In the earlier stages of the war this fine force did particularly
valuable work. When war was declared their strength was 1,106 of all
ranks,—a most useful body of trained horsemen, good shots, and wily to the
last degree. The bulk of the regiment was employed on the Rhodesian
border and in the relief of Mafeking, while a detachment, 10 officers and 81
men, were in the town when the investment commenced, and formed an important
part of the garrison. When Colonel Plumer with the Rhodesian Regiment
reached Tuli, near the northern border of the Transvaal, on 11th October,
100 men of the BSA Police were already there with 3 guns and 2 .450 maxims;
another detachment being on the railway north of Gaberones under Colonel
Nicholson, the Commandant of the Police. Both these bodies took part
in endless skirmishes and had to watch a very extended front. In the
Boer attack on Plumer at Lobatsi, 14th March, Captain Mowbray and 1 man of
the Police were wounded. The work of Colonel Plumer's force generally
is dealt with under the Rhodesian Regiment, and that of the Mafeking
garrison under the Protectorate Regiment. In his evidence before the
War Commission Colonel Plumer said that it was largely due to the initiative
and energy of Colonel Nicholson that such an ample supply of stores had been
accumulated in Rhodesia before the war broke out and the southern line was
cut. He also referred to the work of the Police, and said their
shooting was better than that of any other troops he had commanded.
Thanks to the daring of a native runner, Reuter was able to send off a
telegram from Magalapye on 19th November which said: "Our third engagement
of importance, which will rank perhaps among the most gallant and brilliant
of the engagements of this war, was the defence of Cannon Kopje on Tuesday,
31st October, by the officers and men of the BSA Police under Colonel
Walford. Upon this isolated position the 96-pr and 4 field-guns were
brought to bear, and under cover of their fire the enemy made a most
determined attempt to carry the fort by storm. The BSA Police lost 2
officers, 2 NCO's, and 4 men killed, and about 6 wounded".
In Colonel Baden-Powell's despatch on the defence of Mafeking, dated 18th
May 1900, he referred at length to the action at Cannon Kopje, mentioning
the names of the killed and wounded. The officers killed were Captain
the Honourable Douglas Henry Marsham and Captain C A Kerr Pechell. The
casualties were not altogether among the Police; some of the Protectorate
Regiment were killed and wounded. In his mention of Colonel Walford,
BSA Police, at the close of the report, Colonel Baden-Powell said:
"Commanded the southern defences with his detachment of BSA Police
throughout the siege with conspicuous success. Always cool and quick
to see what was wanted, his services were most valuable".
Regarding Major Panzera of the BSA Police Colonel Baden-Powell said: "As
commanding artillery, showed himself a smart and practical gunner, endowed
with the greatest zeal, coupled with personal gallantry in action. The
great success gained by our little guns, even when opposed to the modern
armament of the enemy, was largely due to Panzera's handling of them".
When the Australian Bushmen landed at Beira, on Portuguese territory, in
May and June 1900, they were met at the Rhodesian border by detachments of
BSA Police, some of whom, often mounted on tricycles, accompanied each body
of Australians across Rhodesia.
In 1901 and 1902, down to the close of the war, the BSA Police did good
work on the Rhodesian border and in the western and northern districts of
the Transvaal, and their services were of great value when some native
chiefs took their followers into the field. The lesson which the
Police gave put an end to all further thoughts of interference on the part
of the coloured man. The corps had casualties on many occasions during
1901 and 1902, as at Trenafontein on 21st January 1902, when they had 2
killed and 5 wounded. A detachment were with the escort to a convoy
which was captured near Klerksdorp on 25th February 1902. At that time
another body under Colonel Walford was employed in keeping open the road to
Kuruman, 100 miles west of the Vryburg railway. This detachment, or
part of it, was with Lord Methuen when he was defeated by Delarey on 7th
March. The BSA Police had several casualties in that action.
(See Cape Police).
In addition to those already given the Mentions gained by the corps were:
—
COLONEL BADEN-POWELL.— Captains A Williams and Scholfield; Lieutenant
Daniells.
LORD ROBERTS' DESPATCHES.— Colonel
Walford; Lieutenant Colonels W Bodle, got CMG, and H White; Captains
F L Bowden,
H Greener,
Hoel Llewellyn,
A P W Williams, W Ashby;
Surgeon Major Holmden; Sergeants G O
Delegh, E C Murray; Corporals J H Houite, H Gearey.
LORD KITCHENER'S DESPATCHES: 8th May 1901.— From Colonel Manners Wood's
despatch on native attack on patrol from Fort Darwin, Rhodesia, Lieutenant
Colonel Flint desires to bring to notice the gallant conduct of
Captain C H Gibson, who commanded, and
to whom every credit is due for the defeat inflicted on Mapendera's Impis.
Sergeant T Barclay, during native rising near Fort Darwin, and force obliged
to withdraw, was the last to retire, and by his coolness and good shooting
kept the natives off. Captain Gibson says he cannot speak too highly
of him, both on this occasion and during rising in 1896.
23rd June 1902.— Major Everett; Captains S W J Scholfield, Drury; Sergeant C
L St Hill; Farrier Sergeant Scholes. Sergeant French and Corporal P
Darnley also got the DCM
