TOPIC:

Over the years, I've acquired two QSAs to troopers in E Divison of the SAC. Both were captured near Abrahamskraal in 1901. Can anyone shed light on what E Division of the South African Constabulary was doing in and around Abrahamskrall? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much in advance. Here are the details on the two troopers.


QSA with Cape Colony & Orange Free State clasps to: 1401. 2nd.CL. TPR. W. SMITH.S.A.C.
The recipient was taken prisoner of war near Abrahamskraal 11.03.1901 while serving with E Division of the South African Constabulary.

QSA with CC, OFS, SA01 and SA02 clasps to: 932. E. 3rd CL. TPR. E. MARSHALL, S.A.C.
The recipient was taken prisoner of war near Abrahamskraal 17.05.1901 while serving with E Division of the South African Constabulary.

Hello John

I think the official casualty rolls have yet another error. For the POWs of 11-03 the true date is 11 May, 1901. The event was widely reported in the newspapers occurring "about 45 miles north-west of Bloemfontein" they then mix it up with Abraham's Kraal just north of Paardeberg. The clip attached is from the Daily_Express_16_May_1901 - the 13 names including Smith match the 13 listed in the casualty rolls.

No detail yet on the action.

The Register will be updated and it appears a new location for The Gazetteer too.

Regards
Meurig

Azyeoman
Yes, that date had me puzzled, too. Details of the action of 11th May, details may be found in Hamish Ross's recently published book "Baden Powell's Fighting Police".
Regards
IL.

Thanks for the book title. I’ve just ordered a copy. I hope the book will shed some light on this. Since Trooper E Marshall wasn’t on the list of prisoners, he must have been captured elsewhere as his date of capture is later.
Thanks again!
John

Thanks again LinneyL. I have just received Ross' book Baden Powell's Fighting Police The S.A.C. and it indeed has information on the events in May 1901.
All the best,
John

John
Yes, I found the book to be of considerable interest; setting out as it does the formation, structure and general operations of the SAC. A unit I must say I had not read much about prior to Ross' book.
Best regards
IL.