- Reaction score
- 2,889
- Points
- 940
To Lt Turner VC, Lt Cockburn VC, and Sgt Holland VC.
Leliefontein
- Thread starter George Wallace
- Start date
- Reaction score
- 6,333
- Points
- 1,160
Another fine day under the Black beret.
I shall have to sneak my Springbok into my beret as I wear it on parade today. ;D
Audax et Celer
I shall have to sneak my Springbok into my beret as I wear it on parade today. ;D
Audax et Celer
George Wallace
Army.ca Dinosaur
- Reaction score
- 208
- Points
- 710
Bold and Swift!
- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 210
The Action At Leliefontein
Around this time came the origin of the Regiment's cap badge. While a troop of the Regiment was on outpost duty in South Africa, all seemed quiet; but a sentry reported to his officer that a number of springboks were bounding frequently into the air as though alarmed. the officer ordered an The Boer Warimmediate stand-to in time to drive off an attack by a large party of Boers, who had managed a stealthy approach to the outpost. The Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Lessard, on hearing of this event, requested authority to take the springbok bounding as the Regimental Badge. In 1913 Royal approval was given. The Badge design is a springbok bounding on a veldt, surmounted on a scroll inscribed ROYAL CANADIAN DRAGOON'S...
The rest is history:The Action At Leliefontein
Around this time came the origin of the Regiment's cap badge. While a troop of the Regiment was on outpost duty in South Africa, all seemed quiet; but a sentry reported to his officer that a number of springboks were bounding frequently into the air as though alarmed. the officer ordered an The Boer Warimmediate stand-to in time to drive off an attack by a large party of Boers, who had managed a stealthy approach to the outpost. The Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Lessard, on hearing of this event, requested authority to take the springbok bounding as the Regimental Badge. In 1913 Royal approval was given. The Badge design is a springbok bounding on a veldt, surmounted on a scroll inscribed ROYAL CANADIAN DRAGOONS.
The Royal Canadian Dragoons were nearing the end of their term in South Africa's Boer War. It was November 1900 and the Regiment was garrisoned at Belfast in the province of Transvaal as part of a large flying column made up of artillery, infantry and cavalry units. The purpose of the column was to destroy outlying farms used by the Boers as outposts and attack fortified camps on the Komati River used as bases for guerilla operations. It is one of such attacks, near the farm of Leliefontein, which has become memorable for the Royal Canadian Dragoons.
In one day the flying column had advanced southward from Belfast and uprooted a Boer stronghold along the side the Komati River. There the column advanced for the night, only to be counter-attacked the next morning, November 7, 1900, by the enemy. The Boers had obviously been strongly reinforced overnight so the column was ordered back to Belfast. Covering the vulnerable rear of the withdrawal were the Dragoons under their commanding officer Lieutenant-Colonel F.L. Lessard as well as "D" Battery, Royal Canadian Field Artillery under Lieutenant E.W.B. Morrison.
The withdrawal of the column was slow due to its large supply and baggage train traveling at its rear. The column had to be safe behind the ridge before the rear-guard could abandon a covering position. Then, openly vulnerable to a Boer fire and pursuit, the Canadians had to make a two to three mile dash over a treeless plain to the next ridge with no support from the retiring column.
The Dragoons, at that time barely one hundred strong, were holding a plateau two miles long when they suddenly became aware that the enemy had almost encircled them, cropping up a semi-circle on their left and front. When the courier arrived to say that Lieutenant Cockburn's two under-strength troops on the extreme left were under heavy attack, Colonel Lessard ordered Lieutenant Morrison to retire one gun and take the other to help Lieutenant Cockburn. Galloping over a mile, much of it upgrade, Morrison got his gun into action but the Boers were swarming up their front and he asked Cockburn to extend his men forward to cover the gun. Hardly a dozen shells had been fired when the gunners saw a large party of Boers coming in on their left rear. Cockburn saw them too, and as the half section limbered up and galloped back, the young officer thrust his men between the gun and the oncoming enemy. Only thirty in all, they stood firm against the onslaught of two hundred Boers. It was splendid sacrificed as the small party was wiped out. Six escaped, the rest were killed, wounded or taken prisoner, and among the latter was Lieutenant Cockburn.
The gun got away but was not safe. The horses, spent from the second straight day of strenuous action, slowed from a gallop to a trot, then to a walk. Morrison unlimbered and again went into action. A running fight followed, the cavalry resisting every inch of the way, the gunners, with ammunition running dangerously low, deliberately picking best targets.
With the Boers barely three hundred yards away the gun was again in jeopardy. Limbering up, Morrison once again attempted to gain the ridge. The brief respite had helped the exhausted horses and the gun crew ran beside the carriage to lighten the load, but only one trooper remained an escort and Morrison sent him off to ask aid from Colonel Lessard. The Dragoons were involved in a furious battle all across the plain and the trooper gave his message to the first officer he found, Lieutenant R.E.W. Turner.
Lieutenant Turner, already wounded in the neck and arm, promptly led his troop to the rescue. Only a dozen strong, they galloped over, threw themselves from their horses and poured volley after volley into the advancing Boers, by the not fifty yards away. Again the gun got away, reached the ridge and once more went into action. Miraculously, Turner and his men escaped both death and capture.
As every rifle was vital to the Dragoons, Sergeant Holland, alone and under heavy enemy attack, continued to operate the Colt machine gun, it's deadly burst of fire taking terrible toll but not stopping the Boer advance. Leaving withdrawal to the last possible moment, Sergeant Holland invited capture the barely escaped, saving his gun by lifting it from it's mounting and galloping off with the weapon under his arm. Having failed to capture any guns, the Boer pursuit tapered off and by late afternoon the column and rear-guard were all back in camp. In view of the fierce and prolonged action, the Canadian casualties were light but higher than for any one previous engagement. Lieutenant Cockburn, released by the Boers later that same day, Lieutenant Turner and Sergeant Holland were all awarded the Victoria Cross for outstanding courage, valour and devotion in the face of the enemy, and Private W.A. Knisley, the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Lieutenant Morrison received the Distinguished Service Order for his part in the day's work.
In the hot South African afternoon sun, as the bullets whizzed past like angry hornets, the men were yelling and the horses ranted in fear. Behind them, the enemy was closing fast, determined to succeed. The enemy General knew if he could get his troops among the fleeing baggage train, he could decimate it piecemeal. He had called upon the neighbouring villages and townships to throw in with their force and attack the withdrawing column. He would not only gain much needed horses, supplies and firepower, but he would score a much needed psychological victory for his people. He could feel success within his grasp. He sensed the fear and panic in the long train of carts and wagons stretched out on the veldt before him. One more ridge… gain the upper ground… the battle would be won.
The date was one he knew he would remember, 7 November 1900, The ridge… Leliefontein.
On that ridge were 90 mounted riflemen, which was a paltry force compared to his three columns of mounted bushmen, over 300 men in all. He was not concerned about these 90 men, for he knew they were British, and he knew he could pick them off as he bypassed them. The truth he could not know, until it was too late: these valiant mounted riflemen were not British. They were Canadian. They were Dragoons.
These men from the Royal Canadian Dragoons knew they faced at least one Commando company of Boers. They guessed they would face about one hundred men, which was a force equivalent to their own. They had two five-pounder cannons from "D" Battery, The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, and a Colt machine gun attached. They felt comfortable in facing the Boers. Their task was relatively simple: screen the withdrawal of the British supply column that was slowly making its way North. They watched the Boer Carolina Commando's galloping approach and then peered over their shoulders at the painfully slow moving train. The Canadian guns, under Lt. Morrison, were deployed to cover the advancing Boers, and two troops of Dragoons, with Lt. Cockburn, were deployed to protect them. This left one troop and the machine gun in reserve under Lt Turner. As the Boers closed, the cannons fired and delayed their onslaught, just as Col Lessard, the commander of this small force of Dragoons, had planned. His men did not waiver. The Boers continued to advance.
Suddenly, to the shock of Col Lessard and his small force, two more large companies of Boers could be seen approaching the ridgeline from different directions. He rapidly deployed his reserve in such a way to cover the cannons as they limbered up to withdraw. "For God's sake, Morrison , save your guns!" he roared. At this point, Sgt E.J. Holland pulled his caisson mounted machine gun up to the left flank to help cover the withdrawing guns. As the Boers approached to sixty meters, Sgt Holland opened up. His first burst killed the two senior officers of the Carolina Commando who had been riding white horses, while their men rode black or brown. This made them too conspicuous on the battlefield, and Sgt Holland made good on the advantage that had been given to him. Sgt Holland began receiving withering rifle fire around both him and Tpr Knisley, the young solder who was holding his horses. Lt Turner pushed his reserve troop forward to screen the guns from the Boers.
This distracted the advancing Boers from Sgt Holland long enough for him to lift the smoking gun, which had jammed, from its caisson and ride off with it in his arms. Lt Turner, urging his men to fight on cried out, " Never let it be said that the Canadians let their guns be captured!" Shortly after, his Troop Sgt, Sgt Builder lay on the ground, mortally wounded. Lt Turner himself was wounded twice, in the neck and arm. Still he urged his men to hold. He ran for his horse and headed for the main body, desperately seeking reserves. His remaining troop members, all wounded and fighting desperately, were eventually to be captured by the Boers.
Meanwhile on the right flank, Lt Cockburn, was also pushing his two troops and forced them to hold ground, as yet another Commando advanced up the ridge intent on taking the guns. Under withering fire, his troops continued to hold the Boers off as best they could. As the guns made their way off the ridge, the Dragoons began to fall back. Lt Cockburn lay wounded under his dead horse, and his troop fought a fighting withdrawal to continue to delay the Boers and but precious time. As the guns and Dragoons fell back off the ridge, the Boer rifle fire slackened then ceased.
The Dragoons had accomplished their mission. Although the Boers had gained the ridge, it was too late for them to put effective fire onto the wagon train; it was safe. The Dragoons suffered three dead and eleven wounded. Lt Cockburn and the sixteen soldiers of Lt Turner’s troop, were captured but released unharmed by the Boers several hours later. For their gallant actions Lt Turner, Lt Cockburn and Sgt Holland were awarded the Victoria Cross, a unique event in Canadian military history. Lt Morrison of the RCHA was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and the young Trooper who held Sgt Holland’s horse, Tpr Knisley, was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.
To all Dragoons past and present....it's a good day to be a Dragoon.
Bold and Swift.
Scoty B
Around this time came the origin of the Regiment's cap badge. While a troop of the Regiment was on outpost duty in South Africa, all seemed quiet; but a sentry reported to his officer that a number of springboks were bounding frequently into the air as though alarmed. the officer ordered an The Boer Warimmediate stand-to in time to drive off an attack by a large party of Boers, who had managed a stealthy approach to the outpost. The Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Lessard, on hearing of this event, requested authority to take the springbok bounding as the Regimental Badge. In 1913 Royal approval was given. The Badge design is a springbok bounding on a veldt, surmounted on a scroll inscribed ROYAL CANADIAN DRAGOON'S...
The rest is history:The Action At Leliefontein
Around this time came the origin of the Regiment's cap badge. While a troop of the Regiment was on outpost duty in South Africa, all seemed quiet; but a sentry reported to his officer that a number of springboks were bounding frequently into the air as though alarmed. the officer ordered an The Boer Warimmediate stand-to in time to drive off an attack by a large party of Boers, who had managed a stealthy approach to the outpost. The Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Lessard, on hearing of this event, requested authority to take the springbok bounding as the Regimental Badge. In 1913 Royal approval was given. The Badge design is a springbok bounding on a veldt, surmounted on a scroll inscribed ROYAL CANADIAN DRAGOONS.
The Royal Canadian Dragoons were nearing the end of their term in South Africa's Boer War. It was November 1900 and the Regiment was garrisoned at Belfast in the province of Transvaal as part of a large flying column made up of artillery, infantry and cavalry units. The purpose of the column was to destroy outlying farms used by the Boers as outposts and attack fortified camps on the Komati River used as bases for guerilla operations. It is one of such attacks, near the farm of Leliefontein, which has become memorable for the Royal Canadian Dragoons.
In one day the flying column had advanced southward from Belfast and uprooted a Boer stronghold along the side the Komati River. There the column advanced for the night, only to be counter-attacked the next morning, November 7, 1900, by the enemy. The Boers had obviously been strongly reinforced overnight so the column was ordered back to Belfast. Covering the vulnerable rear of the withdrawal were the Dragoons under their commanding officer Lieutenant-Colonel F.L. Lessard as well as "D" Battery, Royal Canadian Field Artillery under Lieutenant E.W.B. Morrison.
The withdrawal of the column was slow due to its large supply and baggage train traveling at its rear. The column had to be safe behind the ridge before the rear-guard could abandon a covering position. Then, openly vulnerable to a Boer fire and pursuit, the Canadians had to make a two to three mile dash over a treeless plain to the next ridge with no support from the retiring column.
The Dragoons, at that time barely one hundred strong, were holding a plateau two miles long when they suddenly became aware that the enemy had almost encircled them, cropping up a semi-circle on their left and front. When the courier arrived to say that Lieutenant Cockburn's two under-strength troops on the extreme left were under heavy attack, Colonel Lessard ordered Lieutenant Morrison to retire one gun and take the other to help Lieutenant Cockburn. Galloping over a mile, much of it upgrade, Morrison got his gun into action but the Boers were swarming up their front and he asked Cockburn to extend his men forward to cover the gun. Hardly a dozen shells had been fired when the gunners saw a large party of Boers coming in on their left rear. Cockburn saw them too, and as the half section limbered up and galloped back, the young officer thrust his men between the gun and the oncoming enemy. Only thirty in all, they stood firm against the onslaught of two hundred Boers. It was splendid sacrificed as the small party was wiped out. Six escaped, the rest were killed, wounded or taken prisoner, and among the latter was Lieutenant Cockburn.
The gun got away but was not safe. The horses, spent from the second straight day of strenuous action, slowed from a gallop to a trot, then to a walk. Morrison unlimbered and again went into action. A running fight followed, the cavalry resisting every inch of the way, the gunners, with ammunition running dangerously low, deliberately picking best targets.
With the Boers barely three hundred yards away the gun was again in jeopardy. Limbering up, Morrison once again attempted to gain the ridge. The brief respite had helped the exhausted horses and the gun crew ran beside the carriage to lighten the load, but only one trooper remained an escort and Morrison sent him off to ask aid from Colonel Lessard. The Dragoons were involved in a furious battle all across the plain and the trooper gave his message to the first officer he found, Lieutenant R.E.W. Turner.
Lieutenant Turner, already wounded in the neck and arm, promptly led his troop to the rescue. Only a dozen strong, they galloped over, threw themselves from their horses and poured volley after volley into the advancing Boers, by the not fifty yards away. Again the gun got away, reached the ridge and once more went into action. Miraculously, Turner and his men escaped both death and capture.
As every rifle was vital to the Dragoons, Sergeant Holland, alone and under heavy enemy attack, continued to operate the Colt machine gun, it's deadly burst of fire taking terrible toll but not stopping the Boer advance. Leaving withdrawal to the last possible moment, Sergeant Holland invited capture the barely escaped, saving his gun by lifting it from it's mounting and galloping off with the weapon under his arm. Having failed to capture any guns, the Boer pursuit tapered off and by late afternoon the column and rear-guard were all back in camp. In view of the fierce and prolonged action, the Canadian casualties were light but higher than for any one previous engagement. Lieutenant Cockburn, released by the Boers later that same day, Lieutenant Turner and Sergeant Holland were all awarded the Victoria Cross for outstanding courage, valour and devotion in the face of the enemy, and Private W.A. Knisley, the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Lieutenant Morrison received the Distinguished Service Order for his part in the day's work.
In the hot South African afternoon sun, as the bullets whizzed past like angry hornets, the men were yelling and the horses ranted in fear. Behind them, the enemy was closing fast, determined to succeed. The enemy General knew if he could get his troops among the fleeing baggage train, he could decimate it piecemeal. He had called upon the neighbouring villages and townships to throw in with their force and attack the withdrawing column. He would not only gain much needed horses, supplies and firepower, but he would score a much needed psychological victory for his people. He could feel success within his grasp. He sensed the fear and panic in the long train of carts and wagons stretched out on the veldt before him. One more ridge… gain the upper ground… the battle would be won.
The date was one he knew he would remember, 7 November 1900, The ridge… Leliefontein.
On that ridge were 90 mounted riflemen, which was a paltry force compared to his three columns of mounted bushmen, over 300 men in all. He was not concerned about these 90 men, for he knew they were British, and he knew he could pick them off as he bypassed them. The truth he could not know, until it was too late: these valiant mounted riflemen were not British. They were Canadian. They were Dragoons.
These men from the Royal Canadian Dragoons knew they faced at least one Commando company of Boers. They guessed they would face about one hundred men, which was a force equivalent to their own. They had two five-pounder cannons from "D" Battery, The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, and a Colt machine gun attached. They felt comfortable in facing the Boers. Their task was relatively simple: screen the withdrawal of the British supply column that was slowly making its way North. They watched the Boer Carolina Commando's galloping approach and then peered over their shoulders at the painfully slow moving train. The Canadian guns, under Lt. Morrison, were deployed to cover the advancing Boers, and two troops of Dragoons, with Lt. Cockburn, were deployed to protect them. This left one troop and the machine gun in reserve under Lt Turner. As the Boers closed, the cannons fired and delayed their onslaught, just as Col Lessard, the commander of this small force of Dragoons, had planned. His men did not waiver. The Boers continued to advance.
Suddenly, to the shock of Col Lessard and his small force, two more large companies of Boers could be seen approaching the ridgeline from different directions. He rapidly deployed his reserve in such a way to cover the cannons as they limbered up to withdraw. "For God's sake, Morrison , save your guns!" he roared. At this point, Sgt E.J. Holland pulled his caisson mounted machine gun up to the left flank to help cover the withdrawing guns. As the Boers approached to sixty meters, Sgt Holland opened up. His first burst killed the two senior officers of the Carolina Commando who had been riding white horses, while their men rode black or brown. This made them too conspicuous on the battlefield, and Sgt Holland made good on the advantage that had been given to him. Sgt Holland began receiving withering rifle fire around both him and Tpr Knisley, the young solder who was holding his horses. Lt Turner pushed his reserve troop forward to screen the guns from the Boers.
This distracted the advancing Boers from Sgt Holland long enough for him to lift the smoking gun, which had jammed, from its caisson and ride off with it in his arms. Lt Turner, urging his men to fight on cried out, " Never let it be said that the Canadians let their guns be captured!" Shortly after, his Troop Sgt, Sgt Builder lay on the ground, mortally wounded. Lt Turner himself was wounded twice, in the neck and arm. Still he urged his men to hold. He ran for his horse and headed for the main body, desperately seeking reserves. His remaining troop members, all wounded and fighting desperately, were eventually to be captured by the Boers.
Meanwhile on the right flank, Lt Cockburn, was also pushing his two troops and forced them to hold ground, as yet another Commando advanced up the ridge intent on taking the guns. Under withering fire, his troops continued to hold the Boers off as best they could. As the guns made their way off the ridge, the Dragoons began to fall back. Lt Cockburn lay wounded under his dead horse, and his troop fought a fighting withdrawal to continue to delay the Boers and but precious time. As the guns and Dragoons fell back off the ridge, the Boer rifle fire slackened then ceased.
The Dragoons had accomplished their mission. Although the Boers had gained the ridge, it was too late for them to put effective fire onto the wagon train; it was safe. The Dragoons suffered three dead and eleven wounded. Lt Cockburn and the sixteen soldiers of Lt Turner’s troop, were captured but released unharmed by the Boers several hours later. For their gallant actions Lt Turner, Lt Cockburn and Sgt Holland were awarded the Victoria Cross, a unique event in Canadian military history. Lt Morrison of the RCHA was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and the young Trooper who held Sgt Holland’s horse, Tpr Knisley, was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.
To all Dragoons past and present....it's a good day to be a Dragoon.
Bold and Swift.
Scoty B
- Reaction score
- 2
- Points
- 430
It's yet another great day to be a Dragoon!
In the hot South African afternoon sun, as the bullets whizzed past like angry hornets, the men were yelling and the horses ranted in fear. Behind them, the enemy was closing fast, determined to succeed. The enemy General knew if he could get his troops among the fleeing baggage train, he could decimate it piecemeal. He had called upon the neighbouring villages and townships to throw in with their force and attack the withdrawing column. He would not only gain much needed horses, supplies and firepower, but he would score a much needed psychological victory for his people. He could feel success within his grasp. He sensed the fear and panic in the long train of carts and wagons stretched out on the veldt before him. One more ridge… gain the upper ground… the battle would be won. The date was one he knew he would remember, 7 November 1900, The ridge… Leliefontein. On that ridge were 90 mounted riflemen, which was a paltry force compared to his three columns of mounted bushmen, over 300 men in all. He was not concerned about these 90 men, for he knew they were British, and he knew he could pick them off as he bypassed them. The truth he could not know, until it was too late: these valiant mounted riflemen were not British. They were Canadian. They were Dragoons.
These men from the Royal Canadian Dragoons knew they faced at least one Commando company of Boers. They guessed they would face about one hundred men, which was a force equivalent to their own. They had two five-pounder cannons from "D" Battery, The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, and a Colt machine gun attached. They felt comfortable in facing the Boers. Their task was relatively simple: screen the withdrawal of the British supply column that was slowly making its way North. They watched the Boer Carolina Commando's galloping approach and then peered over their shoulders at the painfully slow moving train. The Canadian guns, under Lt. Morrison, were deployed to cover the advancing Boers, and two troops of Dragoons, with Lt. Cockburn, were deployed to protect them. This left one troop and the machine gun in reserve under Lt Turner. As the Boers closed, the cannons fired and delayed their onslaught, just as Col Lessard, the commander of this small force of Dragoons, had planned. His men did not waiver. The Boers continued to advance. Suddenly, to the shock of Col Lessard and his small force, two more large companies of Boers could be seen approaching the ridgeline from different directions. He rapidly deployed his reserve in such a way to cover the cannons as they limbered up to withdraw. "For God's sake, Morrison , save your guns!" he roared. At this point, Sgt E.J. Holland pulled his caisson mounted machine gun up to the left flank to help cover the withdrawing guns. As the Boers approached to sixty meters, Sgt Holland opened up. His first burst killed the two senior officers of the Carolina Commando who had been riding white horses, while their men rode black or brown. This made them too conspicuous on the battlefield, and Sgt Holland made good on the advantage that had been given to him. Sgt Holland began receiving withering rifle fire around both him and Tpr Knisley, the young solder who was holding his horses. Lt Turner pushed his reserve troop forward to screen the guns from the Boers. This distracted the advancing Boers from Sgt Holland long enough for him to lift the smoking gun, which had jammed, from its caisson and ride off with it in his arms. Lt Turner, urging his men to fight on cried out, " Never let it be said that the Canadians let their guns be captured!" Shortly after, his Troop Sgt, Sgt Builder lay on the ground, mortally wounded. Lt Turner himself was wounded twice, in the neck and arm. Still he urged his men to hold. He ran for his horse and headed for the main body, desperately seeking reserves. His remaining troop members, all wounded and fighting desperately, were eventually to be captured by the Boers.
Meanwhile on the right flank, Lt Cockburn, was also pushing his two troops and forced them to hold ground, as yet another Commando advanced up the ridge intent on taking the guns. Under withering fire, his troops continued to hold the Boers off as best they could. As the guns made their way off the ridge, the Dragoons began to fall back. Lt Cockburn lay wounded under his dead horse, and his troop fought a fighting withdrawal to continue to delay the Boers and but precious time. As the guns and Dragoons fell back off the ridge, the Boer rifle fire slackened then ceased. The Dragoons had accomplished their mission. Although the Boers had gained the ridge, it was too late for them to put effective fire onto the wagon train; it was safe. The Dragoons suffered three dead and eleven wounded. Lt Cockburn and the sixteen soldiers of Lt Turner’s troop, were captured but released unharmed by the Boers several hours later. For their gallant actions Lt Turner, Lt Cockburn and Sgt Holland were awarded the Victoria Cross, a unique event in Canadian military history. Lt Morrison of the RCHA was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and the young Trooper who held Sgt Holland’s horse, Tpr Knisley, was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.
Bold and Swift.
In the hot South African afternoon sun, as the bullets whizzed past like angry hornets, the men were yelling and the horses ranted in fear. Behind them, the enemy was closing fast, determined to succeed. The enemy General knew if he could get his troops among the fleeing baggage train, he could decimate it piecemeal. He had called upon the neighbouring villages and townships to throw in with their force and attack the withdrawing column. He would not only gain much needed horses, supplies and firepower, but he would score a much needed psychological victory for his people. He could feel success within his grasp. He sensed the fear and panic in the long train of carts and wagons stretched out on the veldt before him. One more ridge… gain the upper ground… the battle would be won. The date was one he knew he would remember, 7 November 1900, The ridge… Leliefontein. On that ridge were 90 mounted riflemen, which was a paltry force compared to his three columns of mounted bushmen, over 300 men in all. He was not concerned about these 90 men, for he knew they were British, and he knew he could pick them off as he bypassed them. The truth he could not know, until it was too late: these valiant mounted riflemen were not British. They were Canadian. They were Dragoons.
These men from the Royal Canadian Dragoons knew they faced at least one Commando company of Boers. They guessed they would face about one hundred men, which was a force equivalent to their own. They had two five-pounder cannons from "D" Battery, The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, and a Colt machine gun attached. They felt comfortable in facing the Boers. Their task was relatively simple: screen the withdrawal of the British supply column that was slowly making its way North. They watched the Boer Carolina Commando's galloping approach and then peered over their shoulders at the painfully slow moving train. The Canadian guns, under Lt. Morrison, were deployed to cover the advancing Boers, and two troops of Dragoons, with Lt. Cockburn, were deployed to protect them. This left one troop and the machine gun in reserve under Lt Turner. As the Boers closed, the cannons fired and delayed their onslaught, just as Col Lessard, the commander of this small force of Dragoons, had planned. His men did not waiver. The Boers continued to advance. Suddenly, to the shock of Col Lessard and his small force, two more large companies of Boers could be seen approaching the ridgeline from different directions. He rapidly deployed his reserve in such a way to cover the cannons as they limbered up to withdraw. "For God's sake, Morrison , save your guns!" he roared. At this point, Sgt E.J. Holland pulled his caisson mounted machine gun up to the left flank to help cover the withdrawing guns. As the Boers approached to sixty meters, Sgt Holland opened up. His first burst killed the two senior officers of the Carolina Commando who had been riding white horses, while their men rode black or brown. This made them too conspicuous on the battlefield, and Sgt Holland made good on the advantage that had been given to him. Sgt Holland began receiving withering rifle fire around both him and Tpr Knisley, the young solder who was holding his horses. Lt Turner pushed his reserve troop forward to screen the guns from the Boers. This distracted the advancing Boers from Sgt Holland long enough for him to lift the smoking gun, which had jammed, from its caisson and ride off with it in his arms. Lt Turner, urging his men to fight on cried out, " Never let it be said that the Canadians let their guns be captured!" Shortly after, his Troop Sgt, Sgt Builder lay on the ground, mortally wounded. Lt Turner himself was wounded twice, in the neck and arm. Still he urged his men to hold. He ran for his horse and headed for the main body, desperately seeking reserves. His remaining troop members, all wounded and fighting desperately, were eventually to be captured by the Boers.
Meanwhile on the right flank, Lt Cockburn, was also pushing his two troops and forced them to hold ground, as yet another Commando advanced up the ridge intent on taking the guns. Under withering fire, his troops continued to hold the Boers off as best they could. As the guns made their way off the ridge, the Dragoons began to fall back. Lt Cockburn lay wounded under his dead horse, and his troop fought a fighting withdrawal to continue to delay the Boers and but precious time. As the guns and Dragoons fell back off the ridge, the Boer rifle fire slackened then ceased. The Dragoons had accomplished their mission. Although the Boers had gained the ridge, it was too late for them to put effective fire onto the wagon train; it was safe. The Dragoons suffered three dead and eleven wounded. Lt Cockburn and the sixteen soldiers of Lt Turner’s troop, were captured but released unharmed by the Boers several hours later. For their gallant actions Lt Turner, Lt Cockburn and Sgt Holland were awarded the Victoria Cross, a unique event in Canadian military history. Lt Morrison of the RCHA was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and the young Trooper who held Sgt Holland’s horse, Tpr Knisley, was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.
Bold and Swift.
- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 210
Tomorrow another day cometh... NOV 11..
I will be wearing my dress ,,, shoe's high-
ly shone. Perfectly perfect crease on my
gery trouser's... Blaser(with RCD Crest)in
perfect order... Medal's(3 on the tree)
lookin sharp... But most importanly the
RCD Capbadge(shined up and gleaming)
I will be there for you brother's and sis-
ter's on remembrance day.. Those medal's
we earned we earned through blood,sweat
and tear's,, as our ancestor's did. So hav-
ing said that I will proudly see you on parade
tommorrow... Bless you all... Cheer's
Scoty B
I will be wearing my dress ,,, shoe's high-
ly shone. Perfectly perfect crease on my
gery trouser's... Blaser(with RCD Crest)in
perfect order... Medal's(3 on the tree)
lookin sharp... But most importanly the
RCD Capbadge(shined up and gleaming)
I will be there for you brother's and sis-
ter's on remembrance day.. Those medal's
we earned we earned through blood,sweat
and tear's,, as our ancestor's did. So hav-
ing said that I will proudly see you on parade
tommorrow... Bless you all... Cheer's
Scoty B
George Wallace
Army.ca Dinosaur
- Reaction score
- 208
- Points
- 710
The All Ranks Dance was well attended. Good crowd of members who returned to attend the festivities. I am sorry that I arrived too late to see some who had to leave right after the Parade.
George Wallace
Army.ca Dinosaur
- Reaction score
- 208
- Points
- 710
Today is 7 Nov and once again a somber day to remember the Battle of Leliefontein.
Celer et audax
Celer et audax
George Wallace
Army.ca Dinosaur
- Reaction score
- 208
- Points
- 710
The painting depicts Lt Morrison and the No. 2 Ottawa Field Battery “The Bytown Gunners,” (perpetuated by the 30th Regiment of Canadian Artillery) saving their Gun, while Sgt Holland fires the Colt machine gun, until he has to dismount it and ride off with it under his arm. Lt Cockburn and Lt Turner are also depicted, as is Tpr Knisley. For their gallant actions Lt Turner, Lt Cockburn and Sgt Holland were awarded the Victoria Cross, a unique event in Canadian military history. Lt Morrison of the No. 2 Ottawa Field Battery was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and the young Trooper who held Sgt Holland’s horse, Tpr Knisley, was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.
- Reaction score
- 6,333
- Points
- 1,160
Bold and Swift! BZ Dragoons. 
recceguy said:Bold and Swift! BZ Dragoons.
Indeed! In 2000 the Robin Brass Studio included a study I prepared on Leliefontein In Fighting for Canada: Seven Battles 1758-1945. Here are some extracts from its summary:
What lessons can be learned from Leliefontein? First and foremost, leadership and personal example count for much in war. Lieutenant Hampden Cockburn willing led his men into danger to give Morrison and his gunners a few extra minutes to extricate their gun. Lieutenant Richard Turner, bleeding profusely, inspired soldiers to join him in placing themselves between the Boers and the gun, again to buy time for the gunners. Lieutenant Edward Morrison's energy and zeal were impressive. Last but not least, Lieutenant Colonel Lessard fought with his men throughout the long, desperate struggle up slope. It was in the best traditions of the military profession that he was among the last of his Dragoons to crest the ridge and it was a pity that, by the convention of the time, commanding officers were deemed ineligible for gallantry awards. . .
Finally, units composed of soldiers who have served together for a considerable period are an invaluable asset. Fighting units, at all costs, must not be subjected to ad hoc organizational changes or undue personal turbulence. While Leliefontein may be unique in the number of decorations won, it is not unique as an example of what strong leadership and determined men can accomplish in the most desperate of circumstances. Hopefully, this is a lesson that need not be relearned.
George Wallace
Army.ca Dinosaur
- Reaction score
- 208
- Points
- 710
Here is a blast from the Past.....November 1983....The Freedom of the City of Lahr and the Centennial Parade of The RCD:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hwf0H6WIu7M&feature=player_embedded
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hwf0H6WIu7M&feature=player_embedded
- Reaction score
- 6,333
- Points
- 1,160
Old Sweat said:
Thanks OS!
