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The 17th Lancers served in every area of South Africa during the war.


Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (4) Cape Colony, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen (4112, Corpl. A. Crocker, 17/Lcrs.);
KSA (2) (4112 Serjt: E. Crocker. 17th Lancers) suspension claw re-pinned;
British War and Victory Medals (Condr. A. E. Crocker, Remt Dept.);
Army LS&GC (Staff-Serjt. A. E. Crocker I.M.L.);
Meritorious Service Medal, GV 1st issue (S.Sjt.-A.Sub: Condr:- A. E. Crocker. I.M.L.)

MSM London Gazette 12 December 1919 (Mesopotamia).

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (4) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Defence of Mafeking, Transvaal (4128 Corpl: Shg: Sth: A. Robertson. 17th Lancers

MID Lord Roberts 4 September 1901, and in General Orders, Mafeking, 15 May 1900 by Major E. H. Cecil, Chief Staff Officer:

‘Gallantry. - With reference to his remarks on Saturday’s defeat of the enemy in their attack on Mafeking, the Colonel Commanding wishes to place on record the following cases of gallantry and good service that have come to his notice:-

...(b) Lieutenant C. Bridges was ordered by Captain FitzClarence to take a few men and go and remove the Reserve Ammunition from the magazine near BSAP Fort to a place of safety. Lieutenant Bridges took with him Farrier Corporal Robinson, 17th Lancers; Shoeing Smith Robertson, 17th Lancers; Trooper S. Duberly, Trooper Cullis, all of “D” Squadron, Protectorate Regiment, and Corporal Globensky, “A” Squadron. On arriving near the magazine the party found that the enemy had succeeded in occupying the BSAP Fort within 400 yards of the magazine. However, this in no way daunted them, and under a heavy fire, by which one of them, Trooper Duberly, was killed, they successfully removed six boxes of ammunition. Lieutenant Bridges was wounded later in the day when in action with his troop.’

Three men of the 17th Lancers, all shoeing smiths, were present at the defence of Mafeking serving in the Protectorate Regiment. In each case the medal roll shows Cape Colony crossed out as not entitled but this clasp has been present on all three known surviving medals (Kelland, Robertson and Robinson).

From the next City Coins auction, November 2020

Modderfontein, 17 September 1901

Douglas Haig’s account (from a letter to his sister, Henrietta, 22 September 1901):

“You will have heard ere this of the terrible losses C Squadron 17th Lancers sustained on Tuesday last. I trained the regiment from Stormberg to Tarkastad to head Smuts’ commando which had broken SW from near Dordrecht. The Squadron in question under a most capable officer (Sandeman) was holding a position about 14 miles [22,5km] from Tarkastad to prevent the enemy coming south. I was out with the squadron on the previous day (Monday) when it marched from Tarkastad. The weather for several days had been terribly wet. However, it cleared for an hour about 3 o’clock and Sandeman lunched with me (off some of those nice tin things you sent me from Cabbett) on the fatal koppie on which next day so many poor fellows were killed. I got back to Tarkastad at 9pm. Next morning was very foggy. However, his patrols reconnoitred the two passes at the exits of which Sandeman had his camp. All was reported clear, but about noon a message was sent to Sandeman that the Boers were advancing to attack his camp. A troop moved out at once. The officer in charge of it saw some men in khakee [sic] whom he took to be some of Gorringe’s column which was expected north of the post. These men levelled their rifles at him when about 200 yards [180m] distant. He shouted to them ‘Don’t fire. We are the 17th Lancers.’ (These irregular corps often fire at one another by mistake.)

The Boers, as such they proved to be, opened fire at once and emptied several saddles. Before the troop got back to camp the enemy had worked up a donga to the rear of the camp. Again, their khakee [sic] dress assisted them. They were now between Sandeman’s squadrons and another squadron which was about three miles [4,8km] distant. Seeing khakee [sic] dressed men in rear of camp, they were allowed to approach quite close before fire was opened on them. Our men held the position to the last, and not a man surrendered. Out of 130 men, 29 were killed and 41 wounded. The other men were still fighting when the next squadron came to their support and the enemy made off. All the officers were either killed or wounded.”

The 17th Lancers lost more men killed in action on that day than on any other single day in its long history, including even the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaklava in 1854!

QSA (4) CC, Jhburg, D Hill, Witt (4656 Pte. J. Naughton, 17/Lcrs), engraved naming;
[ KSA ]

Pte Naughton was slightly wounded in the Modderfontein attack.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (4) Cape Colony, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen, (5116 Pte F. Enders. 17/Lcrs)
[ KSA (2) ]

Listed by Spink with the surname Wenders.

No service papers available.

Picture courtesy of Lockdales

QSA (4) CC/Joh/DH/Witt (5207 Pte A Phemister 17/Lcrs).

Died 15th October 1900 at Kroonstad.

Clasps verified on WO100/118p138.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (4) Cape Colony, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen (3838. Pvte. W Taylor. 17. Lcrs.),

Spink say 'Private Taylor (also shown on the Roll as Lance-Corporal) is confirmed on same Medal Roll with entitlement to these four clasps.'

WO100/118p146 refers.