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Hello all

I have a City of London Police 1902 medal to an ex-Royal Marine Artilleryman, Sidney Randolph Beesley. He was part of the naval brigade sent by HMS Powerful and his records state he was present at Belmont and then wounded-in-action at Enslin. He did not make old bones, dying in 1905 whilst in police service.

Would the RMA detachment from Powerful have been manning the landed artillery pieces during that battle, or did they serve as infantry? And if anyone has any further information I'd be delighted to receive it.

Thanks very much for any help.
Richard

The Naval Brigade composed as follows:

Commander Ethelston of H.M.S. 'Powerful' in command.
Major Plumbe, R.M.L.I., of H.M.S. 'Doris' 2nd in command.
9 Naval officers.
53 bluejackets.
7 Marine officers.
290 N.C.O.'s and men of the Royal Marines.
The guns were two 12-pounder 8-cwt. guns on ordinary field mountings.

Later it was increased to something like 400 of all ranks—half of these being marines ; four 12-pounder 12-cwt. guns on improvised mountings (Scott's), with guns' crews, stokers for stretcher-bearers, and a medical staff.

The Royal Marines manned some of the guns or escorted and supported them, but that did not require all of them (200) so some fought as infantry would.

You should read Naval Brigades in the South African War by Jeans available on the Books section of this website.

Thank you very much for the information and taking the time to reply. I wondered if he was serving in an infantry role due to his being WIA, as by my understanding the naval brigade had to advance towards the Boers.

Richard

The book will tell you a lot, plus the official history plus Conan-Doyle. All on the books section.