Hawken (A L)

Extract from South Lancashire regimental chronicles “Forty year a soldier” G.H.Ingram About the 10th October 1901( note: should read 1900 ), a commando of Boers were located about seven miles out at a place called Gryskop. We received orders to endeavour to find out details, It was finally settled that I should take half the section and move north on the night of the 12th October to try and intercept, and Lieut. Hanbury, with the other half, take a southerly direction, so that if possible we could catch them between two fires. All went well with my section and we arrived at our rendezvous about 3 a.m. It was' intended to try to meet about 4 am. Things went all wrong with Lieut. Hanbury. When he arrived at his rendezvous, the Boers were waiting for him and' attacked his party. Lieut. Hanbury was killed, two of, his men wounded, and the others taken prisoners. They were stripped of practically everything and sent back to the railway. Myself and party were in a fix, and hearing some shots (which must have been poor Hanbury's party). I opened out my party to about thirty to forty paces and waited developments. I had with me a young officer, Lieut. Gosling, who insisted upon coming and who had never, I am certain been on a horse before. I advised him to return as I sensed we were in for it and might have to ride for it. He said: "No. I am sticking to you!" All right! I sent on two scouts and got into touch with the Boers almost at once . . . we were evidently expected, and things soon began to hum. Bullets came thick and fast. I said ... For God's sake get back!" but he would not budge. My scouts had had a bad time; we had no possible chance. I only had eight men and, my two scouts had gone. The Boer's attack now became pretty heavy, so I decided to retire. I told Lieut. Gosling what was happening, and he said. "All right, I am coming" and off we went. We had not gone far before his horse went down, and him with it: it probably saved his life. Rescue was out of the question; there was nothing left but to try and get to the high ground. There was a .. Donga .. just in front. and at this moment my horse went down, and me, too, shot through the leg. I had one in the hand, but managed to get into the" Donga," and having a bit of cover. I did my best to keep them at bay-the others had reached the high ground and were' able to hold them off. They did not troubl