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Of late there has been some interesting comment about the Mafeking Defence on this site; herewith for your viewing is a further contribution - the medals of Major Francis William PANZERA of the Bechuanaland Border Police and later Lt. Co. F.W.PANZERA, C.M.G.



(1) C.M.G.
(2) BSACM (1893 rev) engraved to "Major F.W.PANZERA Har. Mil. R.E."
(3) QSA bars DofM and Tv engraved to "Major F.W.PANZERA, B.S.A. Police"
(4) KSA bars 01/02 engraved to "Major F.W. PANZERA, R of O"
(5) BWM impressed to "Col. F.W.PANZERA".
Born in Dorset on 21011857, and the son of a Civil Engineer and a grandson of the former Italian Minister for War, F.W.PANZERA commenced his military career when he was commissioned in the Royal Artillery Militia in 1878. He proceeded to further education at the Royal Military Repository in 1880 - and in 1882 he authored a little volume titled "Questions and Answers on Gunnery" - intended for use of Officers in the Auxiliary Forces.


F.W.PANZERA continued to serve with the artillery and was promoted Major in 1884; then Gunnery Instructor to a Militia unit from 1885 until he retired to the Army Reserve in 1888. Around that date, Major PANZERA contributed an essay regarding the officering of the Artillery Militia in the 1888 RA journal. He then qualified as an Acting Engineer and was appointed to the Royal Engineers (Eastern District) Harwich militia on 05091888. Between 1890 and 1891 he commanded troops at Harwich and Landguard; however in 1892 he was nominated by the War Office to serve under the Colonial Office in SA.

The subject of our bio was extremely well qualified for Colonial service. His record of services includes an Extra Certificate at the Hythe School of Musketry(including machine guns), a qualification as Instructor in gunnery, the attending of a Submarine Mining and Electrical Lighting course, a First Class Riding certificate and a Special certificate as "Distinguished in Fortifications". Impressive by any standard.
Upon arrival in SA, acting Major PANZERA was variously appointed as Supt. of Public Works in Bechuanaland, Engineering Officer of the BBP, member of the Protectorate Concessions Committee and later Resident Commissioner. During the 1893 Matabele War, he commanded the base at Macloutsie and the Eastern line of Communications - and was awarded the appropriate BSACM named to his parent unit; the Harwich Militia R.E. His step up to Major was formally announced in the LG of 11071894.



....to be continued .....

....continued ...

In 1896, Major PANZERA was called as a Prosecution Witness in the Jameson Raid Committal trial held at the Bow St. Magistrates Court. on 24th March, he have evidence about the topography of the country involved and, dressed "fresh from the hands of a Bond St. tailor and wearing a gardenia in his buttonhole", he impressed the Court with an "unusual readiness to make extended explanations" and displayed a thorough knowledge of the country and it's natives. Later, during the High Court Trial, Maj. PANZERA corroborated his earlier statement that the launch site of the Raid was "within the Queen's Dominion".
Subsequent to the Court Hearings and convictions, Major PANZERA arrived at the Cape by ship (accompanied by a certain Cecil Rhodes) and quickly journeyed to Mafeking. A month or so previous, a certain Colonel Baden-Powell had been sent to SA as a Special Service Officer and, when he arrived, he was suspected of all manner of things by the High Commissioner and the then G.O.C. BY August, 1899, BP had determined that he had to garrison Mafeking. The first shots were fired at Kraaipan on 12101899 and Mafeking was isolated the day after. The Boers commenced their bombardment of the town on 16101899.
The tools on hand to defend Mafeking were meagre. Apart from small arms, only four old 7lb RML guns (of very limited effective range) were available. During the garrison's first raid on the besiegers on 27101899 Capts. Marsham and Pechell were mortally wounded and Major PANZERA became C.O.Artillery. Immediately, he culled the TG of men with any artillery experience. On 07111899, the Major was in charge of artillery support for a "hit and run" raid on the besiegers - under "trying enemy fire" whilst so doing. On 26121899, Major PANZERA was doing it again for the ill-fated assault on the Game Tree Fort - and was complimented for his efforts by BP.
After the repulse of the Game Tree Fort raid, demands from other fronts meant that many besiegers moved elsewhere. However, the reality was that bombardment continued and sap, counter sap and "sniping" was conducted by both sides in the Brickfields trenches. Together with an NCO from the Cape Police, Major PANZERA is recorded as destroying a particular brick kiln during one attack. When the Boers finally quitted their Brickfields trenches on 24031900, they left behind a concealed dynamite charge, ready to be detonated under the rooinecks by remote control. According to one account, this dastardly plot was foiled by Major PANZERA; who quietly cut the wires!
Less than two months later, the Boers made what was to have been their final and most severe attack on the little garrison. On 12051900, Commdt. Eloff led an attack that got as far as the Police Fort. However, the internal defence held, artillery support was available and Eloff had to surrender. Even in the final days of the siege, Major PANZERA managed to get into the action. On the very day of the Relief, he accompanied BP on a sally to try and cut off a Boer party moving away from Col. Mahon's column. The sally was not needed; however, it did demonstrate that Mafeking was not content to simply wait for relief.

Very impressive Linneyl

Forgive me for asking the obvious but are they in your collection? I recall seeing them on a dealers site a while ago and alerting the family to them. The Panzera's were my next door neighbours in Durban North and Roly (the grandson) never forgave himself for disposing of the medals. I think it haunted him until his death a few years ago.

Economic necessity dictated otherwise and he parted with them. I recall that a significant amount of paperwork was sold seperately again through either an online or normal auction house.

If they are yours you have most decidely acquired a gem of a group and are to be congratulated with their acquisition.

Regards

Rory

....continued....

As well as performing duties one might reasonably ascribe to those of a junior officer, Major PANZERA appears to have been at least pertly responsible for the design and manufacture of the "Wolf" howitzer; made in the Mafeking Railway workshops. Using a length of steel steam pipe reinforced with iron rings and having a brass breech, the gun carraige was fashioned from a farm threshing machine. Once constructed, BP insisted the little howitzer be used right away. Our Major cautioned that the breech was insufficiently strong; it might fail. It did and the breech had to be strengthened. Interestingly, a 1999 Christie's Auction featured a model of the "Wolf" howitzer of Mafeking; one of four made later in the Railway Workshops. The auctioned example was said to be that presented to Major PANZERA; credited in associated documents as actually designing the original
In his despatch of 18051900, BP "mentioned" Major PANZERA as folows;" as commanding artillery, showed himself a smart and practical gunner, endowed with the greatest zeal, coupled with personal gallantry in action. The great success gained by our little guns, even when opposed to the modern armamant of the enemy, was largely due to his organization and handling of them. He acted as my Brigade Major and proved himself a most reliable and useful staff officer".
Later, Major PANZERA was promoted to Lt. Col. and served on the Satff - earning the Transvaal clasp for his QSA. According to Colin Walker's Siege Register, BP failed to get the Major a commission in the RA. Indeed, reading between the lines in the Mafeking Mail, Major PANZERA was something of a martinet, who did not suffer fools gladly. "Leaders from the Front" sometimes have such attributes! Post ABW, he was appointed Resident Commissioner of the Bechuanaland Protectorate; mapped the area and in 1911was awarded the C.M.G. Colin Walker also records that a stained glass window tribute was installed in the Church of St.John, Mafeking. One hopes it survives.
In 1916, F.W.PANZERA returned to the UK to take up a position as Commondant of the EnemyAlien Detention Camp at Knockaloe on the IofM. Having been in ill-health for some time, Col. PANZERA died of heart failure during a camp inspection on 04061917 aged 66 years. The internees of the camp went on record as saying he was a "great and just man". As he did not serve in an active service area, his final medallic tribute was a single BWM.
In the recent past, certain writers have seen fit to dissect and decry the Defence of Mafeking; holding it to have been of small moment. Others - Pakenham in particular - have redressed the balance. The Siege was important; it did drag many of the enemy away from elsewhere at a critical time - and it illustrated British Pluck. Perhaps the best tribute given to Francis William PANZERA was made by BP himself when he wrote to the widow upon hearing of his old friend's passing: "He was a splendid type of man and the bravest I ever saw".
Thanks to all who have read so far.

Rory
I had to do this in indiv. posts as the whole lot was too big for one post. Yes, I am the current custodian of the llustrated group.
IL.

I have renewed respect for you sir.

If ever you want to be placed in contact with Roly's widow just give me a shout.

Regards

Rory