The Regiment's Part In The War

When, on 7th October, 1899, war was declared by the two Boer Republics, the 1st Battalion, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel R. H. Gunning, was at Dundee, Natal, with the exception of "G" Company, which was at Eshowe in Zululand and there remained until the following March.

Talana Hill, 20th October 1899

At Talana Hill the first battle of the war, the Battalion greatly distinguished itself in the attack on the Boer position and the complete defeat of the enemy. LieutenantColonel Gunning was killed leading the assault, and out of seventeen officers present five were killed and eight wounded, together with many N.C.Os. and Riflemen. Major W. Pitcairn Campbell thereupon assumed command.

Defence Of Ladysmith, October, 1899, to February, 1900.

Then came the retreat to Ladysmith by a forced march under peculiarly trying circumstances and in October took place the Battle of Lombard's Kop, which, indecisive in its effects, led to the investment by the Boer Army. The four months' defence of Ladysmith was the result, the chief battle being that of Wagon Hill on 6th January, 1900.

Up to March, 1900, the Battalion lost 8 officers and 43 men killed, 8 officers and 180 men wounded, and 81 men who died in hospital.

Invasion Of The Transvaal, May 1900

After the relief of Ladysmith on 3rd March the Battalion joined the 8th Brigade, 5th Division, and was with Buller's command in the Transvaal, taking part in the passage of the Biggarsberg in May, the attacks on Botha's Pass and Alleman's Nek, 8th and 11th June, the occupation of Wakkerstroom, 17th June, and of Standerton, 23rd June.

In August the Battalion assisted in the capture of Amersfoot and Ermelo, and was present at the Battle of Belfast, 27th August, when the armies under Roberts and Buller first joined hands, taking part in the attack on Bergendal.

It subsequently assisted in the occupation of Lydenburg on 6th September and at the fighting in the Mauchberg on 9th September and at Pilgrim's Rest on 27th September. On 16th October, 1900, the Battalion returned to Middelburg, where it was continually engaged in minor operations until July, 1901, when it proceeded to Cape Colony. Here it built the seventy miles of blockhouses between De Aar and the Orange River, which it occupied until the end of the war in June, 1902.