HONOURS AND PROMOTIONS
Following are the recommendations made by Lieutenant-Colonel Lumsden,
late commanding Lumsden’s Horse, in bringing the names of the
undermentioned officers and men to the favourable notice of
Field-Marshal Lord Roberts, the Commander-in-Chief, as having done
special and meritorious work during the service of his corps in South
Africa. The promotions or honours given subsequently are placed within
parentheses.
Previous to the date of these recommendations, Major Chamney had been
gazetted a Companion of St. Michael and St. George, while Captain
Rutherfoord and Lieutenant Pugh had received the decoration of the
Distinguished Service Order.
FOR D.S.O.
CAPTAIN N.C. TAYLOR, 14th Bengal Lancers.
This gentleman filled the post of adjutant (difficult in a corps like
mine) with great judgment, and fulfilled his arduous duties to my entire
satisfaction. He behaved splendidly under fire on many trying occasions,
displayed great coolness and self-reliance, and proved himself a dashing
and able leader, and was of much service to me throughout the campaign.
(Brevet Major.)
CAPTAIN L.H. NOBLETT, Royal Irish Rifles.
In command of B Company Lumsden’s Horse. I cannot speak too highly of
this gentleman as a leader of Mounted Infantry. His services to me
from the raising of the corps until its disbandment were
invaluable—clear-headed and cool in any circumstances; and the way he
handled his men in action won their unbounded confidence and mine. To
raise or lead a corps of Mounted Infantry I know no one I would sooner
select. (Brevet Major.)
CAPTAIN J.H.B. BERESFORD, 3rd Sikhs.
Commanded A Company Lumsden’s Horse. This gentleman took immense trouble
and interest in his company from start to finish, displaying much tact
in handling his men, with whom he was a great favourite. As a soldier I
can only say his long and honourable record added herewith speaks for
itself. (Brevet Major.)
Previous War Services
Burmese Expedition, 1886-7 Medal with clasp.
Hazara ” 1888 Clasp.
Miranzai ” 1891 —
Hazara ” 1891 Clasp.
Waziristan ” 1894-5. Action at Wana Clasp.
North-West Frontier of India, 1897-8. Operations on the Samana and in
the Kurram Valley during August and September 1897. Medal with two
clasps.
Tirah, 1897-8. Action on Dargai and capture of the Sampagha Pass.
Reconnaissance for the Saran Sar operations against the Khan Khel
Chamkanis. Operations in the Bazar Valley, December 25 to 30, 1897.
Clasp.
FOR MENTION
OFFICERS
CAPTAIN B.W. HOLMES, East India Railway Volunteers.
This officer was in command of the Maxim-gun contingent sent by the East
India Railway. He did excellent service with his Maxim gun, on many
occasions displaying much coolness, especially in the action at the Zand
River, when, by his accurate fire, he dislodged the enemy from Kopje
Allien. In fact, throughout the campaign he and his Maxim-gun contingent
were a most useful and reliable addition to my corps. (Mention in
despatches.)
CAPTAIN F. CLIFFORD.
Commanded the contingent from the Coorg and Mysore Volunteer Rifles.
This gentleman did good service on many occasions, and had some very
trying duties to perform, especially while scouting on two occasions in
the Crocodile Valley in July, while we were stationed at Irene, as well
as on another occasion when his detachment was located at Springs.
(Mention in despatches.)
LIEUTENANT C.E. CRANE.
Was badly wounded and taken prisoner at Houtnek on April 30. He behaved
splendidly on that day in a very difficult position and in trying
circumstances. He rejoined at Pretoria, and went through the remainder
of the campaign with us with great credit to himself.
If possible I should like this gentleman to receive the D.S.O. (Mention
in despatches.)
CAPTAIN C.L. SIDEY, from the Surma Valley Light Horse Volunteers.
This officer did very good and consistent work throughout the
campaign. Was most popular with his men, and was never off a single
march during our stay in South Africa. (Mention in despatches.)
SURGEON-CAPTAIN S.A. POWELL, M.D., Surma Valley Light Horse
Volunteers.
This gentleman carried out his duties on many occasions under much
personal danger and difficulty, especially in assisting to carry Major
Showers when wounded into a place of safety under heavy fire. On June 4,
near Pretoria, as well as on the day prior to entering Johannesburg, he
also displayed much coolness in attending to some cavalrymen who were
wounded, also under fire. I consider him fully deserving of honourable
mention. (Mention in despatches.)
RECOMMENDED FOR VICTORIA CROSS
Trooper J.A. Graham—as per my letter attached. I have wired to India for
Trooper Caley’s statement of the case.
The above happened in the end of July, when we were stationed at Irene.
Captain Clifford reported the matter to me on the evening of the event.
I consider Trooper Graham behaved with great gallantry, risking his life
to endeavour to save that of Trooper Cayley, and, with exemplary
coolness, bringing in Cayley’s rifle as well as capturing and bringing
in under a heavy fire a horse which would otherwise have fallen into the
hands of the enemy.
I strongly recommend him for the Victoria Cross. (Distinguished Conduct
Medal.)
RECOMMENDED FOR DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDALS
1. Corporal Percy Jones }
2. Trooper P.C. Preston } (Distinguished
3. ” H.N. Betts } Conduct Medal.)
4. ” W.E. Dexter }
5. Regimental Serg.-Major C.M.C. Marsham }
6. Corporal G. Peddie (Mention in despatches.)
The men I have recommended for this decoration behaved splendidly
throughout the campaign, and did many individual plucky actions. They
were the pick of my scouts, and were always selected when any difficult
or dangerous duty had to be performed.
FOR HONOURABLE MENTION
1. Corporal J. Graves }
2. Sergeant D.S. Fraser }
3. ” E.R. Dale } (Mention in despatches.)
4. Trooper H.R. Parks }
5. Sergeant G. Llewhellin }
6. Corporal C.E. Turner }
In my recommendations for honourable mention I feel I must particularise
Corporal Graves and Sergeant Fraser, of the Bank of Bengal. They
rendered me invaluable service as orderly-room clerk and paymaster
respectively, besides rendering excellent service in the field. To carry
out efficiently both duties was no light measure, and on our arrival at
Cape Town I was complimented by the Pay Department as the only corps
which had come down with its pay-sheets up to date, all credit for which
is due to the above-named gentlemen.
The remaining four named have all done meritorious work throughout the
campaign, and are extremely deserving of the honour I am soliciting for
them.
In a corps like mine, where all did so well, I have found it a most
difficult and invidious duty in making my selections.
REGULAR NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS
The following non-commissioned officers lent from the Regulars did
excellent work with me throughout the campaign, and I have much pleasure
in mentioning them:—
1. SERGEANT HEWITT, of the Royal Irish Rifles, acted as Company
Sergeant-Major to B Company until November 1900, when he was made
Regimental Sergeant-Major, in succession to Sergeant-Major Marsham, who
then vacated the post for a commission in the South African
Constabulary. He had also acted temporarily as Regimental Sergeant-Major
from May 1 to September 1. He showed much tact throughout, and was of
the greatest possible assistance to the Adjutant; and I can strongly
recommend him for any similar appointment. He was most popular with all
members of the corps from the raising of the same to its disbandment.
2. STAFF-SERGEANT STEPHENS, of the Indian Transport, was with the corps
throughout the war. It is impossible to over-estimate the assistance
given by him. He was in direct command of the whole of the regimental
transport and carried out his duties with skill, energy, tact, and
determination. He was most popular with his Volunteer drivers, and
managed them with great credit.
3. FARRIER-SERGEANT MARSHALL, 54th Battery Royal Field Artillery, was in
subordinate charge of the horse hospital throughout the war, and
performed his duties most satisfactorily. He was especially tactful with
Volunteers.
4. SERGEANT BRENNAN, of the York and Lancaster Regiment, was always
capable, willing, obliging, and uniformly well behaved. He took his
position where wanted in any capacity without a murmur, and, at various
times, filled the posts of Company Sergeant-Major, Company
Quartermaster-Sergeant, Regimental Sergeant-Major, and Regimental
Quartermaster-Sergeant. He also displayed much tact in dealing with
Volunteers.
BRIGGS, CUTHBERT, and EDWARDS, shoeing-smiths, of the 15th Hussars, did
their work well and willingly from start to finish. They also worked
well with the Volunteers.
Signallers LANCE-CORPORAL LEE, of the York and Lancaster Regiment,
Privates LOWE, LONGMAN, and HAYWARD, of the 3rd Hussars, did good and
useful work for the brigade, but were almost invariably detached from
the corps and placed on special service. From the end of May to the end
of November they were with General Sir Ian Hamilton, only rejoining when
my corps returned to Bloemfontein. While with me they were in every way
satisfactory.
(Signed) D.M. LUMSDEN, Lieutenant-Colonel,
Late Commanding Lumsden’s Horse.