, 24th October 1901 (twice previously mentioned).
8th March 1902.—Lieutenant Shipman, at Jackalsfontein, 8th February,
attacked a laager with his troop and held them till reinforcements arrived.
23rd June 1902.—Major B W Cowan;
Lieutenants T Christie, S Hall; Sergeants A W Shipman, R Galbraith, G
Gordon; Corporals B Roy and H B Wall.
