ASC

The Army Service Corps served with the besieged force were under the command of Colonel E.W.D. Ward had a complement of five officers, ninety-six men and ninety six attendants, six horses and four hundred and fifty two mules. Their casualties during the siege are listed as two wounded, one missing presumed prisoner and five who died of disease.

Colonel Sir E.W.D. Ward KCB was Assistant Adjutant General with the Natal Field Force and was Director of Supplies in Ladysmith. With most of their supplies having been abandoned by General Yule at Dundee it fell upon Colonel Ward to supplement the meagre three month supply that was available in Ladysmith. Soon after the relief of Ladysmith, Ward was moved by Lord Roberts, on 20th March 1900, to his staff headquarters in Bloemfontein to assume a similar position.

The “rank” of Conductor was held by Warrant Officers Class 1 of the Stores Branch. This ancient title dates back to the days of the Board of Ordnance (abolished 1852) and is exclusive to the RAOC who became Royal in 1920. The rank took precedence over all other Warrant Officers in the Army and was the pinnacle of achievement for a man who started at the bottom.

Other companies served with the relief forces.

See Angloboerwar site for an in depth look at the ASC