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Colonel L. H. Bailie, M. C. and Bar, who prepared this brief history of The Kaffrarian Rifles, was an officer who fought with great distinction in World War II. He was a direct descendant of Captain John Bailie (RN), the founder of East London. John Bailie and his son, Charles, were involved in epic battles against the Xhosa impis 130 years ago. The feats of arms of these early volunteer detachments that preceded the formation of The Kaffrarian Rifles are part of the Regiment’s inspiring story.
A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO OUR HISTORY
As written by the late Colonel L.H. Bailie, M.C. and bar.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE KAFFRARIAN RIFLES
Colonel L. H. Bailie, M. C. and Bar, who prepared this brief history of The Kaffrarian Rifles, was an officer who fought with great distinction in World War II. He was a direct descendant of Captain John Bailie (RN), the founder of East London. John Bailie and his son, Charles, were involved in epic battles against the Xhosa impis 130 years ago. The feats of arms of these early volunteer detachments that preceded the formation of The Kaffrarian Rifles are part of the Regiment's inspiring story. Colonel Bailie, or "Bonnie Bailie: as he was known to all the wartime officers of The K.R.'s and, later the Hampshire Regiment, first earned distinction in the Western Desert as a lieutenant in The K.R.'s during the attack on Bardia in December, 1942. He led his platoon through withering fire to take a German machine-gun post at the point of the bayonet and then, when the company commander became a casualty, he took over command and in two days of intense action swept the Germans from their strong points, taking about 400 prisoners apart from inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. At the fall of Tobruk, he led a party of men out of he perimeter and 38 days later, after a 570-mile desert trek brought them to the safety of the Allied lines at Alamein. For this feat of courage and audacity he was awarded the Military Cross. Seconded to the Hampshire's, with the rank of major during the Italian campaign, he was in continuous fighting until he was seriously wounded and it was during this period that he was awarded the Bar to the M. C. The citation for this award reads: "At Trarivi on September 16, 1944, Major Bailie's company was selected to attack enemy positions in the village, consisting of several strong points, centred around the heavily defended church. Soon after the start of the advance, Major Bailie's company came under heavy shell – fire which caused numerous casualties. He at once reorganised his men and resumed the attack. He then encountered heavy machine-gun fire from the area surrounding the church and from other positions - which were difficult to locate. When the first attempt to carry the position failed, Major Bailie remained completely undaunted and, locating personally under heavy fire many of the machine-guns which had held up the advance, he made a new plan wand reorganised his company for the final effort which carried the enemy strong-point and resulted in the capture of the whole village and many prisoners." His brigade commander, Brigadier J. Kendrew, C. B., C. B. E., D. S. O. (two Bars) told Captain Toys Norton, V. C., M. M. (who served with Col. Bailie throughout the war) that Col. Bailie was the finest company commander he had ever had. Norton, himself, the only man from East London to win the coveted Victoria Cross during the war, describes Col. Bailie as "one of the finest men and greatest soldiers I ever had the privilege to serve under." Col. Bailie took over command of The Kaffrarian Rifles after the war. He lived in Grahamstown, where he retired as a bank manager.
FOREWORD BY THE WRITER Throughout the many years of the existence of The Kaffrarian Rifles there has not been a comprehensive written history of the Regiment, except that published in 1948 in the Daily Dispatch Centenary Special from my pen. The Kaffrarian Rifles were unfortunate, in that, during the First World War 1914/18 the Regiment lost control of the Drill Hall, and the question of ownership and the Regiment's rights over it, were only settled in 1924. During the period 1916 to 1920 the Regiment was reduced to an Officers' List and with the position over the Drill Hall obtaining at the time, records were scattered. The result is that historical research is proving to be protracted. However, the matter is being undertaken and publication of an authenticated history will take place when research is completed. Meanwhile this brief history is merely to be taken as a record of the Regiment's doings, and with the exception of Mr E. Morse Jones, to whom I am indebted for many notes no attempt is made to quote relevant authorities. The history of the Regiment is made up of the story of numberless citizens who from generation to generation strive for an ideal – the duty to homeland – the protection of loved ones; and, who in furtherance of that ideal, have, from time to time, made the supreme sacrifice. "For greater love hath no man than this…" Out of the growing pains in the life of this young country were born the Volunteer Detachments who formed the basis on which our Citizen Force is founded. From father to son is passed the desire to emulate all that was good and noble in the examples set by our forbears, and to discard all those failings, common to mankind, which are brought out in sharp relief during times of trial and peril. So it is that The Kaffrarian Rifles will live on, for our glorious dead are made to speak, and in the words of John McCrae we hear:
"Take up our quarrel with the foe.
To you with falling hands we throw.
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die.
We shall not sleep, tho' Poppies grow.
In Flanders Fields."
THE FIGHTING VOLUNTEERS OF THE BORDER
On Sunday, November 29, 1964, The Kaffrarian Rifles celebrated its official 88 th anniversary although its history actually goes back "130" years to the formation of the various volunteer detachments that sprang into being when the Xhosa impis crossed the Fish River on December 21, 1834, and the 1834-35 War began.
On December 27, 1834, a formation of Grahamstown volunteers was in being, and conducting missions against the enemy. On January 9, 1835, Major General Sir Harry Smith, arrived in Grahamstown, and a volunteer corps consisting of four companies of infantry and one troop of cavalry was formed, under the Command of Captain Sparks. The troop of cavalry was the Grahamstown Volunteer Yeomanry. On January 10, 1835, sharpshooters were formed under Captain George Wood, as an additional company of the above corps. On January 20, 1835, a unit – the Albany Mounted Sharpshooters, was formed of two troops under command Major George Tomlinson. On January 27, 1835, the Bathurst Volunteers came into being under command Capt. W.M. Gilfillan. A month later the Provisional Colonial Cavalry was formed. Then the Grahamstown Volunteer Artillery was created and incorporated into the Grahamstown Volunteer Corps and the Provisional Colonial Infantry Corps was also formed, two Battalions, each 400 strong. The First Battalion was under command major R. Bagot, one of the Settlers, and the Second Battalion was commanded by Major Andries Stockenstroom. The Corps of Guides was formed on March 17, 1835. It would be well-nigh impossible to compress into this abbreviated history even an outline of the many actions, feats of arms, and the numerous tribulations to which these volunteer troops were subjected during the period of the turbulent history of those days, when continuous suffering, perils endured, and deeds of glory, established the traditions upon which present day volunteers find stimulation, comfort and faith. However, I make the following brief narration of some of the events in which certain of our forbears participated, merely as an illustration of what the volunteers were engaged on in days gone by. It is fitting to mention the founder of East London, one John Bailie (RN). On December 21, 1834, the Xhosa hordes crossed the Fish River and, in their advance, burned and destroyed the homes of the Settlers, and drove away their livestock. On January 10, 1835, Captain John Bailie occupied and commanded the Waaiplaats post, taking with him a force from Grahamstown. On the same day he and his party moved out to engage an enemy attack, which was repelled – horses, muskets and ammunition were recaptured from the enemy. Again on January 17, 20 and 23, 1835, and daily thereafter, operations against the enemy continued from the post. On January 30, 1835, John Bailie joined the commando under Col. R. England of the 75 th Regiment – he was relieved at Waaiplaats by Captain Bagot, of the 47 th Regiment – to enable him to assume command of a company of the Provisional Colonial Infantry then being formed. On February 27, 1835, the Provisional Colonial Infantry was established, consisting of two battalions. The First Battalion was commanded by Major Robert Bagot, and among the officers were Captain John Bailie (RN) as a company commander, and his son, Lieut. Charles T. Bailie.
7: 3: 1835 – The Battalion marched to Waaiplaats post for the protection of the line above the Kap River.
9: 3: 1835 – The 1 st Battalion was in action on Waiplaats ridge, and as at this date, the enemy had lost 150 men during three days' fighting – our losses were nine killed and three wounded.
17: 3: 1835 – The 1 st Battalion P.C.L. was included in the 1 st Division under command H. Peddie of the 72 nd Regiment.
7: 4: 1835 – Captain John Bailie's company was in the assault on the Heights near Buffalo River source – Evelyn Valley.
20: 4: 1835 – The Battalion had crossed the Kei River.
10: 5: 1835 – The Battalion was in a force commanded by Col. Sir Harry Smith which moved forward from the Kei River.
13: 5: 1835 – Captain John Bailie was detached at 3 a.m. with 60 of the 1 st Battalion P.C.I. to move down the Bashee River and to rejoin Colonel Harry Smith on Mpako River – between the Bashee and the Umtata Rivers. At midnight the following night John Bailie brought his men in, having completed the longest recorded march by infantry during which several attacks by the enemy had been repulsed.
16: 5: 1835 – John Bailie with 60 men and Charles Bailie under command secured the country towards the Bashee River.
21: 5: 1835 – Mentioned in Despatches for services with this Battalion were Captains John Bailie, Henry Crause and Lieut. Charles Bailie.
15: 6: 1835 – The Battalion was patrolling from Fort Murray, which had just been established.
18: 6: 1835 – John Bailie led a patrol action over the Nahoon River (not far from East London).
24: 7: 1835 – He returned to King William's Town.
5: 8: 1835 – His company supported the Fingoes in an attack on the Khosas.
7: 8: 1835 – Again Mentioned in Despatches were Captains John Bailie and Henry Crause. 17: 9: 1835 – A treaty of peach was concluded.
2: 2: 1836 – John Bailie had made a survey of the coast up to and including Buffalo River Mouth and reported his soundings, and made recommendations for the entry of vessels, to the Government.
Courageous son
Not mentioned in the above chronological notes on the action in the field conducted by the P.C.I. are details of events in which Captain John Bailie's eldest son, Charles (aged 17) particpated, namely: 31: 8: 1827 – The actual date may have been a day or two earlier. There was an alarm of invasion by Fetcani, and Charles, among other burgers assembled under command Captain John Crause (RN) and marched to Fort Beaufort. 5: 7: 1828 – Charles Bailie joined the force under Command of Major William Dundas (R.A.) at Kaffir Drift Post for an operation beyond the Kei River. Each man had to supply his own horse and gun, and the only issue to them was a supply of beads and buttons in lieu of rations. This enabled details to barter for food. The force moved east, via Mount Coke, for Faku's Place. This was an expedition set out to meet an expected invasion by Fetcani. The force comprised: two Companies 55 th Regiment. (Colonel Mill); two Troops C.M.R. (Capt. Robert Aitchison); two guns R.A.(Major Storey). A party of burgers and settlers, among whom was Charles Bailie. 16: 7: 1828 – The expedition had the support of some Tembu regiments in an action against 1500 Fetcani on the Umtata River. The enemy were driven off. 21: 12: 1834 – The day of the outbreak of the 1834/35 War, Charles Bailie reached Grahamstown. 22: 12: 1834 – From thence to "The Hope" to assist in taking his family to Bathurst. A day later the homestead at "The Hope" was burned down. 28: 12: 1834 – The inhabitants of Bathurst were besieged and on this date 600 people were taken to Grahamstown by convoy, as an evacuation had been ordered and Bathurst was abandoned.The woman, children and baggage in the convoy occupied 70 wagons. In the defence escort of the convoy were Liuet. Edward Forbes 75 th Regiment, Charles Bailie and our others. The escort, in the course of reconnaissance found Xhosa troops in strength. Forbes and Charles Bailie rode into the attack and two of the enemy were killed and their force dispersed.On February 22,1835, Charles Bailie was appointed lieutenant in the 1st Battalion of the newly formed PCI.From March 7, 1835,he was engaged in various actions along the Kap River Line. The battalion moved forward in the main counter-attack when it was mounted on March 17, 1835. By March 22, 1835, they had reached Fort Willshire. 7: 4: 1835 – In the assault on the Heights near the Buffalo River source, Captain Thomas Cowderoy and Lieut. Charles Bailie attacked on the opposite side on the heights during the main assault. The Regiment was commanded by Captain Henry Crause in this Operation, and on
10:4:1835 Charles Bailie was mentioned in dispatches.The force crossed the Kei and on
23:4:1835 Charles conducted the burial service of 2 nd Lieut. John Armstrong of the Fort Beaufort Levy. This young man had been killed in action along The Kei River. The operations continued about the Kei and on further to the Gnabecca River.
13: 5: 1835 – In a move westward, Charles Bailie commanded the rearguard to Colonel Harry Smith.
16: 5: 1835 – He was with a detachment of 60 men of the 1 st Battalion P.C.L. which scoured the country toward the Bashee River under Captain John Bailie.
21: 5: 1835 – Charles was again mentioned in despatches for his work beyond the Kei.The force had nowmoved back to the approximate line of the Buffalo, and, on 3:6:1835 he was again mentioned in despatches for the third time.
18: 6: 1835 – He left King William's Town with Lieut. Thomas Biddulph with 30 men of the 1 st Battalion P.C.L. to patrol the ravines of the Keiskammer and Umdezina.
….DEATH AT A RIVER
21: 6: 1835 – He conducted a church parade service for the troops at King William's Town. 25: 6: 1835 – He commanded a force of 60 men of the 1 st Battalion P.C.I., taking Lieut. Thomas Biddulph with him to patrol the bush about the Tabendoda and Umdeiza Rivers. He divided the patrol, placing 30 men under Lieut. Thomas Biddulph and giving him a point of rendezvous.
Night Shelter
Lieut. Biddulph completed his task on the Umdezina and waited at the rendezvous point. Charles Bailie did not arrive there. He had the opportunity on June 26, 1835, to pursue a party of the enemy into the Keiskamma River Valley and attacked, wounding some of them. At night Charles and his men sheltered in the house of the late James Kent, trader, who had been murdered there in December. On this date, June 26,1835, after waiting at the rendezvous point, Lieut. T. Biddulph returned to King William's Town to report. On June 27, 1835, the enemy attacked at dawn, and killed one of Charles Bailie's men. He led his detachment out but seven of them were killed in the action that followed. As they reached Amalinde the enemy received strong re-inforcements and the detachment was encircled. Still undaunted and flanked on either side by the enemy he led his party to the Umnxesha River, and while crossing this, they enemy charged. All the party fell wounded except Bailie. Three of the enemy then closed with him. He shot two of these dead – one of them being the Chief Tcalecsay. Having no ammunition left, he was overpowered and he and the wounded were killed. Legend has it that two of the chiefs were so impressed by his bravery, that immediately he had been assegaied to death, his heart was cut out and eaten. Some time later the Chief Macomo was captured, and he had in his possession the Bible carried by Charles Bailie that "his force was surrounded by the enemy, that their ammunition was failing – there being sufficient for one final volley – and that thereafter they would use the butts of their muskets." On July 24, 1835, Captain John Bailie returned to King William's Town from a patrol in search of his son – whose fate at this time was unknown. The remains of Charles and his gallant followers were found on October 7, 1835. A common grave was made for them and the Rev. William Chalmers read the burial service. Charles' remains were wrapped in a kaross and placed at the East End of the grave. A small tablet has been erected, and the grave roughly fenced.
WAR AGAINST THE XHOSA WARRIORS On August 7, 1835, the late Lieut. Charles Bailie was mentioned in Despatches – this being the fourth occasion. A photographic copy of the actual citation written at Colonel Harry Smith's headquarters in King William's Town on the date mentioned is in the possession of the Regiment and reads as follows:
"The Commander-in-Chief laments deeply and sincerely the loss of Lieut. Bailie of the 1 st Provisional Battalion (with his detachment) who was as good and gallant an officer as ever served His Majesty, and who, from the commencement of the War, until his death, had never ceased to merit approbation and thanks. "It is now known that with his small party of 28 men, he protracted the most gallant and unflinching resistance for four days against many hundreds of the savages who had hemmed him in, in the deep woody ravines of the Tabendoda Mountains. Nor did that resistance cease until his ammunition was exhausted and he was mowed down and overwhelmed by the surrounding numbers of the enemy, who in gaining that advantage, the first they had gained during the war, suffered an immense loss. "For the benefit of the afflicted widow of this most amiable and excellent young officer, and for that of those of his gallant followers; the Commander-in-Chief will not fail to use every effort in his power, and he un-feignedly sympathises in their distress." The saga could be almost unending, but, for the time being it will suffice to say that over the following decades the Volunteers continued to acquit themselves with valour. Thereafter, following the cattle killing mania of 1857, the frontier districts of the Cape Colony – the old Crown Colony of British Kaffraria, experienced their longest period of peace – about 20 years. Upon the withdrawal of British troops in 1869 and 1870, when the Cape Colony was heading for responsible Government (granted in 1872) and retrenchment was the order of the day, the Colonial Government became responsible for defence in this country. Apart from a permanent force known as the Frontier Armed and Mounted Police, which became the Cape Mounted Riflemen in August, 1878, volunteer units were raised under the Burger Act of 1856 (The Volunteers and Yeomanry Bill). Signs were not lacking that there was unrest among the various Xhosa tribes, and the Colonists realised that they would be called upon again to defend themselves. This led in 1876 to the formation in East London on October 2, of the Buffalo Volunteer Rifles, which consisted of two companies. The Commanding Officer was Capt. E.Y. Brabant later General Sir E.Y. Brabant, K.C.B., C.M.G.). No. 1 Company was commanded by Captain T. Nettelton, and No. 2 Company by Captain (Baron) W.C.F. Von Linsingen, C.M.G. On the outbreak of the Gaika-Gcalecka War, the Buffalo Volunteer Rifles left East London for the Kei River on September 29,1877, and were the first volunteer unit to leave for the front. This day was actually observed as an annual public holiday in East London for 20 years after that date. The campaign cost the Cape Colonial Government R1.500.000, and the lives of 60 Europeans, and 140 Fingoes, who remained loyal to the Government. The rebels lost about, 700, among who were the chiefs Sandili Seyolo, Jali and Umvundla. Little is known of the doings of the Regiment during this campaign, and the Basuto War of 1880-1881, and the outbreaks in Griqualand East, but the following casualties sustained, and honours and awards earned, show that the Regiment was very busily engaged on active service during that period: Killed at Isandhlwana on January 22, 1879: Sgt J. Broderick (A Company); Sgt R. Krohn (A Company). Killed in Tembuland on November14, 1880: Capt. (Baron) W.C.F. von Linsingen, C.M.G.; Lieut. E.C.F. von Linsingen. Honours and awards: Royal Albert Medal, Capt. Ronnie Maclean; mentioned in dis-spatches, Capt. I.W. Maclean; Sgt. M.F. Dickerson. An interesting point about the Regiment at that time was that Captain von Linsingen's company was known as the "German company," being largely recruited from the Colonial German population. The King's Royal Rifle Corps, to which The Kaffrarian Rifles at one time had the honour to be affiliated, started its existence largely by German mercenaries, and in 1940, when The Kaffrarian Rifles mobilised, they had 200 members with German names. Following the 1877/1878 War, it is appropriate to record certain incidents leading to the death of Captain (Baron) W.C.F. von Linsingen C.M.G. On 31:12:1877 martial law had been proclaimed and on the same day three officials of the Cape Government were murdered near East London. They were W. C. Brown and Richard and John Tainton, who had helped the Rev. Stephen Kay start the Mount Coke Mission in 1827. It was Captain von Linsingen who brought their bodies home. In gratitude, the Tainton family gave him a ring bearing his crest and engraved with the words "In memory of the brothers Tainton." Three years later, the Mpondomisi Rebellion broke out. Von Linsingen was in Cape Town at this date but was immediately appointed to command a corps of recruits, chiefly descendants of the German legionaries. In October, 1880, he left Cape Town with his son, Ernst, a boy of 16, as his adjutant. A month later they went into action against the Tembu, who had sacked and burnt a trading station at Brownlee's Post, on the slopes of the hills called The Maiden's Breasts on the Tsomo River. The shop belinged to Mr Snodgrass and he and his wife just escaped with their lives.
Trapped
Many years afterwards, an aged African called Bandezelwa told W.T. Brownlee how Willhelm and Ernst Von Linsingen met their deaths on November 14, 1880. Bandezelwa was with them. He remembered how Brownlee and Commandant Von Linsigen had ridden out from Snodgrass' shop on November 13 and how, finding no sign of the enemy, Brownlee had returned to his own camp. The next day Von Linsingen and his son led their men on to the hills, accompanied by a Fingo Levy under Bandezelwa. No one knew that during the night the Tembu had gathered in force on the other side of the hill. A mile and a half from the camp, Commandant Von Linsingen was overtaken by 50 men of Landrey's Light Horse. Number of distant Tembu were thought to be spies, and the Commandant ordered Captain John Landrey to take up his position in a stone-walked cattle kraal on the side of the hill. To the right was open country, but on the left the hills sloped down and a stony ridge edged a small Krantz.
Killing
Von Linsingen sent the Fingo forward, to draw the enemy into battle, while he and his son rode on to the plain with a handul of men. Suddenly the Tembu fell on the Fingo. The Commandant sent his son back to order some of Landrey's men to go to their help. Landrey thought that the Tembu were retiring, but in reality they were drawing out the white force and preparing to attack. As the men went to the help of the Fingo, huge numbers if Tembu suddenly showed themselves on the ridge. Von Linsingen and his men swiftly mounted their horses, and galloped towards the Fingo. Badezelwa, on seeing the ridge grow black with Tembu, called to his men that each must hae himself and as the von Linsingens approached he mounted his horse and rode desperately for safety. The von Linsingens overtook him. Suddenly von Linsingen turned. Once of his men had fallen from his horse and was crying of rhelp as he ran from the Tembu. Von Linsingen whelled, reached the amn and made him mount behind him. Then, to Bandezelwa's dismay, the horse reared and plunged, and both men were thrown to the ground. Immediately Ernst von Linsingen was beside him father. Bendezelwa heard him cry, "Mount, father, mount, Mount and fly or we are lost." Von Linsingen tried to stand but failed. His thigh was broken and though his son attempted to pull him from the ground, his weight was too great.
Bendezelwa described the end in these vivid words:
"And as I looked upon him I heard a sound, the sound that tells of blood and death – the sound that tells that the spears have plunged themselves in blood – "Hi – hee-ee, hi-hee-ee, he-hee-ee!" And so I turned to see, and lo, the foe had fallen upon that man whom his chief had ridden back to save. And even as I looked I saw them sway and rush, and in an instant the prostrate body of the chief, and the young lad as he stood, were hidden from me by the surging warriors, and even as I covered my eyes with my hand to shut out that fearful sight, once more did the shout of death fall upon my ears – ‘Hi-hee-ee!' Louder and louder was the cry, "Hi-hee-ee, he-hee-ee, hi-hee-ee!" and I turned my face and once more sought to save myself in flight."
The Tainton Ring
When von Linsingen was killed, the ring which was Taintons had given him three years before was on his finger. One day, an African entered a store in the Transkei. He was wearing a ring. The storekeeper recognised it, bought it, and returned it to the family. It is now owned by von Linsingen's grand-daughter, Mrs J.V.L. Rennie, of Grahamstown. The remains of these two heroes, father and son, are interred in the German cemetery at King William's Town. After the close of the Basuto War, the Regiment, in common with other units, apparently got to rather a low ebb but on November 29, 1883, it was reformed as The Kaffrarian Rifles, under the command of Captain (later Colonel) Rowland A. Bettington. The uniform, badges and buttons of the King's Royal Rifle Corps were adopted in their entirety, and although there was no official affiliation for many years afterwards, the Regiment closely followed the 60 th Rifles in every respect. In the course of years the uniform of The Kaffrarian Rifles has undergone many changes, but it is interesting to note that the Maltese Cross helmet badge was retained, with the difference that the centre of the Badge is a Buffalo's Head, instead of the Rifle Bugle. The "Cherry" cap badge is retained, as are the black rifle buttons and rifle green headdress. The badges of rank remain black with red underlining. In 1888 Capt. Bettingto left East London, and command was taken over by Major E.J. Carrol. In 1897 the Bechuanaland Campaign broke out and The Kaffrarian Rifles called upon to provide one company. This company, 143 strong, left Eat London under command of Captain H.B. Cuming (later Colonel H.B. Cuming, C.B., V.D.) on June 16, 1897. They started their active service by marching from Vryburg to Kuruman, a distance of 90 miles, in five days. This was no mean feat in that terrain – as their successors of 1940 know after experiencing their manoeuvres over much the same country. The Regiment took a prominent part in the campaign, and were present at the only actual fight, at Gamasiep, or Fighting Kopjie. They were first up the high, and the Chief Lukas Jantje was shot by one of the officers of the Regiment The casualties ere two killed, and three wounded, and the bodies of those killed were brought back and buried in the cemetery at East London. Captain Cuming was in command of the Northern Column, and on the day following Lukas antje's death received overtures of peach from the new chief, Toto, and the results of the indaba were helioed back to Col. G.H. Dalgety of the CMR, who commanded the Bechuanaland Field Force. The following morning Toto and his followers surrendered unconditionally, and on August 27 The Kaffrarian Rifles returned to East London.
S.A. War
In 1899 Major Carrol died, and Captain Cuming assumed command with the rank of major. The Regiment was called out for active service on October 16, 1899, 300 strong, and proceeded to Sterkstroom and a chain of posts from Bushman'' Hoek to Putter's Kraal was held, one company under the command of Captain R. Maclean being mounted. Another company under Major Barnes took up stations in Pondoland, vacated by the Cape Mounted Rifles. (The post "Putters Kraal" mentioned above was a farm granted to one Henry John Bailie, for his services in the Kaflr War. H.J. Bailie was only seven months old on the death of his father – Charles Bailie in 1835.) The company held these positions until the Stormberg Reverse, and then occupied a strong position overlooking Cyphergat until January, 1900. During this period the strength of the Regiment was brought up to over 700. In February, 1900, the Regiment proceeded to Queenstown, where it was converted into mounted infantry, with six squadrons, two Maxim guns, cyclist and signalling sections. The Regiment was attached to the Colonial Division under General Brabant. It took part in actions at Dordrecht and Looperberg, the attack and capture of Labuschagne's Nek. It went on to Aliwel North and drove the enemy out of their positions, crossed into the Orange Free State and occupied Rouxville and Zastron, and then took part in the siege and relief of Wepener. On April 25 it pursued the enemy through Dewetsdorp, Thaba Nchu, and Ladybrand, and eventually came into contact at Ficksburg, which it occupied. It took part in the operations round Senekal, Doornberg, and Wittenberg, until the surrender of Prinsloo's Army on July 31, and also took part in the chase after de Wet in the Orange Free State and Transvaal, and finally took part in the operations in the Cape Colony from the invasion until the close of hostilities. In all, the Regiment was in action on more than 90 occasions, and eventually returned from active service on June 20, 1902. The casualties were 43 killed and died of wounds, and 73 wounded. For services rendred in the campaign honours were conferred upon Lieut.-Col. H.B. Cuming (C.B.), Lieut.-Col. R.H. Price(C.M.G.), Major Sir George Farrer (D.S.O.), Sgt. (afterwards Capt.) C.W. Jones (D.C.M.). Mentioned in despatches were Capt. E.S. Williams. In 1904 the late King Edward VII presented a King's Colour to the Regiment for its outstanding services during the South African War. A Colour party with Lieut. C.W. Jones as Ensign of the Colour, with an escort of nine other ranks attended at Cape Town, where the Colours was presented on behalf of the King by the Princess Christian on October 9, 1904. On its arrival at East London a parade of the Regiment was held, at which the Colour was consecrated by Archdeacon Grant, the Rector of the Garrison Church of St. John. It is most unusual for a Rifle Regiment to carry Colours but as King Edward saw fit to honour the Regiment so signally, it has proudly carried its Colours ever since. In 1905 the Regiment for the first time started to expand in the area of the old Crown Colony of British Kaffraria, thus truly justifying its name – and established "C" Squadron in King William's Town. The Somaliland Campaign saw the Regiment bent upon achieving further honours and a congratulatory cable was received from the Minister of War. In 1906 the Zulu or "Bambata" Rebellion broke out, and the Regiment again volunteered for active service. The campaign was of brief duration, although one squadron did serve attached to 2 nd Royston's Horse. The rebellion was quelled. In 1907, Col. Cuming left East London, and command of the Regiment was taken over by Lt. Col. E. Smedley Williams, V.D. In 1912 all the old Volunteer Regiments were embodied in the Active Citizen Force, and the name was altered to 5 th Infantry (Kaffrarian Rifles), and it once more reverted to the status of an infantry regiment, it having remained mounted infantry from the days of the South African War.
Disaster In 1914 the Regiment was mobilised on August 25, 1914, at about 1,000 strong, and proceeded to Cape Town, en route for German South West African, but on its way experienced the appalling train disaster. Leaving East London by rail, on September 6, 1914, the battalion proceeded in two trains, under respective command of Lieut.-Col. E. Smedley Williams, V.D., and Major Georgeson, V.D. On arrival at De Aar, the two trains were joined, and the whole, consisting of 22 coaches, proceeded southward. Descending Hex River pass on the evening of September 10, 1914, control of the train was lost and the engine and 11 coaches were derailed, some of the latter completing a double somersault before reaching the foot of the permanent way embankment. Twelve men were killed and 120 officers and men injured in the accident, and of the latter, one died during the night of his injuries. First aid was rendered by the regimental ambulance section under Major W.B. Skinner, D.S.O., and the casualties conveyed by special relief trains to Touws River and to Worcester. The Regiment still lays a wreath on the War Memorial in East London on this disaster date.
THE REGIMENTS PART IN TWO WORLD WARS When The Kaffrarian Rifles arrived in Cape Town after the Hex River disaster, the battalion camped in the historic grounds of Groote Schuur, where final intensive training proceed, reorganisation was effected and the brought up to strength by the arrival of drafts from the Border.
On September 29, 1914, the Regiment embarked in the Armadele Castle for German South West Africa, and arrived at Luderitz on October 1, forming part of the 2 nd Infantry Brigade of Brigadier General Sir Duncan Mackenzie's Division, together with the Kimberley Regiment, and at Koeman's Kop, the battalion occupied the advance position of the Brigade, a distinction maintained until the conclusion of active operations, which culminated in the attack upon Aus on March 31, 1915. The whole campaign was fast-moving and was essentially a mounted infantryman's war. The Regiment experienced considerable hardships in this desert campaign. Among important works undertaken by the battalion was the re-construction of the railway line between Aus and the base, destoryed by the enemy in his retirement. Work was done under the supervision of the late Liuet.-Col Sir George Farrar, Bart, D.S.O. – himself an honorary officer of the battalion who, on the night before his tragic death, delivered a valedictory address, eulogising the work of the battalion. With the assault upon Aus, in which the battalion sustained one casualty (Rfn. Wattmore, killed) the operations of the division ceased and the Regiment embarked for home in the City of Athens, arriving at East London on May 31, 1915. Upon demobilisation a vast majority of the battalion's personnel enlisted in overseas units for service in France or proceeded later to German East Africa, and the Regiment as a unit became practically dormant, although still in existence, until reorganisation in 1921, when the Regiment was re-formed under the command of Lt. Col. R.W. Currin, D.S.O., V.D. This started the long period between the two Great Wars. Training is dull, but during this period valuable work was done in training the youth of the country, and had it not been for men of this stamp, trained by the Active Citizen Force far greater difficulty would have been experienced in building up South Africa's Army in 1939/40. Training Camps were held annually, except for the period of the depression from 1931 to 1934, when training practically came to a standstill, owing to the Defence Vote being reduced. Between the two wards there are a number of dates that stand out in annals o the Kaffrarian Rifles. In 1925 The Prince of Wales visited South Africa, and the Regiment provided guards of honour, and also personal guards over the Royal Train at both East London and King William's Town, and in fact at the latter place the Guard Commander was invited to dinner, and sat on the Prince's left. Later, in 1925, Col. Currin was promoted to command the 2 nd S.A. Brigade, and command was taken over by Lt. Col. V.G. Lewis, M.C., V.D. In 1927 came the official alliliation of the Regiment. At about this time the numbering of units of the Active Citizen Force was dropped, and the Regiment became known as Kaffrarian Rifles. This dropping of the "The" from the name was dislike, and a few years later, following representations made by the Regiment, a UDF Force Order was published, which announced that in future Kaffrarian Rifles would be known as The Kaffrarian Rifles, which it has remained ever since. In 1933, Lt. Col. V.G. Lewis, M.C., V.D., resumed command of the Regiment, and it is entirely due to his energy, keenness and enthusiasm, that the Regiment survived those difficult times of financial stringency, and lack of interest in soldiers and soldiering by the powers that were at that time. In 1934 Prince George (later the Duke of Kent) visited South Africa, and once more the Regiment provided guards of honour at both East London and King William's Town. The Prince presented the Regiment with a signed photograph as a memento of the occasion, and this now hangs in the Officers' Mess. In July, 1936, the Regiment sustained a very serious loss, through the death of the late Brig.-General Sir Charles Crewe, K.C.M.G., C.B., V.D. Having been the Regiment's Honorary Colonel since 1905, Sir Charles Crewe's death was deeply deplored by all ranks. His lively and active interest in all the unit's activities will long be missed. His successor was Colonel W. J. Ellender who at all times showed a very ken interest in the activities of the Regiment until his death. In 1937 the Regiment was called upon to provide two other ranks for the South African Coronation contingent. Sergt. Wood, who later as a pilot in the SAAF, was killed in Libya, and Rfn. Jansen, represented the Regiment. A graceful act by the 60 th Rifles was sending a Sergt. And a rifleman to Southampton to greet them on their arrival. In 1937 Lt.-Col Lewis was promoted to command the 2 nd S.A. Inf. Bde., and he was succeeded by Lt.-Col. J. Geddes Page, D.S.O., E.D. In 1939 on the outbreak of War recruiting started apace. The Commanding Officer, following the principle of embracing the whole of what had been the old Crown Colony of British Kaffraria, opened recruiting at Stutterheim, Peddie and Komgha, where detached platoons were established. Eventually the Regiment mobilised on June 19, 1940, with a strength of 1,250 all ranks. After depositing their Colours at the Garrison Church of St. John, the Regiment proceeded to Pietermartizburg 1,000 strong, and the remaining 250 were sent to the Infantry Training Reserve Depot at Zonderwater and were drawn by the Regiment as reserves when required. The Regiment was post to 4 S.A. Inf. Bde. Which Brigade was later attached to two S.A. Division. The other two Battalions of the Brigade were the Umvoti Mounted Rifles, and the 2 nd Bn. Royal Durban Light Infantry. The Brigade was complete with all ancillary units. From the Bde. Signal Coy. A platoon was attached to The Kaffrarian Rifles and the attachment became so firm that latterly the signal platoon wore a miniature Regimental Flash superimposed on their SACS flash. During their period of training the Regiment took part in manoeuvres in the Eastern Transvaal, and in Bechuanaland. They were brought to a high state of efficiency, and at one stage took part in a divisional shoot, when every battalion in the division fired. The Kaffrarian Rifles came second, being only a few points behind the 1 st SAP Battalion, who might be considered professional shots, and the 4 th Brigade was the leading brigade, largely owing to the Regiment's high score. In July, 1941, the advance party of the Regiment left with the advance party of the Second Division for the Middle East, and in July the main body of the battalion followed with 4 th Bde, embarking at Durban on H.M.T. Nieuw Holland, and landing three weeks later at El Tewfik. After a few weeks training at Mariopolis the Regiment proceeded to El Alamein, where they took on their first task, the digging of the defences, which proved so vital the following year. After employment in various ways the Regiment saw its first action in the attack on the fortress of Bardia. Bardia proved a very tough nut to crack, the attack starting at dawn on the morning of December 31, following intensive artillery preparation, and it only finally surrendered on January 2. The Regiment went into action with tanks, and was in action throughout the whole period. It acquitted itself well but suffered rather severe casualties, one of them being the Commanding Officer, who was very severely wounded, and had to be evacuated to the Union. The second-in-command, now Lt. Col. C.G. Nettelton, O.B.E., E.D., assumed command, which he retained until the beginning of May, when Lt Col. Geddes Page returned to duty and resumed command. After Bardia story of Tobruk has been written of in various forms, and on June 21, the Regiment, through no fault of its own, was captured practically in toto. From then the story becomes one more of the individual members, rather than of the Regiment itself. To a man the members of the Regiment tried to escape, but the odds were too great, and very few got through. Lieut. Col. Geddes Page with a small party were out for three days, but were recaptured at Sidi Resegh. One success was that of Lt. Bailie (subsequently Commanding Officer of the Regiment), with his platoon Sergt. (later Capt. G.R. Norton), (V.C., M.M.) who brought a party through 570 miles of enemy occupied territory to our lines at Alamein in 38 days. Members put up very fine escapes from P.O.W. camps in Italy and Germany, some of then being recaptured, and others getting through. Those who got through to our lines joined you with other units, and carried on the traditions of The Kaffrarian Rifles in the Field. No fewer than five officers and 48 other ranks got through to Switzerland. Many of those who escaped, remained in Italy, and joined the partisan bands. There are stories of rifleman promoting themselves to the command of partisan bands of Italians, and giving excellent service and leadership. No fewer than four members of the Regiment were killed while performing their duty in this way, and at least one rifleman was awarded the Military Medal for his service with the partisans. Unfortunately, as there was only one battalion of the Regiment in existence, it saw no actual service as a unit after Tobruk. The usual L. O. B. ‘s had been left out of action, but instead of being used as a nucleus for a new battalion, they were absorbed into other units, as were the reinforcements who had been recruited on the Border. Unfortunately, as a result, the Regiment was not represented in the Sixth S.A. Armoured Division other than by the many individual members who served in other units. After the conclusion of the hostilities in 1945 Lt. Col. Geddes Page took on the task of reforming the Regiment. The very first item was the Victory parade in London, to which the Regiment was allocated one representative. After considerable sorting out, Rfn. N. P. Norton, M. M., was given this honour. Then no sooner had recruiting started in earnest than news was received of the Royal visit, and the Regiment was called upon to provide a Guard of Honour when King George VI arrived in East London. On December 31, 1946, just following the Regiment's 70 th birthday, Lt.-Colonel Geddes Page relinquished command, and was succeeded by Lt. Col. L. H. Bailie, M. C. (Bar). On February 8, 1947, the Guard of Honour, having returned from a fortnight's training in camp at Grahamstown, uplifted the King's and Regimental Colours which had laid so long in St. John's Church, and returned them to Regimental Headquarters at the Drill Hall. Then the great day arrived, and once more the Regiment provided a Guard of which it could be proud, and it did in fact receive the congratulations of the King. Colonel Bailie, the Commanding Officer, was invited to a function at Marina Glen where he sat between the King and Princess Elizabeth. When inspecting the Guard, the King decided that the King's Colour that had been so proudly carried since 1904 required replacement, and ordered that a new colour be obtained for him to present at the Investiture and Presentation of Colours on March 31,1947. Thought time was short, the new Colour arrived from England by air with just two days to spare. This made this historic parade of great importance to the Regiment. In addition to the presentation of the Colour, the Commanding Officer, Lieut. Colonel Bailie was invested with the Bar to his M. C. and the ex-Commanding Officer, Lt. Col Geddes page was invested with his D. S. O. Unfortunately the number to receive their decorations was severely limited, otherwise we would have had no fewer than 12 members of the Regiment decorated on that parade. A list of honours and awards to members of the Regiment is a source of pride and will be elaborated on fully at a later date. The writer hopes also to provide details of the creditable and meritorious service of members of the Regiment who escaped from various P. O. W. camps. On December 22, 1947, the Officer Commanding, Lieut. Colonel L. H. Bailie, M. C. (bar) received notification that a high honour had been bestowed on the Regiment and upon East London and the Border, by the announcement that the King had been pleased to assume the Colonelcy-in-Chief of the Kaffrarian Rifles. It was on October 1, 1910, that the Kaffrarian Rifles formally received their Regimental Colours at a ceremony in the city. The Colours, which were the gift of the East London branch of the League of Loyal Women, were presented on the same day as the annual inspection of the Regiment by Colonel Tim Lukin, Commandant General of the Cape Forces. This, it will be remembered, had followed the distinction of receiving the King's Colours on the orders of King Edward VII in 1904. This Colour was carried proudly until 1947 when King George VI conferred a new King's Colour on the Regiment.
FREEDOM OF THE CITY FOR THE UNIT The significant and outstanding honour of the assumption of the Colonelcy-in-Chief of The Kaffrarian Rifles by the King in December, 1947, was followed ten years later by the conferment of the Freedom of Entry on the Regiment by the City of East London.
The ceremony took place outside the City Hall on Saturday, May 25, 1957, in the presence of a distinguished gathering. The handsome scroll conferring the Freedom of the City was illuminated by a member of the municipal staff, and bears the common seal of the City Council affixed on May 25, 1957. The scroll is contained in a leather case, which is kept in a handsome wooden casket. In 1949 Lieut.-Col. L. H. Bailie, M. C. (Bar), handed over command – at first for a brief period to Major Donald Savage, pending the appointment of Commandant A. P. McLellan, E. D., as Officer Commanding. At the end of this officer's tenure of duties, command of the Regiment devolved on Commandant Claude Tiddy, E. D. Notable dates during this period were: *1953 – The Regiment was amalgamated with the First City, Grahamstown. *1956 - Amalgamated unit was disestablished and The K. R. 's and the First City regained their identities as separate units. When Commandant Tiddy was transferred to Durban, Major R. Ledingham acted as Officer Commanding until the recent appointment this year of Commandant D. Ranger, M. B. E., M. C., as C. O. of The Kaffrarian Rifles. The Regiment has a fighting man in Commandant Dennys Ranger, a 43-year-old farmer from Amabele. At the outbreak of World War II he joined up and began his wartime service with the South African Armoured Cars. He seconded to the Royal Marines in 1943 and was a platoon commander with the rank of lieutenant when he stepped ashore at Normandy in June, 1944. Those were stirring days. At 23 Lieutenant Ranger was the second oldest officer in his unit –his commanding officer was 19! He earned the Military Cross, for valour during the fighting in Holland and then the M. B. E. for an action towards the end of the campaign against the Germans. He volunteered for service in the Far East and was in Hong Kong in August, 1945, after the Japanese had capitulated. The Japs in Hong Kong were holding out and the Marines had to persuade them that it was time to move out. Commandant Ranger, who was by that time a captain, received a burst of machine-gun bullets in his leg and nearly lost the limb. However, he recovered and is fit and well. This is only an interim record of the history of our famous old Border Regiment, which has had a long line of devoted commanding officers, many of whom have had distinguished military careers and have led the regiment with distinction in both peace time and war. The late Colonel O. J. Flemmer was appointed to the Honorary Colonelcy in recent years and his loss was a great blow to the Regiment. Traditions grow with the passage of time and the colours of the regimental flash of rifle red and green symbolise respectively the blood of our force-bears, spilled on soil in defence of our homeland, and the green of the bush and grassveld over which action were fought with ever-ready spirit leading to an honourable aftermath following service with fortitude and sacrifice. The black rifle buttons are a sombre memorial to those who have fallen. The Buffalo head exemplifies the strength and determination with which our Riflemen implement the spirit of the Regimental motto, "Nunc Animis". The chief of the General Staff said in 1947: "South Africa can well feel proud that so many of her sons were commended by their comrades for valour and merit."
"There are many others who performed acts of valour, but whose acts have gone unnoticed through the absence of witnesses, as so often happens in any military action." "The guiding maxim in the evaluation of any act is that an award is only justified where the act was clearly for above what could have been expected of a man in terms of his duty as a soldier."
More was expected of the officer than of the other rank, and this is only right. The result of this dictum is to be found in the particularly high proportion of awards that have been bestowed on other ranks." "A very pleasing feature is the inclusion in the awards of a number of non-Europeans, who, under difficult conditions and in strange countries surpassed all expectations in their abilities." In regard to the last reference the writer places on record the following Xhosa translation of the prayer said by all ex-Servicemen:
Abayikukula Bebadala
Ngengati lowo osishiyileyo
Sikule sibala
Ubudala Abuyikubenza badakumbe
Nonyaka awunako ukubajika
Nokut shona kwelanga siya
Kuba kumbulabona.
To conclude, I quote hereunder the words of a song composed and written by East London's Mavis Weaver, during the 1939-1945 War.
HE'S A K.R. LAD!
He's a K.R. lad whether good or bad, he's a K.R. lad, you see!
It he's rich or poor, three to six feet-four,
we will slap him on the back with glee,
if he's Captain Roans or just Private Jones,
what a welcome there is going to be,
when he marches home, never moreTo roan,
it's a K.R. lad for me!
E X T R A CH OR US ES
You'll see Sergeant Fred Marching on ahead.
Captain Bob will be close by;
Then you'll see old Bill, Redge and Wattie still
Marching homeward side by side,
There is Padre John, Douglas follows on –
With pug and Sandy too.
Colonel Geddes' there;
Geoff is bringing up the rear,
And they're coming home to you.
And now Dennis, Ken,
Buck and all the men.
Singing songs of victory.
Les and Andy, too,
Marching home to you,
Thinking of the days to be!
Hedley's face all grins –
Thinking of his twins;
Young Norman at his side.
K.R. brave and true –
Loyal through and through,
We look up to you with pride.
THE KING'S SPEECH IN 1947
The colours which I have just presented to you call to mind many feats of arms in the history of South Africa. Each is a scroll of its regiment's glorious past. For all time, they symbolise the honour of the soldier and of his regiment. The recent war is still fresh in the experience of each one of us here today. But memory is kind and the impressions, which endure, are those of great and gallant deeds. We shall remember our comradeship in battle, with countless examples of courage and selfless devotion to duty when the passage of time has made less vivid the horrors and suffering which attended them. The champions of freedom have fought a great fight. At the cost of grave sacrifices, victory has been ours; yet further trials may await us. So, in the years to come, we must bear our Colours high. To us, they must perpetuate the heroism of our own generation; to our young men, they must to be constant inspiration to go forward with the high spirit of their fathers. I know how much these Colours mean to you, and I am proud to hand then to you myself. I do so in the most complete confidence that the honour of your country and of your regiment, of which they are the traditional sign, will be safe in your hands.
"GOD BLESS" COL BILL
from the " Riflemen" of The KR'S |
