TOPIC:

The DCM To Van Dyke Todd.

Van Dyke Todd was born in 1870 the son of George Todd and Edwina van Dyke of Jefferson, Texas, George had been a Cavalry Officer in the Army of the Confederacy during the American Civil War (War of Northern Aggression). Edwina passed away when Van dyke was just 2 years of age.
He was to attend Annapolis Naval Academy and was in the 4th class of the 1888-89 academic year when he resigned from the Academy and returned to Texas. In 1894 he married Mattie Bayse on 27th June 1894. The marriage did not last long, and we next see Van Dyke in the Marriage register of Marion Texas wedding a Miss Lina Pope on the 28th of August 1897, at that time he was still residing in Marion Texas. His time in Texas is not well known but it has been stated that he worked on cattle ranches before sailing to South Africa, where he engaged in the occupation of mining prior to war breaking out.
Todd first Joined Robert's Horse (Trooper 2145) on the 17th of January 1900, during the early stages of the Second Boer War and is listed on the medal roll entitled for a Queen's South Africa medal with clasps for the Relief of Ladysmith, Johannesburg, Paardeberg and Driefontein. He was to leave Roberts Horse Roberts Horse on 22nd April 1901. One can only speculate as to the reason, but he was to next enlist on 26th April 1901 in the Corps of Cattle Rangers, Regimental number 262. The CCR had somewhat of a mixed reputation and members of that unit were known for their recalcitrance. Todd was later to be discharged for misconduct on 25th November 1901, 1 of 38 so discharged. We next find Van Dyke Todd on the roll of the Imperial Light Horse and with the formation enlisting on 16thDecember 1901 as Trooper 2927 through until 26th June 1902,with whom he qualified for the Orange Free State and Transvaal clasps.

Todd's moment came during the disastrous battle of Sanna's Post, on 31 March 1900, in which De Wet's Commando ambushed a British mounted column under General Broadwood. This engagement saw the heroic stand of 'Q' Battery, Royal Horse Artillery which resulted in the award of four Victoria Crosses to Q Battery, and in the first use of Article 13 since the Indian Mutiny. Another VC was awarded to Lieutenant Francis Maxwell, 18th Bengal Lancers (after an intersession at court – his recommendation being at first rejected) who was instrumental in the recovery of several guns under heavy fire. It was in similar fashion that Todd won the D.C.M., volunteering to ride out of cover to round up horses to carry off the guns. The History of Lumsden's Horse, by H. H. S. Pearse, recounts his actions:

'The coolest deed of all, however, was done by an American named Todd, a Trooper in Robert's Horse. With a comrade he had first volunteered to go out and bring in some stray horses for the disabled guns. Before they had ridden fifty yards the second trooper was shot dead, but Todd galloped on straight towards the Boers, rounded up both horses, and had nearly brought them back when one was killed. (…) Todd heard an officer asking for volunteers to go out in search of their doctor who was lying wounded in a donga. Without waiting to hear more the trooper turned his horse's head towards the Boer lines again and galloped off. Twenty minutes later he rode back slowly, bearing a heavy burden in his arms. 'I couldn't see the doctor anywhere, he said 'but I have brought back the only wounded man that I found alive there.'
From the Action at Sanna’s Post, 3 DCM’s were awarded to Robert's Horse, those being to Sergeant J.C. Collins, and Troopers T. Murphy and Van Dyke Todd. Another award was presented for that action, 1 of the 4 scarves to the Colonial forces in South Africa hand worked by Queen Victoria to Trooper Chadwick, also an American serving. in that unit. Robert's Horse suffered losses of 1 officer and thirty other ranks killed, 6 officers and 50 other ranks wounded and 70 taken as prisoners of war.
Broadwood's dispatch of 08/02/1901 as follows:
:The following Officers, non-commissioned officers, and men risked their lives to save comrades under heavy fire :— Lieutenant-Colonel Pilcher, Northumberland 'Fusiliers. •-Captain Gore Anley, Essex Regiment. 4103 Corporal Lincoln, 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. - 4831 Private Evans, 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. ' Sergeant J. C. Collins, Roberts' Horse. Private T. Murphy, Roberts' Horse. • Private V. D. Todd, Roberts' Horse. I am forwarding detailed evidence in the case of such of the above &s seem worthy of the special consideration of the Commander-in Chief. ' - ' I have, &c., '•' . R. G. BROADWOOD. Brigadier-General,"
Todd was again Gazetted this time for his DCM on 27th September 1901
After the cessation of hostilities, Todd now 34 years old was to return to the United States on October 10, 1904 via the UK, and left Southampton bound for Ellis Island on the SS Germanic under the command of Captain C Y Bartlett. He arrived 30 days later and on arrival on Ellis Island listed his address as Johannesburg.
The intervening years up until the 1920 US Census are a bit of a mystery, but we next see him married for a 3rd time on February 20,1911, to Francis Edwina Waring born in Washington in 1888 and they have 3 daughters (Edwina, Alice and Margaret) and 1 son (George) on the 1920 census. Another son Ivan was born between 1920-30 census.
Sometime after he returned to the United States, Van Dyke must have done some deep reflection on his life as we next see him in 1911 (the same year he married) as a Pastor (Minister of religion) in the Baptist Church in California, and this calling was to be his legacy for the next 23 Years.
He was a registered voter and whilst he was a Democrat in his later years he was also a registered voter for the Abolitionist Party and sometime member of the Liberty party.
Van Dyke was to pass away on 29th November 1935 at 12.05pm. A transcript of his obituary is posted below.
Taken from The Pomona Progress Bulletin
29 Nov 1935, Free · Page
Death takes Local Pastor
Rev.Van Dyke Todd, aged 65,
Calvary Minister succumbs to illness.
The Rev. Van Dyke Todd, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, passed away at 12.05pm today at the family home, 571 W 7th Street, after 4 weeks of illness which followed a long period of poor health. He was 65 years of age.
For the last 2 years he has been pastor of Calvary Church, and for 3 years prior to that was pastor of Bethal Baptist Church.
Mr Todd was born is Jefferson Texas, June 8, 1870. He has lived in southern California for the last 25 years having come to this state from his birthplace and has held pastorates in various cities in California.
Surviving relatives are his widow, Van Dyke Jr, in Arkansas, and George T Todd now in US Navy Service; and 4 daughters Alice and Ivah M Todd Pomona, Edwina Santa Barbara, and Margaret Todd Colinga Calif.
Funeral arrangements will be announced by Todd and Reeves.”
The whereabouts of the QSA issued to Todd is unknown, it is not extant that I am aware of.