The following article detailing activities of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry in South Africa was published by the Plymouth newspaper "Western Morning News" on February 17th 1903 and is reprinted with the permission of the Editor.

Contributed by Tom Richards, Bristol.

Western Morning News

D.C.L.I. - SERVICES IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN

THE PAARDEBERG CHARGE

The fame which the 2nd Cornwalls have won in recent years has been purchased at the sacrifice of many valuable lives, including that of Lieutenant-Colonel Aldworth, D.S.O., the gallant and popular commanding officer who led the regiment during the early days of the war. The battalion took a full share of the burdens of the South African campaign and it is intended that the men shall be welcomed home as brave men by a brave nation.

FROM 1742 TO 1899

It will be of interest to many to read the history of the battalion. It was formed in 1881, on the introduction of the territorial system, by the 32nd and 46th Regiments of Foot, and the records of these two fine corps place them amongst the most famous regiments in the army. In 1742 the battalion commenced its career as the 46th Foot, and was present the following year at the battle of Dettingen, where, under the command of King George II, the army gained a complete victory over a French force superior in numbers and with the advantage of position. After fighting at Fontenoy and being present at Culloden, the regiment participated in the campaigns against the French in North America, resulting in the capture of Canada and several islands in the West Indies, taking a distinguished part in the capture of Martinique and Havannah from the French and Spaniards respectively.

During the American War of Independence the Light Company of the 2nd battalion surprised an American brigade near Brandywine Creek, utterly defeating them and taking the whole of their arms and baggage. Again proceeding to the West Indies, the regiment did good service in assisting at the capture of a number of islands from the French; also in the campaign against the Carebs on St. Vincent, and later against the French in Dominica. In 1807 the 1st Battalion embarked for Copenhagen, and was present at its capture, proceeding the following year to the Peninsula to help the Spanish and Portuguese against the French, and in the campaign which followed was present at Roleia, Vimiera, and Corunna. In this engagement they lost 250 non-commissioned officers and men. Participating in the attack on Flushing, the gallant Sir Eyre Cock said of the corps: "When the 32nd are on the advanced posts I can sleep soundly". In 1811 the Regiment proceeded to the Peninsula for the second time, taking part in the battle of Salamanca. Two years later the Cornwall Regiment was again fighting under the Iron Duke, being present at Neville, Nive and Orthes. In April 1815, it embarked for the Netherlands, and was engaged the following June at Quatre Bras and Waterloo, only 130 officers and men coming out of action in the latter. The regiment performed marvels of bravery against the Sikhs during the Punjaub campaign. In the Crimea the Cornwalls were represented at Alma, Inkerman, Sebastopol and Redan, and during the Indian Mutiny it fell to the lot of the regiment to render brilliant service. At Lucknow the losses were 379 killed and 209 wounded. The Egyptian campaign of 1882 gave the regiment its next opportunity, and its conduct at Kafr Dour, El Magfar, Tel-el-Mahuta, Kassassin, and Tel-el-Kebir showed that it had not lost its old form. In Burman, and later in the frontier campaign, it added lustre to its name.

THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR

The record of the battalion in the Boer war may well make Cornish men and women feel proud, though it must be confessed that the regiment is not nearly so representative of the "first and last county" as could be wished. Cornwall, however, contributes handsomely to the senior service, so that complaint ought not to be made. The services of the 2nd Cornwalls in the late war have been recorded on more than one occasion, but a summary of the regiment’s official record, for first time, will doubtless be read with interest.

The 2nd Duke of Cornwall’s L.I. was ordered to mobilise for South Africa on October 7th 1899, and on the 17th of the month, 523 reservists having joined the colours, the regiment was ready to take its departure. On November 5th, 919 officers and men had an enthusiastic send-off, and embarked for the Cape at the Royal Albert Docks, the officers being Lieut-Colonel Aldworth, D.S.O., Majors Ashby, Harvey and Teale, Captains Rhodes, Newbury, Rawlinson, Shakerley, Grant, Mander, Lieuts. Metherell, Woodham, Romilly, Cantan, Fife, Wethered (Gloucestershire Regiment), Second-Lieuts. Lynch, Grigg, Kirk, Kingston, Libby, Molesworth, Stericker, Butler, Bowden, Rendall, Capt. and Adjutant Wardlow, Lieut. and Qrmtr. Taylor, and Lieut. Anderson, R.A.M.C.

The battalion disembarked at Table Bay on November 29th, and, after nine days’ stay at De Aar, proceeded to Orange River Station, two companies, under Majors Harvey and Teale, proceeding in detachment to Witteputs. These companies were relieved on December 18th by two companies under the command of Capts. Grant and Rhodes. On December 26th a detachment under the command of Major G.A. Ashby, consisting of H and C Companies, under the respective commands of Capts. Mander and Rawlinson, proceeded to Belmont, there to be stationed. On January 1st 1900, the two companies at Belmont joined the column under the command of Colonel Pilcher, and took part in an attack on the Boers at Sunnyside, near Douglas. On January 6th, the force, under Lieut-Colonel Aldworth marched to Zoutpans Drift, and took up position on the north bank of the Orange River. A draft under the command of Lieut. De la Condamine, disembarked at Cape Town on January 7th. The draft consisted of 125 non-commissioned officers and men, and 45 were left at the base. On January 25th a mounted infantry company was formed, the officers being Captain Shakerley, Lieuts. Cantan, Romilly, Stericker and Hingston. The company left for De Aar the same day, E company being broken up and the letter given to the mounted infantry. On February 4th G Company proceeded from Witteputs to Belmont to join the detachment under Major G.A. Ashby, and two days later G, H and C Companies left Belmont for Witteputs.

AN ISSUE OF RUM

During the early part of February the following message was received from Orange River Station:

"The G.O.C. wishes to mark his appreciation of the hard work done in the station by the battalion under your command, and authorises an issue of rum."

Eventually orders were received to concentrate at Maple Leaf, and on February 10th the 19th brigade, under Major-Gen. H.L. Smith Dorrien, was formed, consisting of the 2nd battalion D.C.L.I., 2nd Battalion Shropshire L.I., 1st battalion Gordon Highlanders, and the Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry. The battalion marched to Graspan on February 12th, and to Ramdam the following day, where the Highland Brigade was met, and the 9th Division formed under Sir H. Colville.

PAARDEBERG REACHED

The battalion reached Paardeberg about 5 a.m. on February 18th, and took up a position in reserve. About 9.30 a.m. three companies, under the command of Major Ashby, proceeded to support the Highland brigade in the attack on the south bank of the Modder River. The companies and officers were - A Co., Capt. Wardlaw, adjutant, in command, and Lieuts. Grigg and Kirk; B Co., Capt. Newbury and Lieut. Lynch; C Co., Capt. Rawlinson and Lieut. Butler Bowden. About 1 p.m. three and a half companies, under the command of Lieut-Col. Aldworth, D.S.O., forded the river to the northern bank to assist in dislodging a large party of Boers, who were entrenched in dongas close to the river bank. The companies advanced under cover towards the trenches, and on nearing them charged, but owing to a deadly fire were only able to get within 50 yards of the enemy. Lieut-Col. Aldworth was killed while leading the charge. The companies then laid down until dark, when they were withdrawn, being taken out of action by Capt. Rhodes. Half of D Company, under Major Harvey, was employed on outpost duty on the south side of the river during the same day and night. Following were the Paardeberg casualties:- Killed. Lieut-Col. Aldworth, D.S.O. and Capt. B.A. Newbury, Capt. and Adjut. E.P. Wardlow, one sergeant, and 24 of the rank and file. Wounded:- Capt. J.H. Mander, Lieuts. H. Fife, R.M. Grigg, and J.W.C. Kirk, two sergeants, and 46 of the rank and file. For four days, starting on February 20th, the battalion was engaged on outpost duty, and on February 24th it occupied trenches on the river bank, near the Boer position, and continued extending entrenchments until relieved by the Canadians on February 26th. Corporal Ostler was wounded, and died three days later.

A SUCCESSFUL FLANK MARCH

On March 7th the battalion took part in an attack on the enemy who were holding a line of kopjes (Blue kopjes, and Lew Kop). A flank march of 20 miles was performed, and the enemy’s flank having been turned the battalion bivouacked for the night at Poplar Grove, having been under arms sixteen hours. The officer commanding the 19th Brigade issued the following on March 8th:-

"The Major-General commanding the Brigade wishes all ranks of the Brigade he has the honour to command to understand how thoroughly he appreciates the spirit and zeal shown by them since the brigade assembled at Graspan on February 12th and 13th. All have been called on for extraordinary exertions, have had to undergo forced marches, short rations, frequent wettings, want of water and sleep, and severe and trying fighting, concluding with an extremely arduous flank march yesterday of some twenty miles. It will be gratifying for them to know that yesterday’s march turned the Boer positions on the Lew Kop and the Blue kopjes, and threatened their rear, and caused them to retreat in haste, making them cease firing on our naval guns and abandon their own gun, which the Shropshire L.I. eventually captured. It also enabled the Highland brigade to advance direct on the enemy’s trenches without opposition, and further caused the retirement of a large force of mounted men and gun from Blue kopjes, which force has held the M.I. on the left flank of the Brigade in check throughout the morning. It will also be gratifying to all to know that thanks to the untiring energy shown by everyone, the 19th brigade has established a high name for itself, which the Major-General feels confident all will continue to do their utmost to maintain. He regrets that the Brigade has suffered the loss of many brave officers, non-commissioned officers and men, and he especially wishes to record how deeply he deplores the loss of that gallant and able officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Aldworth, D.S.O., lately commanding the D.C.L.I.

THE BATTALION "PICKED OUT AND COMPLIMENTED"

The battalion took part in the action of Dreifontein on March 10th, forming part of the centre column with army head-quarters during the engagement, and marched into Bloemfontein on the 15th. On March 11th the following was issued by the G.O.C. the 19th Brigade:-

"On the 8th inst., judging from the time it had taken previous units to cross their wagons over the drift at Poplar Grove, it was judged that the 19th Brigade would take eight hours to get theirs across. Thanks, however, to the way the officers organised their fatigue parties and the energy with which the men worked, it was completed in three hours". On March 21st the battalion was picked out and especially complimented by Major-General Sir H. Colville as being the smartest in the brigade.

Between March 30th and April 31st the battalion was engaged against the Boers at Bosman’s Kop, to assist General Broadwood; Springfontein, in relief of the 18th Brigade; and Isaacs Poort and Thubanchee, carrying the position at the former place. On April 30th the battalion marched in the direction of Winberg, acting as baggage guard, and forming the rearguard. An engagement at Hautneck lasted all day, the convoy being shelled by the enemy’s "Long Tom". Several shells pitched in the middle of the convoy, but did no damage. The enemy shelled the convoy the following day from daybreak to 3 p.m., and then retired.

EN ROUTE TO PRETORIA

The 19th Brigade was joined by the 21st brigade on May 1st, and became the Winberg column, forming the right of Lord Roberts’s advance. After stubborn resistance the battalion crossed the Vet River on May 4th, and marched into Winberg without opposition the following day. On May 10th the passage of the Zand River was forced, and the following day Lieut. Molesworth, with half of D Company, proceeded down country in charge of Boer prisoners. On May 29th the battalion took part in action at Doornkop, and when within 400 yards fixed bayonets. "The enemy, however, retired hurriedly" says the report. Lieut. Fife died of wounds the same day, and was buried at Mariasburg Cemetery. On June 4th the whole of the battalion was engaged, and marched into Pretoria on June 5th. At a camp south of Irene, on June 8th, the volunteer company joined, being under Capt. Jackson, with Lieuts. Smith and Cowlard. While guarding the lines of communications and taking part in Colonel Hickman’s operations in Crocodile River Valley (July 25th and 26th) the battalion was reinforced by two drafts. Having performed useful work, the volunteer company left for England on October 8th, but were detained in Cape Colony to guard lines of communication. The official record details the names of many places at which the regiment was stationed during the final stages of the war.

REWARDS

The following rewards were given for the South African campaign:- "Gazette", 19th April 1901 - To be Companion of the Bath, Lieut-Colonel G.A. Ashby. "Gazette", 29th November 1901 - To be Companions of the Distinguished Service Order, Major W.L. Harvey, Capt. and Adjt. H. Fargus. To be brevet-majors, Capt. G.B.M. Rawlinson, Capt. A.G.W. Grant. To have the hon. rank of captain, Lieut. and Quartermaster W.H. Taylor. To have the Distinguished Conduct Medal, Colour-Sergeants F.J. Clemo, D. Owen, and H.J. Smith, Sergt. J.F. Symons, Corporals A. Bedford, H. Cooper, J. Edgar, and Private J.J. Thompson.

THE FAMOUS CHARGE AT PAARDEBERG: ITS ANNIVERSARY TOMORROW

It is with the battle of Paardeberg, which was the beginning of the end of Cronje, that the 2nd Cornwalls have been honourably coupled, so much gallantry being shown against enormous odds. The heaviest losses sustained by the regiment throughout the war was at Paardeberg, their impetuous charge on the enemy’s trenches on Sunday, February 18th, being one of the finest things in the campaign. The "Dukes" were left in charge of the transport kopje on the south side of the river when the Ninth Division entered the field of action. Later on half of the Cornish battalion were called on to reinforce their brigadier, and when more troops were wanted the remaining half were called into action. Col. Aldworth was informed that a very large number of Boers were entrenched behind scrub on the top of a river bank, and that the only possible way to dislodge them was by charging across open ground, extending nearly 1,000 yards. Col. Aldworth informed his men of the task set them, and with the words "We will make the name of the Cornwall’s ring in the ears of the world, boys!" he gave the command to fix bayonets, and led the charge. A hundred yards or so having been crossed, a curvature in the ground was met with. Here a mere handful of soldiers - Black Watch, Seaforths, and a few Canadians - were lying. They had formed part of a body which had already attempted the daring task, and taking heart by the presence of the Cornwalls, they formed up and joined in the charge. When clear of the curvature a perfect hail of bullets was sent at the gallant men by the enemy. Col. Aldworth was at the head of his men, and the few stragglers who had joined in the rush, and close at his elbow was Capt. Mander. The latter realised that two officers so close to each other would offer a good target to the Boers, and as he edged away a little his commanding officer was struck, and fell to the ground. Still the men pressed forward at the double, and as Capt. Mander looked back over his shoulder he caught sight of his colonel, who had raised himself on one elbow, and was apparently shouting words of encouragement to the troops as they rushed by him. Two or three hundred yards having been covered, the charge resolved itself into a race against death. Five hundred yards yet remained to be covered, and scarce half the number of men who had started in the charge were on their legs. Dead and dying lay in one long string from the point at which the last halt was made, and realising the impossibility of the undertaking, the men threw themselves flat on the ground. Retreating was out of the question - the patter of the enemy’s rifles told that. In this disagreeable position, the scattered troops had to remain for many hours, until dusk enabled them to beat a safe retreat. The searching fire of the Boers proved fatal to many a gallant soldier while in a prone position. With bayonets and swords some managed to scrape together sufficient earth to afford protection for the head, but when the enemy noticed such proceedings bullets were sent in scores round the unfortunate men. Whilst Capt. Mander was trying to provide himself with a little protection he was shot in the shoulder, and on either side of him many were killed outright. Under cover of night the troops retired, taking their wounded with them. Some little time after Paardeberg the 2nd Cornwall’s baggage and several of their number, including the quartermaster and tailor, were taken prisoners by De Wet, who at a later date still, captured Capt. A.G.W. Grant.

Mr. W. Round-Saunderson, ex-sergeant Volunteer Service Company 1st Gordon Highlanders, writes us from Pretoria as follows:- By the time these lines appear in cold type the 2nd Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry will be almost in sight of the dear old shores of the motherland, after an absence of three years and two months in South Africa, and doubtless will receive that enthusiastic welcome from the folk of the Duchy they so well deserve. The battalion left East Camp, Pretoria, on Friday, January 16th, for Durban, there to embark on the Lake Manitoba en route for Southampton; strength 17 officers and 293 non-commissioned officers and men. The officers and non-commissioned officers accompanying the battalion home are Major Morris (in command), Major and Brevet-Lieut-Col. Chapman, Majors Stewart and Wilbraham, Captain Fargus, D.S.O., Adjutant; Captains Petavel, Price and Wetherell; Lieuts. Romilly, Hingston and Harrison; Second-Lieuts. Ward, Passey, Collins and Rogers; Captain Taylor, quartermaster; Sergeant-Major Hiscock; Quartermaster-Sergeant Clemo; Armourer-Sergeant Field; Cook-Sergeant Boorman; Sergeant-Bugler Peartree; Band-Sergeant Attwood; Pioneer-Sergeant Davies; Orderly-Room-Sergeant Elliott, and Transport-Sergt. Scott.

The 2nd D.C.L.I.’s are leaving South Africa with the good wishes of all with whom they have been associated. The battalion has done its duty nobly during hostilities, and earned the favourable commendation of the present general officer commanding in South Africa, General Lyttleton, who paid a special visit to Pretoria from Johannesburg to bid them a hearty good-bye. They arrived at Cape Town very soon after Mr. Kruger’s ultimatum - to be precise, on November 28th 1899 - and were not long before they were in the thick of it. They formed part of General Smith-Dorrien’s 19th Brigade during the famous operations at Paardeberg, where they unfortunately lost their commanding officer (Lieutenant-Colonel Aldworth, D.S.O.), their adjutant (Captain Wardlaw), and Captain Newbury, all killed in action. Their next experience under fire were the battles of Poplar Grove and Driefontein, out of which they happily emerged without loss, and then entered Bloemfontein with Lord Roberts. Hout Nek was the next engagement in which the battalion took part; and then followed Florida, where Lieutenant Fife was killed. The entry into Johannesburg came next, and a breathing space was accorded to the Cornwalls. The battalion then took part in the march on, entry into, and occupation of Pretoria, under Lord Roberts, being mainly concerned in several minor engagements en route.

The next move was to Middelburg; from there to Piennars Poort, then on to Komati Poort, where they had a lengthy stay of ten months, principally engaged in the monotonous, but necessary, duty of blockhouse work, and staving off the ravages of malarial fever, which nearly decimated the battalion. It was a very war-and-disease stricken battalion that left Komati for Berberton and then on to Pretoria in June 1902, but seven months at East Camp worked wonders, and when they left for home, amidst frantic rejoicing on their part and the envy of their comrades of the Welsh and other regiments, they all looked fit and well, and ready (if not willingly) for another campaign.

"Tommy" is noted for his kindness at all times to children and animals, and a battalion abroad has a regular menagerie within its lines. Needless to say the Cornwalls were not behind in this respect, hardly a tent being without a pet of one kind or another, including birds, iguenas, cats, baboons, a hen, and dogs innumerable. The regimental pet, however, was a fine ram, named "Jim", which had attached itself to the battalion for over two years, and would, when annoyed, butt its best friend; in fact, the commanding officer himself was once laid low in an unexpected encounter with the animal. Its favourite article of diet was a cigarette, but other wonderful things found their way into his interior, with the only effect of apparently fattening him. It was hoped that permission would be granted to take him home; but to the deep regret of every member of the battalion it was announced at the last minute that he would not be allowed to go. He has, however, got a good home, as have also the bugle band dog "Mick" and the sergeants’ mess cat, which are now located at the Garrison Institute.

END