Sir,
I have the honour to report that War was declared by the Boers at 6 p.m. on October 11th 1899, and on the following day Mafeking was completely cut off from the North and South.
Early in September, I had reason to believe that several of my Gangers were disloyal, and on September 15th I sent a reliable nan to make enquiries as to the probable action of the Boers and of the Gangers - this man walked along the line between Mafeking & Vryburg, and visited several farms, giving out that he was in the Transvaal Secret Service. He reported that certain Gangers would join the Boers, but others would fight against us only if forced, and that the Boers would come in at Kraaipan, destroy the Railway, and march on Mafeking, which they considered easy to take, then collect all their men and march south towards Kimberley.
Acting on this information, I had all spare permanent way material picked up between Palpaye and Mafeking, and between Vryburg and Mafeking, and brought in here to be attacked. I also ordered 2 Bogie loads Bridge Baulks, 3 Bales Grain Bags, and 20,000 lbs of Boer meal for feeding the Natives.
Two disloyal Gangers were transferred to north of Mochudi.
Paving this stock of material at Mafeking, proved Invaluable to the Defences, for I was able, at the request of the Colonel Commanding, to construct a Defence Siding 1 ½ Miles long, on the north front, thus enabling the Armoured Train to repel an attack from this side.
Afterwards it was found necessary to construct numerous shell proof trenches for the Garrison and Women and Children, and without the above named Material, it would have been impossible to put even a small proportion of the inhabitants under cover from shell fire, and to have thus reduced the loss of life, to what must be a record, for the extremely heavy bombardment we were subjected to. To show the enormous quantity of Railway Material used for Shell proof trenches, I may mention that the weight of rails etc. amounted to upwards of 200 tons.
I was able to construct shell proof places for all the families living in the Railway Camp, and instead of living in a crowded laager, they were able to enjoy the comforts of their homes.
ARMOURED BOGIE TRUCKS.
At the request of the Colonel Commanding, three Bogies were armoured by me with steel rails, 45 lbs section. The sides were made 5 feet high, and fitted with rifle and gun port holes, and proved most effective and bullet proof.
Each Bogie had a man-hole exit in the floor to enable men to get out without being exposed to fire, and they were fitted with a lookout tower - 12 ft above the floor, with a seat for the lookout man. On the top of this was a revolving Acetylene 150 Candle Power lamp. Speaking tubes connected the Bogies, and Electric bells were used for communicating with the Driver. Medicine Chests, water casks and ambulance stretchers completed the equipment. The whole arrangement and construction was carried out by the Staff of the Engineer's Department, Mafeking.
In the eight hours engagement on Saturday 14th October, there were 28 Railway men and 16 B.S.A.P. in the Bogies, and no one was seriously injured.
FOOD FOR NATIVES.
The supply of Meal which I had stocked enabled me to supply all the Natives in the Engineer's and Locomotive Departments for three months.
COMMAND.
In General Orders, dated October 7th, I was appointed Lieutenant Commandant of the Railway Division, with Mr V.R. Walmisley as Sub Commander in charge of B. Company. In General Orders dated November 30th, I was appointed Captain, with Mr W.H. Walmisley and Mr James Buchan as Hon. Lieutenants, and Mr E.J. Layton Hon. Sergeant Major.
STRENGTH.
The total strength of this Division was:
A. Company. 64 White men and 3 Armed natives.
B. Company. 59 White men and 6 Armed Natives.
Total. 123 9
The total number of armed men being 115.
DEFENCE OF RAILWAY PROPERTY.
The estimated value of Railway Buildings at Mafeking is £45,000, and there are 18 Locomotives, and a large number of trucks of all sorts, besides Machinery and Merchandise, bringing the value to upwards of £120,000.
In view of the gravity of the situation, I thought it my duty to prepare for emergencies by placing the Railway property in a proper state of defence, consequently fortifications were constructed, consisting of four sand Bag Redoubts, and a galvanized iron fence was also erected at the North and of the Railway Camp. A Fort was also built between the Hospital and Engineer's Yard, and occupied by our men.
POSTS OCCUPIED BY RAILWAY DIVISION.
The men of this Division occupied the following posts;-
1. Recreation Ground Redoubt. East Front.
2. Convent Trench with Maxim. East and North Front.
3. Fort Victoria. North Defence.
4. Engineer Lane. “ “
5. Centre Redan. North Defence.
6. Avenue Redan. “ “
7. West Redan. “ “
8. Armoured Train. In reserve position.
9. Station Guard.
EXPERIENCE OF RAILWAY MEN
5 Men of this Division have served in the Navy.
7 Men of this Division have served in the Army.
5 Men of this Division have served in the C.P. and B.S.A.P.
4 Men of this Division have served in various S.A. Wars.
14 Men of this Division have been in a Volunteer Corps.
The Men who had been in the Navy and Army, proved of the greatest assistance in the organisation of the Railway Division for Defence purposes.
SPECIAL SERVICES RENDERED BY MEN OF RAILWAY DIVISION.
Ordnance Workshops.
Coughlan, Russell, Nettle, Forbes, King, Banks, S.H. Gates, Adams, Campbell and Lees of the Locomotive Department, were detached for the purpose of starting an Ordnance Foundry.
Mr Pickford, Works manager, was asked to cast some round shot for the Smooth bore 14 Pdr, but said it could not be done. As this shot was urgently required, I instructed Coughlan and Russell to go carefully into the matter, and they reported it practicable.
Coughlan made a fan for the furnace, and Russell improvise a smelting furnace out of a circular galvanized tank lined with fire bricks. The result was most satisfactory, and they were able to turn out in a short time, 7 Pdr Common Shell and Round Shot.
A 5 inch Howitzer was also made, capable of throwing a 15 lb shell, 4,000 Yards.
Had it not been for the ability and ingenuity of these two men, all the 7 Pdr Guns mould have run out of Ammunition.
When the Ordnance Shops were in Working Order, the Military Authorities took them over.
Convalescent Home.
Mr Lee of the Traffic Department assisted by his Wife took charge of the cooking arrangements.
Water Supply
All water for the Garrison had to be drawn from the River and from Wells. The Railway Steam Pump was used for keeping the overhead tank filled for the purpose of watering; horses, and pumps were fitted in all the Wells. This work was rendered necessary owing to the Waterworks being in possession of the enemy, and the supply cut off by them. Plumber Smith's services (Engineer’s Department) were utilized in the fixing and working of all Pumps. He exhibited great skill and ingenuity, and worked unceasingly to maintain the supply.
Brigade Signaller.
Foreman P. Moffat (Traffic Department) late Sergeant 3rd Dragoon Guards, was appointed Brigade Signalling Sergeant Instructor on the Headquarter Staff, and was afterwards promoted to Sergeant Major. He was twice mentioned in General Orders.
Molopo Dressing Stations
Mr J. Young B.A. late of the Resident Engineer's Office, Bulawayo, and a medical Student, rendered valuable assistance while in charge of all Native Medical Cases at the Molopo Bridge Medical Station, frequently having to ride out to attend wounded Natives under Shell and Rifle fire, performing his duties on all occasions most conscientiously.
Cyclist and Staff Clerk.
Mr N.B. Hewitt, 2nd Clerk, District Engineer's Office, rendered useful services as a Cyclist to the Headquarter Staff. He was afterwards appointed Clerk in the Office of the Chief Staff Officer.
GUNS WORKED BY THE RAILWAY DIVISION.
Hotchkiss Gun.
Godson of the Locomotive and Cowan of the Traffic Department were attached to the Reserve Artillery to work this Gun and were mentioned in General Orders.
Nordenfelt Gun.
Lowe and Mulholland of the Locomotive Department distinguished themselves whilst in charge of this gun, and were twice mentioned in General Orders for gallantry.
Maxim Gun.
Sergeant Lowe had charge of this Gun at the beginning, and Corporal Ward towards the end of the Siege.
COMMISSARIAT.
Rations were provided by the Imperial Authorities and ordered in bulk daily for 132 men, 40 women and 96 children.
Mr G. Simonds of the Engineer's Department, performed the duties of Quarter Master Sergeant in a most able anti conscientious manner; the arduous nature of his work may be gathered from the fact that he had to weigh and divide the rations into 60 different Messes.
The Men's rations were:-
At the beginning.
1 ½ lb Bread
1 ½ lb Meat
½ oz. Salt
1 oz. Vegetables
2 oz. Sugar
1/3 oz. Coffee
½ oz. Rice
At the end.
5 oz. Oat cake
¾ lb Horse sausage and beef on alternate days.
½ oz. Comp. Vegetables
½ oz. Coffee
¼ oz. Tea
Women received half and children a quarter of this ration amount. To give satisfaction to 132 Railway men is at present an unaccomplished feat, and it is highly creditable and deserving of the greatest praise that Mr Simmonds carried out the duty from first to last unflinchingly.
It was the net arduous, thankless and unremunerative task of any in the Railway Division.
COOKS.
Each post had a Cook allotted to it, these being generally men who could not use a rifle. Even in this humble, yet necessary duty, it was pleasing, to see how cheerfully and uncomplainingly the Cooks stuck to their duties, and in spite of shot and shell ,they never forgot their comrades in arms, and made the best of the weather and appliances at their disposal.
Ranges made by cross rails were provided.
A. Company had their meals cooked in the Engineer’s Yard, and B. Company in the Locomotive Superintendent’s Yard.
CONDUCT.
I must begin by explaining that there were present
45 Men of the Engineer’s Department.
20 Men of the Traffic Department.
52 Men of the Locomotive Department.
The Men represented every grade of each. Department, and the greatest difficulty lay in putting suitable Sergeants over them, who would be respected and obeyed.
It could not be expected that such a mixed body of men would pull together, but it is highly creditable how well they bore the discomforts of the trenches in rainy weather, the constant alarms which at first prevailed, and the many duties, often irksome to men unused to Military Discipline, they had to perform.
The men never knew what it was to sleep in a bed from start to finish, their clothes were often wet through, and the trenches were flooded out, and yet they stuck to their posts and were never found to fail in their duty.
The rations provided were enough to keep men alive, but it was an extra hardship to Railway men, who are accustomed to eat heartily, and whose appetites are proverbial.
The numerous duties and the many posts to which men of this Division were ordered, made everything more difficult. Frequently an order would come late at night for a detachment to occupy a post away from the Railway Forts, and I know of no occasion when such orders were not carried out at once; although settled down for the night, it was always possible to get the men out to do their duty as Sons of the Empire.
When it is remembered that the average Artizan is distinctly a man of peace, and only shines in his own particular groove, it is highly creditable that such unanimity existed when we were brought face to face with a grave crisis.
I am sorry to say however, that a few men were constantly agitating and causing trouble. Their names will be brought to your notice in an appendix with is attached to this report.
DUTIES.
The Men of this Division have had to occupy 8 Posts, and a guard of three men was mounted at each of these, every evening at 6 p.m., and withdrawn at 6 a.m. A Sergeant was in charge of each three Ports for night duty.
The Sentries were regularly visited by the Officer for the day, and only one man W75was reported during the whole time for sleeping at his post. On many occasions the weather has been wretched, it having been a very wet season, the rain filling the trenches and drenching the men to the skin, but all this was cheerfully borne by them.
In addition to the night guard, a man was on the look-out from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
All men stood to arms each morning at 5.30 a.m., and the roll was also called at 9 p.m.
Occasionally the men were ordered to occupy, temporarily, positions usually held by the Protectorate Regiment and Bechuanaland Rifles.
On December 26th, 16 men of this Division were called upon to occupy the Convent Trench, and to take charge of the Maxim from the Cape Police, who had hitherto occupied this important Post. We were often detailed to occupy the Kraal, 2500 yards from the Enemy's Siege Gun, for the purpose of firing volleys at the Gunners and thus keep down the fire; and also for special duties such as:
1. Casting of Cannon Balls and 7 pdr shell.
2. Making and repairing tents:
3. Making powder charges.
4. Repairing Signal Lamps and Heliographs.
5. Laying water to Hospital, Convent and Forts.
6. Erecting Look-out Posts.
7. Making Forts and shell Proof Trenches.
During the latter part of the Siege, we had to detail men for patrolling the Town, to prevent conflagrations caused by incendiary shells.
OFFICERS.
I cannot sufficiently express my admiration for the admirable way in which Lieutenant Walmisley and Sergeant Major Layton carried out their duties in connection with the organisation of the Railway Division for defence purposes.
Lieutenant Walmisley’s early training as an Imperial officer, proved to be of the greatest assistance in organizing such a mixed body of men, and the untiring energy he displayed all through, is deserving of the highest praise, and will I trust meet with suitable recognition from the General Manager.
Inspector Layton, as Sergeant Major, proved himself to be an official of great tact and skill in handling men, and assisted materially in keeping the men cheerful and in providing for their comfort; his conduct during the siege will, I trust, receive due recognition from the Head of his Department.
It is very gratifying that in a crisis such as this was, and of such long duration, Officers could be found to carry out such arduous duties, and to have them so ably performed by these Gentlemen.
The innumerable difficulties to be overcome, the tact and anxiety of all in controlling such a body of Railway Servants, numbering 132, as well as looking after the women and children, was, needless to say, not an easy one at such a time.
ACTIVE PART TAKEN BY MEN OF RAILWAY DIVISION.
The first shot fired in the defence of Mafeking was by Railway men in the Armoured train at the 5 mile cottage, South of Mafeking, on October 16th 1899. The Boers were looting the Cottage and destroying it.
On Saturday, October 14th, the Armoured Engine, with two Bogie trucks full armoured, and one Bogie halt armoured, steamed out of Mafeking towards the North at 4 a.m. The front Bogie contained Captain Williams, B.S.A.P. who was in Military Command, 10 B.S.A.P. and 12 Railway men. The Maxim was worked by the B.S.A.P. The second truck with myself in charge, contained 6 B.S.A.P. and 15 Railway men. The Maxim was worked by Sergeant Lowe of this Division. In the third truck there were 2 B.S.A.P. and 2 Railway men, the latter working the Hotchkiss Gun.
The Railway men had not been in action before, and while the B.S.A.P. were armed with Lee Metfords, they only had Martini Rifles. The Maxim used by the B.S.A.P. was the best in Mafeking, and the one worked by Sergeant Lowe continually jammed.
At Game Tree on December 26th, when served by men of the Protectorate Regiment, it did not work at all.
The Enemy's fire was terrible, 1 lb Maxim shells bursting a few yards beyond the truck, accompanied by a perfect hail of bullets. The Railway men I am pleased to say behaved very well, and when the enemy were within range, did good work with their Martinis. Sergeant Lowe and myself managed to keep the Maxim pouring in its deadly fire on the enemy, and Corporal Godson kept the Hotchkiss firing in spite of his exposed position in the half armoured truck, which only protected the lower part of his body. The two B.S.A.P. in the truck with him were told to lie down as the fire was too heavy, and both were slightly wounded by portions of shell.
It was a terribly anxious time, 850 Boers of the Marico Commando with Artillery, under General Snyman, were pitted against 16 B.S.A.P. and 28 Railway Men. A grimly contested fight lasting two hours, resulted in the enemy having to evacuate his position and fall back with heavy loss over the crest of the rise, where he was again successfully engaged by Captain FitzClarence with 2 Squadrons of the Protectorate Regiment.
When it is remembered that 14 out of the 28 Railway men who left at dawn to fight, were men with families depending on them and who knew that if a shell from the Enemy's 12 pdr Krupp struck the Boiler it meant either death by scalding or falling into the hands of a semi-civilised enemy, I think too much cannot be said in the praise of these men, mostly mechanics, who side by side with trained and experienced B.S.A.P., went out to inflict on the enemy a cheek which was probably the salvation of Mafeking.
No one can realize the strain it was for them to part from their wives and families, and for the first time in their lives, to meet that hail of bullets which even to the trained soldiers was unnerving.
Game Tree
Again on the 26th December, 20 men manned the Armoured train to assist in the brilliant but unsuccessful sortie against a Boer fort at Game Tree, and afterwards rendered good service in pluckily bringing in the wounded under fire. Sergeant Moffat being especially mentioned in General Orders for gallantry in this respect.
It should be mentioned that while steaming into action in the dark, the leading bogie was derailed at a spot, where the enemy anticipating the attack, had cleverly destroyed the Permanent Way. The consequences of this accident might have been most serious, but for the promptness and coolness with which my orders were carried out under fire; Driver Waine being worthy of Special mention.
The last attack May 12th.
Immediately on hearing the firing at 4 a.m. on Saturday the men of the Railway Division stood to arms at the appointed posts, and when the Bugle sounded the Alarm everyone was present. The Colonel's orders came for me to take up a position on the West front of the Railway Camp, a position 800 yards long.
In ten minutes every man was placed in position and were busily engaged in improvising cover and selecting comfortable positions. Sergeant Nicholas with 12 men occupied West Redan, Sergeant Morrilleau with 15 men were left in a Gravel hole and Sergt. Major Layton & 25 men occupied a shallow trenche at the South end of Second Avenue. With the remaining men I took up position in the Workshops Yard & loop-holed the galvanized iron fence. Thus we had formed a new and unexpected line of defence,
Lieut. Walmisley and his men occupied a fort half a mile to the North and near the line, and in front of them were a large body of Boers waiting the signal to come in.
Until 8 p.m. the struggle continued, scanty food, hot sun and no one able to move. The men were exposed to a continuous and heavy rifle fire the whole day. For untrained troops to be exposed as they were, without proper cover and within 350 yards of the enemy, is sufficient to show the coolness displayed in the face of real danger by these men.
Sergt. Major Layton particularly distinguished himself by his presence of mind and cheerfulness. The prisoners afterward stated that the firing was very deadly from this front.
Relief of Mafeking May 17th
Soon after the relief force entered the town, detachments from each Unit of the Garrison together with the Royal Horse Artillery advanced to attack General Snyman's Head Laager. Lieut. Walmisley was in charge of the Railway Detachment; the Laager was captured & quantities of provisions brought in.
Taking another portion of the Railway Division I manned the Armoured Train and advanced to attack Game Tree Fort. Arriving at end of rails half the party got out & advanced under cover of the Guns of the Armoured Train, and a firing party under Mr Layton, now promoted to Second Lieutenant, remained to cover our advance. The enemy immediately retreated and we occupied the Fort, capturing small quantities of food.
CONVALESCENT HOME.
Owing to the numerous complaints of treatment at the Victoria Hospital by our men, I decided to utilize the Railway Institute for Convalescent purposes, thus enabling men just out of Hospital to get thoroughly restored to health before returning to the trenches, and the Home proved a great success.
The cooking was done by the Railway people in turns, and Crittenden, Rolling Stock Inspector, rendered valuable services as Manager. It was afterwards taken over by the Imperial Authorities for general purposes; Dr Holmden being the Medical Officer, and Lady Sarah Wilson the Lady Superintendent, assisted by Mrs More, Mrs Gemmel and other Ladies.On January 15th a 95 pdr Shell struck the building and completely wrecked the Library, Billiard Room and Billiard Table necessitating the removal of the Patients to other quarters. None of the inmates I am thankful to say were hurt.
MEDICAL ATTENDANCE.
At the commencement of the Siege Mr W.A. Hayes, Railway Medical Officer, was appointed Principal Medical Officer to the Garrison, and Surgeon Lieutenant to the Bechuanaland Rifles. Receiving pay from both these Offices, he was obliged to devote his time to the new duties, consequently for the first two months the Railway men saw very little of him.
Mr W.T. Hayes was appointed Staff Officer to the P.M.O., so that both our Medical Officers were otherwise engaged.
ARMOURED TRAIN ENGINEMEN.
Driver George Waine and Fireman Moffat were selected for this duty, and no two men could have exhibited greater coolness and pluck than they did on all occasions.
To be shut up in an Armour plated engine cab with the bullets rattling against the plates, accompanied by the roar of musketry from both sides, and with the possibility of a shell striking the boiler, is enough to try the bravest man, yet I never found these men flurried or fail to respond to an order.
Their Engine was kept in steam the whole period, and Vey were always ready to turn out on any emergency.
FOOD SUPPLIES IN THE GOODS SHED.
At the commencement of the Siege the Railway Department had in its keeping the following quantities of provisions in transit for Bulawayo and the Transvaal.
Tinned meat, Sugar, Coffee and other Groceries. 141,000 lbs
Mealies and Kaffir Corn, 69,000 lbs
Flour and Meal, 22,692 lbs
All this amount was utilized to feed the Garrison.
Mr J.H. Storey, Chief Goods Clerk, was placed in charge of this Department, and carried out his duties in a most able and conscientious manner.
CASUALTIES.
R. Carter of the Traffic Department, died on the -- March, of fever contracted in the trenches.
Guard Neilson had a most miraculous escape, being shot right through the head, between the eyes, with a Mauser bullet. He subsequently recovered and returned to duty, apparently none the worse for the wound.
Fireman S. Layton was wounded in the foot by a Mauser bullet.
Mrs Manthey, wife of Guard Manthey, who was with Colonel Plumer's Armoured Train, was wounded in four places by a shell, which burst in her bomb proof, but she recovered.
Joel Nyangi, Office Messenger, was wounded on two occasions i.e. October 14th 1900, whilst in the Armoured truck, with a piece of shell which struck his head, and again on the 13th February, by a Mauser bullet, which passed through the fleshy part of his body. Neither of the wounds were serious.
In concluding my report, I cannot help expressing my gratitude to the Colonel Commanding, the Chief Staff Officer, the Town Commandant, and other Officers of the Staff, for their great kindness and consideration shown to the Division during the whole of the Siege.
During this period we were under "'Martial Law", and I am afraid that at times we were slow in realising the full meaning of these words, but we were always met in most fair and7enerous spirit, when any little difficulties arose.
Our one idea troughout the Siege was to give the Military Authorities as little trouble as possible, and to spare no efforts in rendering then every assistance, and I venture to hope that our efforts were successful.
I have the honour to be
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
J.R. More