Just superb, it is always nice to see members of the Cape Volunteers not only be recognised, but, to actually be suitably rewarded.
Henk Loots wrote: Hi Rory
As usual, a magnificently researched recipient!
What especially intrigued me was the photo of officers of the Kaffrarian Rifles. Can you put a date to the photo and names to the officers?
I have the DSO & QSA to Capt John Percy Farrar and I would love to know what he looked like, although I do not know if he returned to his regiment after the War when the photo was probably taken.
Farrar is first mentioned at Wepener in Dalgety’s Despatch : “…Captain Farrar of the Kaffrarian Rifles was invaluable in obtaining supplies from Wepener on the 6th, 7th and 8th.” The Regimental History by Francis Coleman elaborates on this: “Most importantly, Capt J P Farrar and a supply officer, Mr Williams, made great efforts to stock the camp with foodstuffs, fuel and slaughter cattle and sheep. Not a tin of fish, meat or preserves escaped their attention, whilst every kilogram of sugar, tea, coffee and rice in the shops of Wepener was requisitioned.”
In the months after Wepener the Kaffrarians continued to operate in the Eastern Free State. On 27 May 1900 Capt Farrar was nearly captured on patrol to Commando Nek (near Ficksburg) whilst attempting to climb the mountain to locate an enemy laager. He only just reached his horse, under continual sniper fire.
Early in August 1900 the Kaffrarians moved into the Transvaal. On 31 August 1900 the 3rd Cavalry Brigade under Col Little and the Colonial division under Col Dalgety were marching for Krugersdorp when they were attacked on the farm Quaggafontein (11 km east of Derby) by some 450 burghers with guns from Asst Cmdt-Gen de la Rey’s commando. During the action De la Rey arrived with some 600 more burghers and artillery, and Dalgety sent the Kaffrarian Rifles on an enveloping attack around the left flank of the Boer position, where they bore the brunt of the enemy fire as the cavalry pulled back. Once this was accomplished, the Kaffrarians advanced, only to be pinned down by a withering hail of bullets from Boers who had been waiting for them on a group of rocky kopjes. They remained in this exposed position until sunset when firing ceased. The British lost 11 men KiA and 6 officers and 26 men wounded. Capt Farrar was severely wounded in the groin at about 11h00, but continued to direct his men until he was ordered to retire at sunset. He was subsequently awarded the DSO (See Coleman, p77, and the “Gazetteer” by Jones)
On 19 September 1900, as the Kaffrarians moved down the railway line to Viljoen’s Drift on the Vaal river, an ambulance train passed them carrying in it Capt Percy Farrar on his way home to England. This popular officer received a great cheer as the train rattled by.
