Border Mounted Rifles Gray diary

From the diary of L.H.Gray LS Historical Society

 

Sept 29 1899 mobilised, reached Richmond on 30^th. 1^st October arrived PMB camped near station. Arrived LS 2^nd.

13^th October patrolled to within sight of Van Reenans.

No.1 squad out to Dewdrop farm; no.2 squad on to Acton Homes; 17^th 2^nd squad rejoined 1^st.

Capt. Galway killed on 19^th, Mr Letheran guided troop in to LS

24^th Tintanyoni fight lost 2 men Brown & Neilson with 4 wounded, Mewllville, Strouse, Brown, Surmaan and Colin Stuart.

25^th Dundee rearguard comes in at 3.20.

30^th Corporal Trumpeter Alex Stuart hit in back by shrapnel cannister, Lt. Chapman NMR killed and Lt. Stuart BMR wounded  in foot. Capt Arnott arrived

2^nd November the camp is moved from the Show grounds to Hiscocks garden

3^rd November no. 1 squadron ordered out under Colonel Royston to take position on Star Koppie next to Wagon Hill.. Ant heap saved me by friend Goldstein hit in shoulder. Capt. Arnott, Edmunds and Thomas also wounded.5^th November sergeants Mapson’s funeral

11^th to 19^th NC & BMR picket from railway line to Caesars camp.22^nd cricket match BMR & NMR

2^nd December a NMR killed in street

4^th moved camp from Hitchcocks to Tathams.

7^th December 11pm moved out from Devons Post, 1, 2, 3 squadrons BMR took a line to left in half sections about 20 yards apart; NMR & NC a line to the right. Halted about halfway up Lombards kop for ½ hour whilst the storming party of NC, Natal Police, ILH and Sappers moved up in half sections. 2.30 the head of the middle line was challenged, shots followed and shouting & cursing for 5 minutes then explosion. Got back to Devons Post 4.30; ILH dead and BMR casualties.

8^th December sgt. Major Mapson shot in both legs.

19t/20^th Trumpeter on duty to warn of Umbulwane shells.

Xmas day-boiled fowl and barley for dinner; tobacco, rum and lime juice issued out.

26^th Edmuind Gray & Shuttleworth looted 2 horses and peaches & pears from no mans land.

31^st and first taste of horsemeat-very good-big fat carthorse killed by Sappers.

6^th January ordered out to support on Caesars camp; left horses with even numbers, odd numbers advanced and met Gordons-4 killed & 2 wounded out of 18

7^th Funeral of Fox & Lawson of No.2 troop and P Hulley & J Gold of No. 1 troop.

23^rd mention of Dug Giles & Mrs Fosters private hospital

14 February mention of Dr. Jemison

18 making blancmange out of starch; bread made of mealie meal, vasoline and Eno’s Fruit Salt.