Diary relating to the Boer War service of Corporal Harold Edward 'Pompey' Elliott Part 2

few and were for a considerable time
exposed to heavy fire in the open during
which Major Harke's horse and two others were
shot  wounded and one killed. Several men had their clothing
cut with by bullets but no one hurt was hit
except one  man  who hand was grazed by splinters of explosive bullet
Enemy subsequently escaped to S.W.
24^th Enemy estimated at 300.
24^th Marched about 16 miles to the North
as large body of enemy reported there
25^th Returned about 30 miles to Steynsburg
26^th Marched S.E. along the line towards
Rosmead "D" Squadron patrolling on
our right in the Zuurberg Range
and found two wounded Boers at
farmhouse result of 23rd fight.
26^th Marched 10 miles S.E along the line
towards Rosmead to Thebus
27^th Marched 12 miles along the line to
Schoombee. Two native Scouts captured 
and shot by Boers and squadn patrolling Zuuberg mts captured two are prisoners. Forty men of
2 "C" Squadron under Capt Irving and
Lieut Gilpin attempted to surprise
a party of Boers at night. They failed
to do so

28^th Remained all day at Schoombee
29^th Marched 15 miles N.W. to Hennings
Valley. "D" Squadron Patrolling Zuurberg
Range on our right. "C" Squadron sent to
patrol N at 6 pm. "E" Squadron Sent to
patrol N.W. at 6 p.m. At 10 pm "C" Squadron
got surprised Boers camp. Opened fire &
killing 4 horses and wounding 3 others
4 Boers reported killed next day.
However "C" Squadron retired about mile as its position
was indefensible. "E" Squadron got in touch
with Boers also and retired to camp at
Hennings Valley.
30^th "C" Squadron sent patrol under
Sergeant Sandford to feel enemys position
About 500 Boers seen returning through
pass. Sandford's party subjected to
heavy fire from ambushed party of Boers
Had to Retire. Tpr Sullivans horse
fell and Sandford brought him out
of action. Sandford recommended for
V..C.. Small party of Boers passed
on "C" Squadn right rear. and were
fired on and cleared into ranges.
 

main body of Boers retired unmolested
through through the pass. "D" Squadron
now joined "C" also 3 guns and 30
mounted men of 'Creave's Column
Whole advanced after Boers. fo "E"
Squadron joined them. But finding
country very difficult whole made
detour to left and rejoined Henniker
at Weltervereden late at night.
31^st Marched 10 miles to N. East camped
Apr. 1.
Marched 25 Miles E.S.E to
Vlacfontein near scene of fight
on 23^rd 
Ap.2^nd Marched to Tweefontein D squad patrolling country to
N. West during the night
Ap 3^rd Returned to Steynsberg,
4^th 5^th 6^th 7^th Remained in Steynsberg
Ap 8^th  Entrained for Fish River Stn.
9^th Remained at Fish River.
 10^th Marched N. West Along Bethesda
Road about 16 miles to Strydoms
Kraal.
11^th "C and E" Squadrons sent 9 miles
South to Bavian's Krantz 

with instructions to arrest all male
persons and seize all or destroy all
forage and stores, This was done and on their return 
they halted for night at Van Hedeons
farm near main road. Column halted
8 miles on at Sike's Store near Spitz Kop
small party of "D" Squad under Lt Erde attempted and failed to surprise 
party of rebels at night
12^th C and E Squadron overtook columns 20
miles past Sike's Store at Bethesda
Road Stn.
13^th Halted all day
14^th Entrained for Aberdeen Road and
arrived at Graff Reinett. Halted all night
15^thProceeded to Aberdeen Road Stn.
16^thRemained halted all day. "D" Squadn.
Left at 7pm to patrol towards
Aberdeen
17^thLeft at 3 p.m. Marching N along line
towards Graff Reinett. Very heavy
Rain fell. Halted at 7pm at Marais
Siding after doing 10 miles
18^th Marched North along line 3 miles to
Kendrew and 8 miles east towards Pearston
19^th Marched 14 Miles east "D" Squadron
rejoined here having marched north nearly to 
Aberdeen then east to Marais Siding
hence following us

 20^th Three Squadrons VIR patrolled country in
extended order for 8 miles to North
East and returned to camp having
21^st Sighted small bodies of enemy
retiring
21^st Marched 20 miles 10 east and 4 north
after Boers. and attacked them at
Middle Place or Middle Water. Enemy
retired. Gun loss 3  11 wounded also
Lieut Brighton of Coldstream Guards and several horses. Boers loss-reported
one killed. "C" and E Squadrons engaged
D patrolling on right.
22^ndHalted all day
23^rd E and D Squadron marched 6 miles
North to head of Coetzeesberg pass
and 3 miles east along Water Kloof
and ascertained whereabouts of enemy. Sighted three of enemy
and then returned to head of pass
24^th Remained here all day. E Squadron
joined them with provisions.
25^th Marched nine miles north to Rooi Taibosch 
I.V. Sent to hold pass. Lt Elliott with
26 10 men "E" Squadn sent 25 miles east
to Groen Vlei  ∧ on Cradock Road for convoy.
 

26^th "D" Squadron Sent to patrol S.W towards
Petersberg. Ten men under Lt Erde
detached and sent to head of Pass.
Attempting to Return were ambushed
by abo a party of Boers. Sergt
Hurst, L Corpl Goebel killed and
Tpr Clay wounded. Their horses were
killed also. "C" Squadron patrol
returned to Rooi Taibosch with 8 waggon
A and B squads joined columns
27. Marched 12 miles to Spitz Kop and
Sent out patrols in that district.
B. Squadron sent to pass head.
28^th E squadron sent east along Cradock
road. B Squadron patrolled to Rooi Taibosch
29^th Returned to Coetzeesberg Pass. E Squadron
rejoining at Rooi Taibosch.
30^th Returned to Middle Water. "B" Squadn
remaining on Pass.
May May 1 Remained, in camp all day.
May 1 2 Squadron patrolled east through
Swaggos Hook Pass. A. Squadron.
patrolled towards Rearston and returned same night
2^nd 3^rd May  Marched through Rearston and
on towards Somerset East.
doing about 22 miles
2^nd 4^nd May Marched 21 miles to Somerset
East, where D Squad Rejoined.

Sunday 5^th May. Halted at Rearston
till 6 9 pm then marched
about 9 miles over very rough
country halting ahead of the
pass over the ranges North East
of Somerset East
6^th May Marched 10miles to Thorngrove
Siding arriving at 8 .45 am
7^th A Squadron patrolled East to
Bavians River where they engaged
the enemy having one man
wounded one horse killed and
three horses captured. B Squadron
sent out as reinforcement Boers retiring north
having lost one man killed and two horses
8^th A and B Squadron again engaged
enemy a little to the North.
9  Remainder of  column marched
up and arrested them. Enemy
rapidly retiring on our approach
9^th Marched North then went back
to the railway line at Witmans.
10^th C and D Squadrons sent to
Patrol country westwards to
Doornbosch, about 20 miles
They returned 10 miles towards Witmans
to Sir Jacobus De Wet's farm where
they halted for night.
11^th Returned by orders to Doornbosch
Within three miles of this place at Groot dam
cut off Boer advance guard of
15 men which C Squadron pursued
past Doornbosch, but without result
as they were badly mounted. D Squadron
engaged main body of about 250
men. Column came up and
engaged them also. "C" Squadron                                           
fell back also to Assist. Boers
retired.  There  I.V. horses wounded column halted at Doornbosch
12^th The column moved four miles
tow South towards Somerset East.
C and D Squadrns remaining at
Doornbosch sending out patrols northwards. At  3 pm Lieut
Macdonald with Lts Elliott and Grabling
Marched with and about 40
men ∧ of C. Squadn marched out went 4 miles
towards Swaggas Hook Pass
to Bothas Farm in Water Kloof
where they engaged a large
force of Boers variously stated to be from
75 to 200 strong

The Boers were forced to retire sufficiently
for the owner of farm and his sons to be
arrested when the patrol retired
to Doornbosch meeting remainder of
V.I.R. coming out as reinforcement. The Whole
retired to Doornbosch bringing in
three wounded Tprs Moore, Hyland
and Collins. Boers retired during night  through Swaggas Hook Pass
Lt Macdonald, Lt Elliott, Sergt Johnstone (recommended for DSM) Thorpe
Huwitt Pike. Tprs Hyland and Moore mentioned in orders
13^th Tpr Moore died - buried at Doornbosch
and A. B. C Squadns sent west to
Swaggas Hook Pass through Water
Kloof. Camped at head of the pass
having done nine miles. Very wet weather
and heavy fall of Snow. At 10 pm
B" Squadron returned to Doornbosch
"BD" Squadron sent north to relieve party
of Midland. M R. attacked by Boers.
14^th Marched back and joined column
1 mile from Doornbosch and
Moved N.W.  20 miles to Stood Stockdale
Farm 20 miles.
15. A.D.E. Squadron patrolled N. W
towards Coetzeesberg Pass
engaged small party of enemy who retired
Tpr Sandford wounded
16^th "C" Squadn marched 4 miles N.W. to
Upsal with supplies for other
Squadrons.
17^th The whole of them returned to camp
at Stockdale
18^th Column marched back to Water Kloof.
about 25 miles. "E" Squadron marched to Craddock
19^th Marched to Pearston through
Sg Swaggas Hook Pass
20^th Marched Column marched 20 miles
went towards Kendrew. B and C
Squadron made forced march 6 miles
on to Wheatlands farm where 150
Boers under Scheepers were reported. Enemy rapidly
retired on our rep approach
21^st Marched 26 miles W following the
spoor of enemy. Column marched
direct to Kendrew where C and
B joined them. Boers captured
and burned train 11 miles South
22^nd 22^nd A  and B Squadn marched at 4 am going
12 miles NW to Mooifontein farm
23^rd "D" Squadron marched to Mooifontein
farm with supplies

(24^th Column Moved to Kend Graff Reinett
(25^th A.B. and D Squadron patrolled
mountains towards Aberdeen
"C" Squadron remained at Kendrew
25 C. Squadron remained
26^th A. B. D. C marched to Graaf Reinett

(24^th Column Moved to kend Graff Reinett
(25^th A.B. and D Squadron patrolled
mountains towards Aberdeen
"C" Squadron remained at Kendrew
25 C Squadron remained
26^th A. B. D. C marched to Graaf Reinett

Not in this world will
you have peace,
will you have harmony
In eternity above
the Stars you will
have to seek and find
peace
 

Nicht hienseden
Weīlt die Frīeden
Weīlet eīne Harmonie
In die terne
Nebei Sterne
Sŭche ŭnd di findet fu
C. Loby de  Bruyn
L sa

12/6/01
 

a/R

Feb 11^th 'C' Squadron marched to
Phillipstown
 

Donated records list
3297
item [1]
3rd Series

2DRL/0513