TOPIC:

Charles Flood served in no fewer than four different Colonial outfits in the Boer War before settling down in the Natal Police.

Charles Phillip Lawrence Flood

Driver, Natal Field Artillery
Corporal, Commander in Chief’s Bodyguard
Trooper, Natal Mounted Rifles
Trooper, Natal Voluntary Composite Regiment – Anglo Boer War
Trooper, Natal Police – Bambatha Rebellion

- Natal Medal with 1906 clasp to Tpr. C.P.L. Flood, Natal Police

There was nothing odd about Charles Flood enlisting for service in uniform – he was, after all, the son of a man who had fought as a Colour Sergeant in the Crimea with the 48th Foot departing the army after 21 years. Most likely born in Ireland in about 1879 to John Flood and his wife Margaret he would have emigrated with his parents to South Africa at some point late in the 1870’s. Flood senior had continued on in the Militia until 1877.

On arrival in their new country the family had settled in the Colony of Natal where Mr Flood originally applied in 1880 for the post of Caretaker of the Durban Magazine in 1880 before gaining employment in Port Natal (Durban) as the Toll Keeper on the Umbilo side of the fast-growing town. Durban in those days had four Toll Gates covering every possible access point to the town and the Umbilo one took care of those coming in from the south of the Colony.

Less than 20 years later, on 11 October 1899 the British Empire was at war with the Boer Republics of the Transvaal and Orange Free State and one of the Boers first targets was Natal which they invaded days after war commenced. Charles Flood, by now a 21 year old Coachbuilder, lost no time in attesting for service with the Natal Field Artillery which, with its puny little guns, was deployed in one of the most seminal actions of the war – the battle of Elandslaagte. Assigned no. 104 he was mustered as a Driver.

On 21 October 1899 the N.F.A. and its six seven-pounder rifle muzzled loading screw guns which were of Anglo Zulu War vintage, were deployed on a low ridge to the west of Elandslaagte Station. At about 09h30 they opened fire on the Boers who could clearly be seen wandering around the station area. One of the shells hit the railway carriage carrying new furniture for the Mine Manger of the nearby Colliery, Mr David Harris, while another fell near the Boer Ambulance. Walter Herald, who was an acting ambulance assistant to the Boers noted that,

“The third shell burst close by, and part of it went bang through the wagon in which I was dressing, and was within a foot of finishing my little career. A few more shots came near us, when the Boers began to fire from the kopjes, revealing their position, so the Battery turned their fire on them. After half an hour’s firing, which the Boers returned with interest, the British retired over the hillside.”

The little guns employed by the N.F.A. were as pop guns to cannon in comparison with the deadly Boer Artillery which soon found their range with 2 shells exploding around the N.F.A. Battery. One of these shells badly damaged the team and gear of the ammunition wagon fortunately not igniting it; the damage was however extensive enough for the wagon to be abandoned. The Boer shells continued to fall for about 10 minutes on the ridge occupied by the N.F.A., but thankfully for the Natalian gunners, many of the Boer shells were incorrectly fused and buried themselves in the soft earth before exploding. The N.F.A. guns futile attempt to engage the Boer artillery on the ridge at Elandslaagte was also commented on by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,

“... the six little guns lay back at their extreme range, and all barked together in impotent fury.”

General Sir John French assessed the situation and ordered the Battery to withdraw and cover the armoured train at Modderspruit Station, as far as is known they took no further part in the Battle of Elandslaagte.

The N.F.A. were back in action again in what was to be described as “Mournful Monday” and was tasked to take part in the assault force assembled for the sortie to destroy the Boer guns on Lombard’s Kop on the nights of the 7th and 8th December 1899 but did not go into action leaving later that first night for Colenso. They, together with the Durban Light Infantry and the Dublin Fusiliers were stationed at the towns of Colenso and Estcourt to protect the Colony of Natal where they were frequently involved in minor skirmishes with the enemy. After the Relief of Ladysmith the N.F.A. served with Lord Dundonald’s Cavalry Division until the Natal Volunteer Brigade was disbanded in October 1900.

Flood was with them throughout but now found himself at a loose end. After a short break he turned his attention to the Commander in Chief’s Bodyguard completing the Attestation Papers to join their ranks on 22 November 1900. Assigned no. 351 and the rank of Corporal he commenced service with this outfit and was operational with them in the Orange Free State and Eastern Transvaal until taking his discharge at Pietermaritzburg on 21 May 1901.

Still not quite done with a life in uniform he set his sights on the Natal Mounted Rifles which he joined as a Trooper in No. 1 Squadron with no. 446 in June 1901 but, finding that they were no longer employed in the front line, he joined the Natal Voluntary Composite Regiment on 8 April 1902 serving with them until the end of the Boer War on 31 May 1902.

For his services in no fewer than four colonial outfits Flood was awarded the Queens South Africa Medal with clasps Transvaal, Elandslaagte, Tugela Heights and the Relief of Ladysmith. Having served for more than 18 months he was also awarded the Kings South Africa Medal with both date clasps.

Free to go his own way Flood drifted along until, on 16 May 1903, almost a year after he had last donned a uniform, he enlisted with the Natal Police at Pietermaritzburg and was assigned no. 3001 and the rank of Trooper. Providing his mother as his next of kin his entry in the N.P. register reflected that he was a “Zulu Linguist” and that he was in possession of an “Exemplary Discharge” from the Voluntary Composite Regiment as well as a “Very Good” discharge from the Commander in Chief’s Bodyguard. Initially posted to Ladysmith he was soon in trouble – in March 1904 he was Fined 10/- and Reprimanded by Inspector Prendergast for “Entering a canteen while in uniform and while on duty.”

Natal in the years immediately after the Boer War was an unhappy place financially – the war had been a huge drain on the meagre resources of the Colonial government and many and varied schemes were looked at to increase the Colony’s revenue. One such was a hut tax to be imposed on all black males and which was to be collected by the various Magistrates spread throughout Natal with the assistance of the Natal Police, should any trouble arise, and the help of the Zulu Chiefs who would be required to collect the tax and bring it in to the Magistrates.

Implementation of this scheme came in early 1906 and there were problems from the outset. A particularly truculent young Zulu Chief, Bambatha of the Zondi clan in the Greytown/Kranskloof area was unhappy with the arrangement and openly went about the land fomenting resistance. This overflowed into open rebellion and the Natal Militia, along with the Natal Police, were called out to quell the uprising. Quite what role Flood played in the whole affair is unknown but he qualified for and was awarded the Natal (or Bambatha) Rebellion Medal with 1906 clasp for his efforts.

The Rebellion over he returned to his normal Police duties and was stationed at Woodcote in the Natal Midlands (literally in the back of beyond). With boredom and loneliness his constant companions it was small wonder that Flood turned to drink for solace. On 3 February 1908 he was found guilty of Drunk in Camp by his old nemesis, Inspector Prendergast and fined £1. A month later, on 10 March 1908 he was found guilty of “Neglect of duty on 8/3/08 and failing to perform certain duty ordered of him by Sgt. Graham viz. to make enquiries at the Gaol re: Native women and, secondly, Returning to the Camp drunk.” This would seem to have been the last straw and Flood was discharged from the Natal Police, services no longer required, backdated to 18 February 1908. His conduct was described as “Very Good latterly Indifferent” – showing just how far he had sunk in the estimation of his superiors.

Disgraced, Flood took himself off to the Transvaal where he most likely sought employment on the mines. Perhaps as a result of the excesses of drink and a hard life Flood passed away in Germiston at the young age of 29 on 14 May 1909. His father survived him passing away on 15 December 1915 at the ripe old age of 90.

Hi Rory......

Another great piece...... Hhhhh uuuuu mmmmmmm for some reason that name Flood reminds me of something will have to sleep on it......

Mike

QSAMIKE wrote: Hi Rory......

Another great piece...... Hhhhh uuuuu mmmmmmm for some reason that name Flood reminds me of something will have to sleep on it......

Mike

Found it......

I have record of a Flood, of HMS Monarch..... That's where I thought of the name......

Mike