TOPIC:

In Cornhill, the town square.










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PRIVATE O. MUMFORD 1ST . K. DRAGOON GDS
PRIVATE E. STEWARD 1ST . K. DRAGOON GDS
PRIVATE H. HUGHES 1ST . K. DRAGOON GDS
PRIVATE W. ROSBROOK 1ST . K. DRAGOON GDS
PRIVATE F. CALTON 13TH . HUSSARS
PRIVATE H. MUNNINGS 13TH . BATTY R.F.A.
CORPL C. LYNES 44TH . BATTY R.F.A.
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DRIVER G. OXFORD 44TH . BATTY R.F.A.
GUNNER F. OXFORD 73RD . BATTY R.F.A.
DRIVER C. PHILLIPPS 78TH . BATTY R.F.A.
GUNNER C. PANNIFER 81ST . BATTY R.F.A.
DRIVER J. MOORE 81ST . BATTY R.F.A.
GUNNER A. BRUNNING 15TH . COY R.G.A.
SAPPER A. SMITH 12TH . COY R.E.
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PRIVATE A. HERRINGTON GRENADIER GDS

. . . G. ALLENSBY
A. ARBON
T. ARNULL
W. BALTYER
A. BARKER
J. BARNES
S. BARNES
G. BARRETT
A. BEDWELL
J. BOSWORTH
W. BOYCE
A. BRIDGE
F. BROYD
C. BRUTY
A. BUTCHER
W. CAWLEY
H. CHAPMAN
W. COBBIN
H. COBBOLD
W. COLEMAN
A. COOPER
H. CORDER
W. CUTHBERT
C. DAVIS
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A. DAW
W. DAYNES
W. DEADMAN
J. DEWELL
C. DOUBLE
T. DUNKLING
W. DYER
F. EDGLEY
E. FINCH
J. FINTER
E. FISK
F. FORGE
S. FORSDYKE
W. FULCHER
G. GARROD
A. GILL
E. GODDARD
G. GREENWOOD
A. GRIGGS
C. HACKETT
S. HANCOCK
W. HEARNE
W. HEAUME
S. HEMMINGS
A. HICKS
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G. HICKS
E. HOLLAND
R. HOLLAND
A. HOWE
H. HOWELL
F. HUNT
W. JOHNSON
C. KIDD
H. KNIGHTS
J. LAMBERT
J. LAST
W. LEWIS
J. MALONEY
T. MALYON
W. MANCHESTER
A. MARTIN
E. MARTIN
C. MAYES
A. MEADE
T. MURTON
F. MUSKETT
R. NEWSON
H. NORMAN
W. NORRIS
A. NORWOOD
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G. OLLEY
J. PARMENTER
J. PEARSON
D. PETERS
J. PLUMB
H. PODD
T. POLLARD
G. POMEROY
G. PRIGG - Named on the Ipswich memorial as G. PRICE
S. PRYKE
W. RADLEY
T. RANSOM
T. READ
C. RICE
H. RISBY
J. ROBINSON
G. ROGERS
W. ROGERS
J. ROSENDALE
R. RUMSEY
E. SCOTT
T. SEAMANS
J. SHARMAN
A. SILLITOE
J. SKEET
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W. SMITH
L. SOANES
A. SOUTHGATE
H. STEGGLES
W. STOCK
W. STOLLERY
W. STUTLEY
E. TABOR
R. TAYLOR
W. TAYLOR
F. THOMPSON
E. THORNHILL
R. TOOKE
J. VAUGHAN
H. WALLACE
J. WARD
W. WATLING
A. WATSON
T. WEBB
C. WILSON
H. WILSON
G. WOODS - Named on the Ipswich memorial as C. WOOD
A. WOODGATE
W. WOOLARD
P. WRIGHT
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SERGT E. GARRARD VOL COY SUFFLK REGT
CORPL E. GREEN VOL COY SUFFLK REGT
PTE A. MAY VOL COY SUFFLK REGT
PTE T. TUFFS VOL COY SUFFLK REGT
LCE CORPL B. BANTOCK BEDFORDSH REGT
PTE T. SALTER LEICESTERSH REGT
PTE E. HALE SCOTTISH RIFLES
SERGT H. TURNER ROY INNISKILLING FUS
PTE J. ENNALS ESSEX REGT
PTE W. SYMONDS ESSEX REGT
PTE C. CAMPAN ESSEX REGT
SERGT C. CALTHORPE ROY BERKS REGT
PTE C. COBBOLD K. O. YORKSHIRE L. I.
PTE H. GOOCH K. R. RIFLE CORPS
PTE F. HOWE MANCHESTER REGT
PTE W. PAMMENT RIFLE BRIGADE
PTE C. WILLIS RIFLE BRIGADE
CORPL F. EAST A.S.C.
PTE A. CHENERY A.S.C.
PTE H. FROST R.A.M.C.
PTE W. LEACH R.A.M.C.
PTE P. HURRELL 4TH BATTN YORKS REGT
TROOPER MUMFORD 5TH IMP YEOMANRY
TROOPER BOCOCK 44TH IMP YEOMANRY
TROOPER E. HARDING 44TH IMP YEOMANRY
TROOPER H. MILLER BETHUNE S HORSE
PTE G. STEVENS R.A.M.C. VOL
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The names alphabetically. Names that aren't on the Ipswich memorial are indicated by an asterix (*).
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Private G. ALLENSBY, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 26.2.1901
Private W. ANDSLEY, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Private J. ARBON, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 20.9.1900
Private A. ARNULL, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Died of wounds, 8.1.1900
Lance Sergeant H. ARROWSMITH, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Lance Corporal J. M. ATTWELL, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Sergeant J. BAKER, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 4.1.1900
Private W. BALTZER, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
* Lance Corporal B. W. BANTOCK, 2nd Bedfordshire Regiment. Disease, 25.2.1901
Private A. BARKER, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 28.6.1900
Private J. BARNES, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 22.12.1901
Private S. BARNES, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Private G. R. K. BARRETT, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Died 6.9.1902
Private A. H. BEDWELL, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 14.11.1900
* Private F. W. BOCOCK, 44th (Suffolk) Company Imperial Yeomanry. Pneumonia, 29.3.1901
Private J. BOSWORTH, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 31.3.1902
Private W. BOYCE, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 22.5.1901
Private A. BRIDGE, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Captain Arthur Wale BROWN, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Died from wounds, 8.1.1900
Private F. BROYD, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 11.7.1900
Private G. BRUTY, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 31.5.1900
Private Albert Offord BUTCHER, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 12.6.1900
* Gunner A. BRUNNING, 15th Company Royal Field Artillery. Disease, 8.6.1900
* Sergeant Charles Gordon CALTHORPE, 2nd Royal Berkshire Regiment. Died 8.2.1902 (at Netley)
* Private F. CALTON, 13th Hussars. Disease, 27.2.1902
* Private G. CAMPAN, 2nd Essex Regiment. Disease, 16.3.1902
Lieutenant Seymour James CAREY, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Private W. J. CAWLEY, Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 5.6.1900
Private H CHAPMAN, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 2.3.1902
* Private A. CHENERY, Army Service Corps. Disease, 6.4.1901
Private William COBBIN, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 6.7.1900
* Private C. COBBOLD, 2nd King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Disease, 6.2.1900
Private Harry COBBOLD, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 7.3.1902
Sergeant F. COLEMAN, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 15.12.1901
Private W. COLEMAN, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 17.1.1901
Private A. COOPER, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Private H. COOPER, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 27.12.1900
Private H. CORDER, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 22.4.1901
Private Walter CUTHBERT, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Lance Corporal E. DAMES, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 23.5.1901
Private C. DAVIS, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 5.5.1901
Private A. DAW, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 30.12.1900
Lance Corporal W. DAY, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 1.11.1900
Private W. DAYNES, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 24.4.1900
Private W. DEADMAN, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 28.5.1902
Private J. DEWELL, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 22.1.1902
Private C. DOUBLE, 1st Suffolk Regiment.
Captain Ronald Mackenzie DOWIE, 2nd Suffolk Regiment. Died from wounds, 20.12.1901
Private T. DUNKLING, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 27.4.1901
Private W. DYER, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 24.1.1901
* Corporal Farrier F. EAST, Army Service Corps. Disease.
Private F. EDGELEY, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Enteric, 2.4.1900
Lance Corporal C. ELLINGHAM, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 15.6.1900
* Private J. ENNALS, 1st Essex Regiment. Died from wounds, 13.3.1900
Private E. FINCH, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 8.11.1900
Private J. FINTER, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 13.3.1901
Private Ernest FISK, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Enteric, 21.6.1900
Private F. FORGE, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 4.1.1900
Private S. FORSDYKE, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 29.12.1900
* Private H. FROST, Royal Army Medical Corps. Enteric, 30.5.1900
Private W. FULCHER, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Sergeant E. C. GARRARD, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 5.7.1900
Private G. GARROD, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 24.12.1900
Private A. GILL, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Enteric, 25.4.1900
Lance Corporal A. GODDARD, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 21.1.1901
* Rifleman H. G. GOOCH, King's Royal Rifle Corps. Enteric, 15.3.1900
Corporal E. B. GREEN, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 13.6.1901
Private G. GREENWOOD, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Private A. GRIGGS, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 8.4.1902
Private C. HACKETT, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Died from wounds, 6.1.1900
* Private E. HALE, 2nd (Cameronians) Scottish Rifles.
Private S. HANCOCK, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 23.5.1902
* Private E. HARDING, 44th (Suffolk) Company Imperial Yeomanry. Disease, 24.2.1902
Private W. HEARNE, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 27.1.1901
Private W. HEAUME, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Drowned, 8.2.1902
Private S. HEMMINGS, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 17.8.1900
* Private Arthur HERRINGTON, 3rd Grenadier Guards. Enteric, 21.6.1900
Private A. HICKS, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 12.10.1900
Private G. HICKS, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 1.1.1901
Private E. C. HOLLAND, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 8.1.1901
Private Ben Robert HOLLAND, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 18.3.1900
Sergeant A. HOUSDEN, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Died from wounds, 6.6.1900
Private A. HOWE, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 31.1.1901
* Private F. HOWE, 2nd Manchester Regiment. Enteric, 14.2.1901
Private W. C. HOWELL, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 4.5.1900
* Private H. HUGHES, 1st Dragoon Guards. Died from wounds, 10.11.1901
Private Frederick HUNT, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Died at Southampton Docks, 3.6.1900
* Private P. HURRELL, 4th Yorkshire Regiment. Disease, 22.5.1902
Private William JOHNSON, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Enteric, 11.8.1900
Private Charles KIDD, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Private H. KNIGHTS, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 17.6.1900
Private John William LAMBERT, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Enteric, 25.6.1900
Private J. LAST, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 16.2.1902
* Private W. G. LEACH, Royal Army Medical Corps. Enteric, 17.1.1900
Private W. LEWIS, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 8.2.1901
Major William Reade De la Pere LLOYD, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 26.1.1901
* Corporal C. J. LYNES, 44th Battery Royal Field Artillery. Dysentery, in UK
Private J. MALONEY, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 8.3.1901
Private T. MALYON, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Enteric, 1.4.1900
Private W. MANCHESTER, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 12.12.1900
Private A. MARTIN, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 29.4.1902
Private E. MARTIN, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Died from wounds, 21.7.1901
Private Alfred Henry MAY, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 3.8.1900
Private C. MAYES, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 11.7.1900
Private A. MEADE, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Died from wounds, 6.2.1901
* Trooper H. MILLER, Bethune's Mounted Infantry. Died from wounds, 31.3.1902
* Driver J. MOORE
Sergeant E. MORGAN, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
* Foster Richard MUMFORD, 16th (Worcestershire) Company Imperial Yeomanry. Disease, 26.3.1902
* Private E. MUMFORD, 1st Dragoon Guards. Disease, 20.8.1901
* Gunner H. P. MUNNINGS, 13th Battery Royal Field Artillery. Enteric, 20.1.1901
Private T. MURTON, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Private F. MUSKETT, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Private R. NEWSON, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Lance Corporal H. NIXON, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Private H. NORMAN, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 20.6.1900
Private W. C. NORRIS, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 11.4.1902
Private A. NORWOOD, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 11.2.1901
Private G. OLLEY, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 5.2.1901
Sergeant Drummer L. ORBELL, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 7.7.1901
* Gunner Fred OXFORD, 73rd Battery Royal Field Artillery. Enteric, 8.5.1900
* Driver G. OXFORD, 44th Battery Royal Field Artillery. Disease, 13.4.1902
Sergeant W. PALMER, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 20.4.1900
* Rifleman W. PAMMENT, 2nd Rifle Brigade. Drowned, 28.10.1900
* Gunner George PANNIFER, 81st Battery Royal Field Artillery. Killed by lightning, 20.2.1902
Private J. PARMENTER, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 21.5.1902
Private J. PEARSON, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 11.6.1900
Private D. PETERS, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 4.4.1900
* Driver C. PHILLIPS, 78th Battery Royal Field Artillery. Enteric, 11.3.1900
Private J. PLUMB, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Accidentally killed, 7.5.1902
Private H. PODD, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 21.6.1900
Private T. POLLARD, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 7.6.1900
Private G. POMEROY, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 3.6.1900
Private G. PRICE, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Private S. PRYKE, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Private W. RADLEY, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Died from wounds, 6.1.1900
Private T. RANSOM, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Lance Corporal T. READ, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 13.5.1901
Corporal William REYNOLDS, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Typhoid, 30.6.1900
Private C. RICE, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 3.2.1901
Private H. RISBY, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 23.4.1900
Private J. ROBINSON, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Private G. ROGERS, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 12.5.1900
Private W. ROGERS, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 10.3.1900
* Private W. ROSBROOK, 5th Dragoon Guards. Enteric, 8.1.1900
Private J. ROSENDALE, 1st Suffolk Regiment.
Private R. RUMSEY, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 14.2.1901
* Private T. SALTER, 1st Leicestershire Regiment. Enteric, 29.4.1900
Private E. SCOTT, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 7.2.1901
Private T. SEAMANS, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Private J. SHARMAN, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 18.6.1900
Private A. SILLITOE, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Private J. R. SKEET, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Died from wounds, 10.1.1900
* Sapper A. SMITH, 12th Field Company Royal Engineers. 28.1.1900
Private W. SMITH, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 11.8.1900
Private Leopold SOAMES, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 29.12.1900
Private A. SOUTHGATE, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Died from wounds, 30.4.1900
Private Herman STEGGLES, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 29.11.1900
* Private G. STEVENS, Royal Army Medical Corps.
* Private E. STEWARD, 1st Dragoon Guards.
Private W. STOCK, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Private W. STOLLERY, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Died from wounds, 10.1.1900
Lance Corporal G. STURGEON, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 30.4.1902
Private E. STUTLEY, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 16.6.1900
* Private W. SYMONDS, 1st Essex Regiment. Dysentery, 6.4.1901
Private E. TABOR, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 8.12.1901
Private Robert TAYLOR, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed by lightning, 10.11.1901
Private W. TAYLOR, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 2.6.1900
Private F. THOMPSON, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Captain William Gordon THOMSON, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Suicide, 9.6.1900
Private E. THORNHILL, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 22.5.1901
Private R. TOOKE, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 9.3.1901
Private Thomas TUFFS, 2nd Suffolk Regiment. Enteric, 8.6.1900
* Sergeant H. G. TURNER, 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Died from wounds, 25.2.1900
Private J. VAUGHAN, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Drummer J. WALDEN, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 26.12.1900
Private Henry WALLACE, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Private J. WARD, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 2.11.1900
Private W. WATLING, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 15.4.1900
Private A. WATSON, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 14.11.1901
Lieutenant Colonel Arthur John WATSON, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
Private T. WEBB, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Died from wounds, 6.1.1900
Captain & Adjutant Francis Alfred Pressland WILKINS, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action, 6.1.1900
* Rifleman Charles WILLIS, 1st Rifle Brigade. Disease, 9.11.1900
Private C. WILSON, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 7.7.1900
Private H. WILSON, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 19.6.1901
Private C. WOOD/G. WOODS, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 8.2.1901
Private A. WOODGATE, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 24.3.1901
Private W. WOOLLARD, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Died of disease, 26.12.1900
Private P. WRIGHT, 1st Suffolk Regiment. Disease, 9.3.1902
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The 'Ipswich War Memorial' website has researched the names on Ipswich's Suffolk Soldiers Memorial , and further information on the Suffolk Regiment names can be found there -
www.ipswichwarmemorial.co.uk/east-suffol...-war-memorial-names/

Correspondence to the Bury paper which described the disaster to the Suffolks, on 6th January, 1900.

....A good deal that is unreliable having been written about the disaster to the Suffolks at Rensburg, and blame having been wantonly cast upon Col. Watson in a letter from a Private which recently appeared in a London half-penny paper, we have felt it a duty to endeavour to arrive at the truth in the matter, and as the result of our investigations we have pleasure in expressing the firm and confident belief that Colonel Watson was in no way responsible for the fact that the movement of the Suffolk Regiment waa not a success, and that he acted like a brave and loyal soldier and commander throughout, and heroically died at the head of his Regiment. It is with gratification we are able to record that the Queen sent a message of deep sympathy to Mrs. Watson on the loss of her gallant husband. Her Majesty also asked for and has received a photograph of the Colonel. In order that the full truth may be known of the Rensburg disaster we publish with melancholy satisfaction the following copies of letters received from Major Cubitt, second in command of the 1st Suffolk Regiment, and Capt. Massy-Lloyd:— ...."Colonel Watson got permission to capture a Boer position on the night of the 5th. He kept it entirely to himself to the last moment, and only told me when everyone but poor Mr. Wilkins and Mr. Wilson had gone to bed. He was awfully keen about it, and quite confident of success. It would have been a magnificent thing for our side if his hopes had been fulfilled, as it was the key of the Boer position. That it was not a success was not Colonel Watson's fault, or, indeed, anyone's, but the result of treachery, probably on the part of Kaffirs attached to our transport. Colonel Watson at 10 30 p.m. told me his plans, and left me in charge of the camp and reserves. He left camp at 12.30 a.m., and they marched out quietly and grimly. They advanced across the veldt, and got to the hill in safety, and three-quarters of the way up. Then they halted in perfect silence. The Colonel, Mr. Wilkins, and Captain Brown advanced cautiously and reconnoitred. They returned, and the Colonel gave the order to advance—he leading. One shot was fired, and he gave the order to charge, and they charged the position, only to be met by a high wall with two tiers of loopholes ten to fifteen paces in front. The poor Colonel and half the front Company fell at once. They charged several times, and ali the casualties occurred here. It was hopeless, as the Boers were prepared for the attack. The fire was terrific, and some of the enemy shouted 'Retire,' which was mistaken for our officers' voices in the pitch darkness, and the rear Companies obeyed it. The Colonel was killed instantaneously; Mr. Wilkins and his bugler were shot dead beside him. The men behaved very bravely, but the task was an impossible one. Major Graham was shot in the shoulder, the bullet coming out at the neck; and also in the arm. Our ambulances went out in course of the day, and the dearly-loved Colonel and his comrades were buried, Major ————, R.A.M.C, reading the Service. Some of the Boers attended and said some prayers. They told the doctors Col. Watson was a gallant officer, and died at the head of his command as a soldier should." .
....Extract from Captain Massy-Lloyd's letter:— ...."What actually happened no one knows; you get a different story from each man. It appears the Colonel led them all right up to the position, but as some wretch had gone ahead of us, and warned the Boers, the attack failed. The account that seems the best is that they marched off at 12.30 a.m. About 1,000 yards from tbe position the Colonel called the officers out and explained his. He said the Companies were to attack in column, at 50 paces between Companies. By the time they reached the hill, they were in quarter-column, the very formation the Colonel said he would not attack in, but in the pitch darkness it was impossible to keep any distance or order. H Company was leading, Captain Brown; then D Company, Major Graham; B Company, Captain Thomson; and A Company, Captain Brett. When they got within about forty paces from the position one shot was fired, and the Boers all shouted 'The Rooineks,' and then the most terrific fire began. The men lay down, and then someone said 'Retire'—a Boer, most likely—and some of our men began to go. It is quite certain that the Colonel never gave that order, or the officers would have retired too. They remained to a man, except Graham, who was wounded early, and could not hold his rifle. He dragged himself down the hill, and somehow crawled the two miles back to camp."
. .
....A letter recently received by Mrs. Long, of 25, Lambert's Row, Risbygate-street, from her son, Private W. Long, of the 1st Battalion Suffolk Regiment, who writes from Naauwpoort under date January 9th, says:—I daresay you have seen by the papers what has happened to our regiment, but I am very pleased to let you know I am one of the lucky ones to return. Dear Mother, I don't know how they will bring it in the papers about us, but I must tell you the cause of us getting cut up as we did was through our own Colonel's mistake. He received orders to march us to the foot of the hill on which the enemy had taken up position, and to remain there until daybreak, when the artillery were going to fire and shell the hill for two hours, and the cavalry were coming up on both sides of the hill, and after the artillery had stopped shelling we were to attack the hill with fixed bayonets and drive the enemy into the cavalry, so they could cut them all off; and instead of that we were marched right to the top, and no sooner had we reached it than a heavy fire from about 2,000 Boers broke out on us, and we had to lay down and wait orders, not being allowed to fire a shot, and bullets flying in all directions over our heads and all around us, and we were ordered to retire, but it was too late, for, as soon as the words were out of the Colonel's mouth he was shot dead on the spot, and the adjutant and bugler by his side. Tell Alf. Powell that the bugler was poor old Jack Carter. I must tell you that it was the cruelest sight that ever I witnessed, and I shall never forget it. We went up with four companies, amounting to about 400 men and came back with 260. The remainder were killed and wounded, and some taken prisoners. In my company we lost three officers, one colour-sergeant, three sergeants, two corporals, and about 32 men, and how I escaped myself I can hardly tell you, but I managed to get back to camp with a small bullet wound in my thigh, and that is very nearly healed up now, so I am getting over it all right. There is a lot belonging to Bury killed, but we cannot get to know all yet. We have come back to Naauwpoort again on account of losing so many officers, and I don't suppose we shall go to the front again without they are very hard pushed, as we have no one left to command us or take charge of us . Our losses altogether were 11 officers, two drummers, and about 150 non-commissioned officers and men. Dear mother, give my love to all at home, and tell them I shall be glad enough when this is all over, so I can get back home, which l hope, please God, I shall do now I have escaped through this, because I am sure we shall never have a harder battle to fight if we do go back to the front again, as we were led right into the enemy's hands in the dark of the night, and all they had to do was to lay and cut us down aa we advanced up. We were not allowed to fire a shot. My company chum was running down the hill by my side, and all at once he fell, and I dare not stop to look if he was shot or only stumbled over, but in the afternoon the helmets of the dead men were brought to camp by the doctor, and to my sorrow I found his was amongst them." .
....Mr. A Baker, of Chalk-lane, Bury St Edmund's, has received a letter from his brother, Private W. Baker, of the 1st Battalion Suffolk Regiment, who writes from Arundel, S. Africa, from which the following extract will be of interest:—"l dare say that you have heard of the dreadful calamity to our regiment. We left at twelve o clock for a night attack. We was to charge the hill known as Red Hill. All went well till we were within about twenty yards from the top of the hill, when they opened a terrific rifle fire right straight from our front. We laid down for a minute or two, but the fire got much heavier, and we soon found that we were in for a very tight job. The Boers had got all round us, and we had a very warm time of it for about half an hour or so. The morning was fairly dark and the hill was a dreadful hill to climb; it was all loose lumps of rock, and some parts of the hill was more than men could climb. The Boer sentry fired one shot, and he was then stabbed through the body; he never lived to tell the tale, but that shot gave them the signal. I can hardly tell you how I felt to find myself led into such a death trap. The first shot fired cut a whole company of men down, except about twelve. Our commanding officer could see what a position that he had led us to and gave the order for us to retire, which we lost no time in doing. How we got back I don't know. When we got to the bottom of the hill we were surrounded by their men, and there it is where we dealt it out a bit thick. We had 200 rounds of ball ammunition each, and was not allowed to fire a shot. That is where we lost so heavy; and besides, when we were cut off we lost all our officers, and then we opened a dreadful fire on the enemy and made the best of our escape. The hill was occupied by about 3,000 to 4,000 Boers on the top of the hill. They had made every preparation for a long stand; there was a wall built with rock, and the side nearest to us there was a very deep trench. The place was impossible to take without artillery. Our loss was very heavy; we lost the colonel, the adjutant, one major, three captains, and four lieutenants, thirty rank and file killed, forty-five wounded, seventy-two prisoners. That was out of four companies, A, B, D, H; so you can see that we had a very good job. Besides, on the fifth we had a severe fight; the Boers lost very heavy in killed and wounded. The General has sent us back till we get some more officers." .
....Mrs. Barnes, of York-road, has just received a letter from her son, Private G. Barnes, of the 1st Suffolk Regiment, who writes from Arundel, under date January 14th. In his letter he says:—"Just a line to let you know that I'm one of the lucky ones that escaped unhurt, and am glad to say that I'm enjoying the best of health at present. I know you have seen by the papers at home that the regiment got a reverse, but it might have been worse. My company were fighting for ten hours on the 4th of the month; we held a kopje against about 1,500 Boers, and we gave them 'socks.' Their losses were very heavy, and ours were two killed and three wounded; poor Pasha Baker was one of them, he fell next to me, shot through the heart; it was no use trying to do anything for him, for he was dead as soon as he was hit. We had been about five days on outpost duty then without a wash and very little sleep. We came off duty the next morning for a rest, but at night we knew we were for a stiff day on the 6th, so tried to get as much rest as we could, for we were ordered to parade at 4.15 a.m. to take a hill occupied by the Boers, but about quarter to twelve we were woke up and told to parade at 12.30 in slippers and make a night attack on them, and we tried it on, but they knew as much about it as we did and were quite ready for us. We got to the top of the hill, when their sentry fired a shot in the air; we were within a few paces of their entrenchments, and they poured forth the most deadly fire imaginable. Well, how any of us got out of it is a mystery; it was only the darkness that saved us. We only had one officer got back, M. Graham, and he was shot through the arm and body; so they have shifted us further back, awaiting more officers to come out. I could tell you lots more about if, but will wait until I get home. . . . . P.S.—Tell Taffy that both Corleys are prisoners, but don't know whether they are wounded or not." .
INTERESTING LETTER FROM A SUFFOLK SERGEANT.
....The following is an extract from a very interesting letter which has been received by Mrs. Briton of Bishops-road, Bury St. Edmund's, from Sergt. B. Bullett, 1st Battalion Suffolk Regiment, addressed from Naauwpoort Camp, Cape Colony, Natal, and dated the 14th of January. The writer says:—
...."Excuse me for writing to you, but I thought I would like to let you know that Harry (Sergt. Briton) is taken prisoner by the Boers. l am not sure if he is wounded, but some of the men in his company who were with him said they thought he was wounded, but I hope not. If he is I hope it may be slight, but he will have to remain where he is now till after the war is over. I suppose he is at Pretoria by now. We had altogether about 160 captured, including 12 sergeants, but I expect you have seen the account in the paper of the disaster which befel our Regiment. I managed to get out of it myself, without getting mixed up with the captured ones. I was on piquet with my company about 1,000 yards from where this happened, but I saw it all, and had to lay down behind rocks, as they were firing at us, but I did not got hit with any of them. We are away from where the fighting is going on now; we are awaiting some more officers from England before we can go up to the front again, but it will take some time before we shall be able to start again. I must tell you it was dreadful to hear the firing that morning. It seemed as if every one of our fellows must be shot, but they managed to get away with less killed than was expected. We had four officers, 28 rank and file killed, 21 wounded, and about 116 missing. Of course all these are in the Boers' hands. I must say it does not look pleasant out here yet, as we are not much forwarder than we were when we came out, but we have had some rough things to put up with since we have been out here. The week the fighting was going on with the Regiment I did not get the chance to take off my boots from one Sunday to another, so you can guess we have had it a bit rough. I don't mind it now, and I am getting used to it now, or I shall be by the time I get back to Bury St. Edmund's . . . . I must say we have not had much snow out this part yet. I don't suppose we shall get any, as it is rather too warm for snow . . . . We had one of our sergeants badly wounded in five places. His name is Palmer; he belongs to Bury, but he is getting on all right, although he wou't do any more fighting, as he has got a wound in tbe arm. You know Lnce.-Corp. Bowell who was at the Depôt. He is captured too. He was with the front company, and only 28 of that company came back out of the 100 so it broke the company up. George Wallace's brother Harry is captured . . . . He belongs to the police, and was called up with the Reserve from the police. I don't think any more Bury fellows dropped into it, but some fellows who live close to Bury and round about that part were killed or wounded . . . . I am enjoying the best of health out here, but have very nearly had enough of this country, as we can get nothing out here only what we get served out with by the Army officials. We have not seen any beer since we left England, only coming across on board ship, so I shall not know the taste of it when I come back again to Bury. .
....The following is an interesting extract from a letter written by Private A. Jones (of the Suffolk Regiment) to his wife, at 114, Eastgate-street:—"I am glad to say l am mending. I daresay you have seen by the papers our regiment have had bad luck; we had to fight at night, and it was a terrible sight, one that I shall never forget. We got within thirty yards of them when they opened a murderous fare on us; we stood in a heap, with fixed bayonets, and we remained there till we had orders to retire, and then explosive bullets lighted the air, and men were falling shot dead, gallantly fighting for their Queen and country. I was knocked down a rock fifteen feet deep, and injured the spine of my back. There were bullets all round me, one hit me on the hand and knocked my rifle out of it, and my water bottle was hit about seven different times, which really saved my life. I managed to crawl away, till I was found by three men of my regiment. after laying several hours exposed to the sun, but thank God I am improving a little now. As I was crawling away I expected to be shot every moment; it was dreadful. The Boers actually rob the dead of their clothing, and everything they possess; they are a treacherous lot. They rode up to our wouuded and shot them again, so you may guess what a murderous lot they are. I could not write to you last week as we were on a hill five days. We hadn't our boots or anything off, and had to drink water like mud. They were firing at us all the time. I am a very lucky man to be alive." .
....Another letter, which contains some interesting particulars containing the Suffolks, has been received from Private R. Bridges (son of Mr. Bridges, of 4, Churchgate-street), who joined the regiment on the Reservists being called up. The letter is addressed from Arundel, under date January 9th,, and was to the writer's wife. He says:—
...."I suppose you have been very uneasy about me since my regiment happened with the sad misfortune. Well, I will tell you all about it from the time we were under fire, till we were sent back to Arundel, after losing so many officers, and for rest. Well, we marched to Coles Kopje, and around it, to attack the Boers' flank. From the moment we went round the kopje we were under a very heavy fire, but we passed on until one position was gained, when we laid down, while A and B Companies took a position on a kopje commanding the Boer position. D Company went to a kopje on the left, to prevent a flank attack. This movement cut the Boer force off from their supplies, and as they could get nothing to eat and nothing to drink we expected the reinforcements to try and get through our lines, and carry them provisions. We were pretty busy all day, and at night laid down where we were. In the morning a large force of Boers advanced to try and get through, but after five hours' very heavy fighting we drove them back with great loss, and we laid down to rest and watch for any movements of the enemy, as our orders were to lay close. The next day the ambulance corps got work burying the dead. Seven carts were busy all day as casualties occurred. Friday we were busy all the morning, and at noon we were ordered to occupy a position on a kopje to the left. We went there and at night we received orders to join the battalion—half my company (C). Then it was cancelled, and we were to remain where we were, and a God-send it was too. The Colonel came and told us to be careful in the morning, as the cavalry, mounted infantry, and some guns would move out in front of us at daybreak, and the guns in the rear would shell the hill until 5. 30, when the regiment would storm it with the bayonet. So we laid down for the night. At 2.30 the enemy began a heavy rifle fire, and we wondered what was up. . . . . We moved off at 12.30 to attack the hill at 2.30, instead of 5.30. We had advanced to the foot of the hill in quarter column, when the men saw a red light on the right, and reported it. The Colonel said it was Colesberg Station, and kept on until near the top, when he sent a section round to see if anyone was there. They returned, having seen no one round the hill, and he ordered one company to the right, and one to the left, when he ordered the advance. He gave the order, and they began to move off, when a shot was fired, and then a volley, which took all H Company's front rank down; and what our losses were through that charge is 141 killed, wounded, and missing, and young Clark is one of them, and some more that come from Bury. . . . We are a lot better off where we are now." .
....The following is an extract from a letter received by Mr. B. Hazell, 35, Bishop's-road, Bury St. Edmund's, from Private A. B. Clarke, a Suffolk Reservist, whose home is at Mayne-water-square, Bury St. Edmund's:—"I suppose you have heard all about that affair which the regiment was in; it was a very bad mistake. The regiment was marched up, about one o'clock in the night, and it was nearly pitch dark, and when we got 30 paces of the enemy the sentry fired a signal shot, and then they were up into action, and then the charge was made. It was a terrible hill; there were about five or six times the number of them to what there were of us; the Col. did not think there were so many of them there. Dear chum, it was a hot place up at Colesberg; well, we were just outside, and I see they are still just outside; it will take something to take that. We never had a wash or sleep for eight or nine days, and I did feel all right; we were up day and night. Plenty of shot and shell from Long Tom and the others. Bert, the first time my company went into action by themselves was when we went after some trucks, but we did not get them after all; they shelled them so they all caught fire and burnt up to nothing. We were within 600 or 700 yards of them; they were on a hill; they always let you get close to them before they fire at you in case you do turn back, but when Long Tom came buzzing over our heads we did run about 100 yards to our front, and got in a trench and stopped there. There were plenty of bullets dropping round our feet, but somehow we did not get hit. They were firing at us for five-and-a-half hours, and wounded one through the back and arm, and killed five horses; we were altogether; the one who got shot is doing well. I think we did more than they did. When it got dark we retired; I thought we were done for. Dear chum, in that night attack my brother got taken a prisoner; I don't think he is wounded, but if it had been daylight I don't think there would have been one man got back at all. Major Graham got back, but he was wounded twice; he is doing well. Sergt. Palmer got shot five times, he also is doing well. We lost 160 altogether; we don't know who are dead, wounded, or missing out of the privates. Dear chum, we are seven miles off the enemy now, and as soon as we are made up with officers we shall go up again. We are not going to be frightened by the Boers, and we will try our best now we are here."
....In a postscript the writer adds an extract from a newspaper respecting the late Colonel of the Suffolks:—"In Colonel Watson the regiment and country have sustained an irreparable loss. His one thought day and night was for the good name of the regiment and for the welfare and comfort of the battalion entrusted to his charge. Up early and late to bed, his work was incessant. He died as he would have wished to die, at the head of his battalion, with his face to the enemy, and accompanied by the other officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, whom we now mourn. Let their memory be ever green in the hearts of the survivors as a bright example of fearlessness and duty nobly done." .
....The following interesting letter has been received by Mr. Chaarles Capp, tailor, of Woolpit, from Private George Cook, a rural postman and a reserve man, who is at the front. The writer was reported wounded after the disaster to the Suffolk Regiment. The letter is as follows:— ...."Dear Chum,—Just a few lines, hoping they will find you quite well as it leaves me at present. I did not think that I would have the pleasure, Charlie old boy, in writing to you, but you see I have managed a few, and think myself lucky that l am alive to do it. We were all sound asleep in our tents when there was an order come for us to get up and dress ourselves, and to march off in half hour's time; so we all fell in. Then the Colonel came and told us we were to go and take a hill, and a hill it was, too; it was about three miles from our tents, so off we marched; we had to put our slippers on so we should not make any noise while we were marching. We stopped now and then to listen, but we never saw anybody until we nearly got to the bottom of the hill, and then we saw two Boers on horses, but they soon disappeared; so off we went again and started up the hill. We kept on saying there were no Boers on the hill, but we were sucked in, for as soon as we reached the top there was a rifle shot and then one of our fellows fell, and soon after that there was about 500 more shots fired, and down went a lot more of our chaps; it was a sickening sight to see some of them shot through the head and all over them. I was in the front rank, but I was one of the lucky ones; so they kept on firing on us till there was hardly one left; them that did not get shot dead were wounded; myself for one, but mine was nothing. So someone gave the word retire, and off we came; how we got down the hill God knows, I don't. I know I fell three or four times and got a sprained ankle and a few splinters. There was only 17 of my company returned out of 107; so that will let you know what a fix we were in. All the time we were coming down the hill the shots were flying all around us; there was 30 killed, 11 wounded, and 10 slightly wounded, and also 107 missing or taken prisoners, and we also lost the colonel, adjutant, and two more officers, and seven officers prisoners; so we lost 11 officers altogether. We are now a long way from the fighting, as they sent us back on account of us losing so many. I suppose you have seen it in the papers. I have had a week's rest, so I am all right again, and as well as ever I was, but I thought, old chap, that it was the last morning I should ever see, as it seemed as if the bullets could not miss me ; but they did. It was a good job it was dark. If it had not been I suppose the lot of us would have been shot down. But the artillery gave it to them after we got back; they shelled them, and they say that arms and Iegs were flying all over the shop. I don't know how long we are going to be out here, but I can tell you I have had nearly enough of it. When we were to the front all we had to eat was bully beef and biscuits, and thought ourselves lucky if we got a little sleep in the night. It is very hot out here of a day time, and it would freeze you awfully of a night. I have had two or three wets through, and had to dry our things as we could, as we have only one suit of clothes with us, as the others were left at Cape Town. I have also been a teetotaller since I left England, only because I could not get any. I should like to be with you and the old chums now, having a glass with you at Stanley's. Kindly remember me to Mr. and Mrs. Stanley, Mr. Gooch, Walter, and all the other old chums. So now I will close, hoping these few lines will find you and all other friends in the best of health, and longing for the time to come again when we can have a bumper together, are the wishes of your affectionate chum, George."
...."P.S.—Excuse writing, as I am writing this on the ground."
All the above letters were in The Bury and Norwich Post, Tuesday 13th February 1900
. .... We have received from South Africa the following account of the performance of the last rites of the Church over the fallen Suffolks:—
....On Tuesday, the 6th of March, exactly two months to the day after the disaster that befel the Suffolk Regt. on the hill that hence-forward will be called Suffolk Hill (but was formerly known by Colesberg residents as Mount Ephraim), an impressive burial service was conducted by tbe Rev. C. Usher Wilson, rector of Colesberg and acting chaplain to the forces, in memory of all the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of tbe Suffolk Regiment who were killed in action round Colesberg. The friends of the men who lost their lives in their too eager attempt to capture this hill, in the early morn of the 6th of January, will be glad to know that the memorial service was a very solemn one and one that will never be forgotten by any who attended it.
....The hill stands a good mile out of the town, and after a visit to the spot anyone can understand the desire of General French to secure possession of such a vantage point, commanding as it does the plain that extends in a semi-circle round it, stretching away some 2,000 yards northwards from the foot of the hill and crossed by the roads leading to Colesberg Bridge, Buffels Vlei, and Rietfontein, the Railway Junction and rail to Norvals Pont and the road to the Colesberg Bridge. Looking in the opposite direction the town is in view, walled in by its kopjes, and utterly at the mercy of any guns planted on this hill.
....Considering tbe distance from town it was surprising how many people had taken the trouble to walk in the heat across the veldt to be present at the ceremony, and the proportion of ladies, who had come to pay their respects to the brave departed, was large. A good number of the officers and men of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and of the Colonial troops at present camped near the town, attended the service. A number of natives also walked out to witness the unusual sight.
....The names of the officers who fell were—Colonel Watson, Lieut. and Adjutant Wilkins, Lieut. Carey, and Lieut. White. These with 34 men lie buried in this one grave.
....Arriving at the graveside, a square was formed round it. At the head stood Major Cubitt, Capts. Lloyd and Clifford, and Pvts. Corbett and Rodger, Suffolk Regiment, and Capt. Gregson, lately attached to the Suffolk Regiment. At the foot were the pipers and buglers of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, on the left the firing party and other troops, and opposite, on the other side of the grave, the Rev. C. Usher Wilson, the choir, and people of Colesberg. The first part of the service was the blessing of the grave, followed by the funeral service of the Church of England, which was fully choral. The thirty-ninth Psalm was chanted by the choir, and after the lesson, the hymn No. 401 in the Ancient and Modern Hymn Book, "Now the Labourer's Task is Oe'r" was beautifully rendered, and the office proceeded with. Before the grace, hymn No. 537, "Peace, Perfect Peace" was sung, and the effect on the still hill-side in tbe bright morning was particularly solemn.
....At the conclusion of the service three volleys were fired by a party supplied by the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and between the volleys the pipers of the same regiment played the plaintive strains of "The Land of the Leal."
....The buglers then sounded "The Last Post," and the ceremony concluded by all joining in singing the National Anthem.
....The grave has an oblong shaped mound of earth, with sloping sides raised over it, and on tbe flat top surface the Berkshire Regiment have placed a cross, formed of rough rounded stones, taken from the kopje on which the brave dead met their death. The ground surrounding the grave for some little distance is enclosed, also by stones taken from the hill. At the head of the grave, on a piece of rough wood, are inscribed the following words:— ....After the ceremony, several floral tributes were laid on the grave. Some of them bore no names, but amongst those to which cards were attached was a wreath from the Officers of the Suffolk Regiment, another from the officers and men of the Argyll and Sutherland Regiment in camp, Colonels Dick and Major Scott. Mrs. Jno. Andrews sent a wreath with the text, "And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels." Another wreath bore the legend, "From the British Ladies," and yet another from Miss Praed, with the words "Peace, Perfect Peace." Miss Campbell also placed a wreath on the grave.
....The troops marched off, the townspeople slowly wended tbeir way back, and some children gathered round to pick up the empty cartridge cases of the firing party as reminders of the scene they had witnessed.
....It is understood that the officers and men of the regiment have decided to have the grave properly enclosed and a suitable monument erected, and they may rely upon the residents of Colesberg seeing that tbe sacred spot is well cared for, and an attempt made to induce some trees to grow on the hill side.
....The Suffolk Regiment will be for ever grateful to the Berkshire Regiment for the care they took of the grave on the re-occupation of Colesberg, and to the Rev. C. Usher Wilson, the people of Colesberg, and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders for so kindly helping with the Burial Service.
....Captain Brown died of his wounds in Colesberg on Monday, the 8th January, and was buried the following day, in the old grave-yard, at the entrance to the town and on the left of the main road. The grave, is by the side of that of an officer of H.M. service—Major Dugald Ducat, 91st Regiment, who died in 1843.
....Privates C Hackett, C. Webb, T. Arnull, Radley, and Skeet, who died of their wounds in Colesberg, were buried side by side in ground destined to become the new cemetery; it is on the opposite side of the road to the old one. Sergt. Baker and Prvt. Forge, killed in the engagement on the 4th January, were buried at tbe foot of the hill on which they fell, about two miles east of Colesberg.
The Bury and Norwich Post, Tuesday 3rd April 1900
. . ....We have received for publication the following interesting letter from a Sergeant in tbe Suffolk Regiment, now serving in South Africa, but in accordance with his request, we refrain from publishing his name:— ....Dear Sir,—I write to ask if you will kindly contradict the fantastic statement taken from the Bath paper Bladud, anent the Suffolk Regiment, which appeared in your issue of 9th October.
....It speaks of General French's sympathetic speech as having been given at Pan, whereas it was on the "occupation of Middelberg."
....It perverts the history of the reverse probably unintentionally, so I give a few hard facts here, which the ordinary reader will easily grasp.
....On the night of 5-6th January last, four Companies (11 officers and 354) anticipated an attempt on the Colesberg position by about four hours, and moved out at 12.30.
....The Boer commander (Van Dam), with tbe Bethlehem and Kroonstadt commandoes, and 300 Rand Police, were on the qui-vive, having been warned that night by a Cape policeman (Else) (who bas since been tried by court-martial).
....The Suffolk Companies on gaining the first crest of Rooi Kop, were met by a murderous fire. H Company, leading, charged to their front and lost heavily. A Company made a second rush, which also failed. As the Boer fire increased in volume and extent, Col. Watson ordered a retirement to cover to save further loss, and knowing that the hill would be shelled by our own artillery (which actually took place later). About half the men only heard the order, owing to the heavy firing, and retired to cover at the foot of the hill, and remained there some time. They got a cross fire from the town ridges, and when the 4th Field Battery opened on the hill also, they retired up nullahs, etc., the best way they could. About 120 remained on the position, keeping up a hot fire. The Colonel, rocket-stick in hand, gathered some men together, and actually made a third rush just before daybreak. He was shot by an explosive bullet through the head, and his helmet, with half the front of it gone, bears testimony to the manner of his death. The Companies had 9 officers, and 88 others killed and wounded (and not 23 as so often stated), itself bearing witness to the severity of the action.
....When Col. Watson found only a portion of his force had retired, he urged all back in his vicinity, and told Corporal Dowe to go to both flanks and tell all to retire. This the Corporal obeyed, but was detained by a Captain who positively refused to retire with his men; thus preventing the daybreak attack by the artillery and cavalry, who, it might be mentioned, did not stir to the assistance of the hard pressed detachment, and when they surrendered after a four hours' fight, all ammunition expended and enclosed on three sides, the enemy hurried them away to Buffelo-Vlei, saying that they knew of the troops 4,000 yards away, and that there would be heavy fighting that day; needless to say nothing occurred further beyond a little shelling.
....Capt. Brett, the senior officer (shot through the lungs), decided on surrender, and when the Boers shew themselves on all sides some of our men fired on them in mistake. General Schoeman admitted 25 killed and wounded, including the lamented Lieut. D. Mare (Rand Police), who was shot though the head, and afterwards buried with great ceremony at Johannesberg. Accounts differ as to the number of the enemy engaged, the Intelligence Department putting it down from 900 to 1,300, and they were reinforced twice during the night.
....As regards the Regiment being sent to Port Elizabeth, the facts are that a detachment of 300, under Major Cubitt, proceeded there for duty in relief of the 1st Welsh Regiment, who had been 10 weeks at that station. The detachment, however, only stayed 15 days, when it left for De Aar. Five Companies were at Arundel and Tweedale in the Colesberg district. Since then the Battalion has been many times in action, and served under the following Generals, etc.: Lord Kitchener, General Settle, Colonel Adye, General Knox, General Maxwell, General Smith-Dorrien, Colonel Pilcher, General Hutton, Colonel Mahon, and Colonel Dickson, and been commended by most of them.
....The reputation of the Regiment has never suffered amongst those conversant with it. It can well take care of itself, and needs no white-washing, the only thing was that instead of the reverse being smoothed over by the traditional process, it received shabby and inaccurate treatment from the Press, and disdained to reply to scurrilous attacks, and did not wish to say anything that could reflect in the least on their gallant Colonel's memory. Of the 36 wounded prisoners, most are back at duty with the Battalion, and marched lately from Avoca to Pretoria, 280 miles, in inclement weather. Many of them have two and three Mauser scars to show.
....Suffolk folks can rest assured that no court of inquiry could prove a single instance of misbehaviour on the part of their county Battalion.
The Bury and Norwich Post, Tuesday 18th December 1900

A couple of old postcards. Both views show that the inscriptions were originally coloured black, but now gone.