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A howitzer battery.

Arrived in Natal after Colenso.  Took part in the fighting about Potgeiter's Drift and Spion Kop, the engagement at Vaal Krantz, and in the final effort to relieve Ladysmith.  In these and in the turning movement via Helpmakaar, Alleman's Nek, Bergendal, and other actions, the 61st did good work.  In his despatch of 13th September as to Bergendal, General Buller said the howitzer-fire was "particularly effective".  The battery accompanied General Buller to Lydenburg and took part in the engagements in that neighbourhood.  In his despatch of 30th March 1900 and his final despatch, General Buller very highly praised Major Hamilton Gordon and his battery's work, and mentioned another officer and 2 non-commissioned officers.  In 1901 the battery remained in the Eastern Transvaal.  One gun was with General Walter Kitchener and one with Colonel Benson, the others being on the lines of communication.  In December 1901 the battery, and five others, namely, the 37th, 65th, 43rd, 86th, and 87th, all howitzer, were converted into a battalion of Mounted Rifles under Colonel Dunlop.  They covered the construction of the Heilbron-Botha's Pass blockhouses, and then took part in numerous drives in the north-east of the Orange River Colony under Colonel Byng and Colonel Garratt (See 87th Battery).

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(55 Records)

 Surname   Forename/inits   Regimental no   Rank   Notes 
AlsfordP 18868Driver Died of enteric at Mooi River. 8 Apr 1900.
Source: Natal Field Force Casualty Roll, page 23 line 11
AlsfordP18868DriverDemise: Died of disease - enteric fever 08 Apr 1900
Place: Mooi River
Source: In Memoriam by S Watt
AylingW9981Battery Sergeant MajorSource: DCM recipients
BosherJ 77377Gunner Killed at Ladysmith. 26 Feb 1900.
Source: Natal Field Force Casualty Roll, page 23 line 3
BosherJ77377GunnerDemise: Killed in action 24 Feb 1900
Place: Tugela Heights. Colenso Koppies
Source: In Memoriam by S Watt
BottingC22779GunnerDied of disease. Pretoria, 18 January 1901
Source: South African Field Force Casualty Roll
BottingE E22779GunnerDemise: Died of disease 16 Jan 1901
Place: Pretoria
Source: In Memoriam by S Watt
BowenR28032BombardierSlightly wounded. Machadodorp, 16 January 1901
Accident
Source: South African Field Force Casualty Roll
BrennanP18685GunnerDemise: Died of injuries - accident 24 Feb 1901
Place: Elandsfontein
Source: In Memoriam by S Watt
BrennanR18685GunnerDied of wounds. Elandsfontein, 24 February 1901
Accident
Source: South African Field Force Casualty Roll
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61st Battery
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