Dick Seed Natal Police siege

EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARY OF SGT. DICK SEED NATAL POLICE

 

NOVEMBER:

22^nd: Poor old Duncanson killed whilst cooking our dinner; shell cut him nearly in two.

23^rd: Duncanson buried.

 

DECEMBER:

7^th: GUN HILL SORTIE: All had been arranged before hand ILH were to assault the centre of the hill. Police to guard the left flank & Carbineers & Natal Mounted Rifles the right; Border Rifles in support…… (after they reached the top)… Whilst this was going on both flanking parties were firing volleys into the Boer camp which lay in the rear of the hill…

10^TH: Spy caught signalling to Boers and shot

16^th: 1 gunner killed

27^th: 1 officer killed and 7 wounded of Devons regiment when a shell let in underground mess room.

 

JANUARY:

1^ST: Volunteers got a shell killing 1 cook.

8^th : Wounded Sgt. Woon shot in jaw and leg, Reg Rivett and Leite shot in ankle(refers to battle on 6^th).

14^th: Had dinner with Buddle

15^th: Dunlop died

 

FEBRUARY: Foss a big man in Ladysmith with strong Dutch tendencies was tried by General Court Martial for “using language calculated to discourage Her Majesty’s Troops” His sentence in orders today 12 months.

11^th: 1 man killed by shell today

 

MARCH: I saw in one place a handful of Irish Fusiliers all that is left of a regiment and a few of the Manchester standing in line both officers in command having their arms off.