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Page 3
It exemplifies the devotion to duty, the stubbornness in adversity, and
the great fighting qualities of the West-country man, which qualities
existed in the time of Drake, and which still exist.
A repeating of their history of the past, a record of the present, and
an example for the generation to come.
CHAPTER I
EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE SIEGE OF LADYSMITH
1899
On returning from the North-West Frontier of India at the close of the
Tirah Expedition, 1897-8, the 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, which
had served with distinction under the command of Colonel J.H. Yule in
the campaign against the Afridi clans, was ordered to proceed from
Peshawar to Jullunder, at which place it was quartered in 1898 and in
the summer months of 1899, during which time certain companies and
detachments were furnished for duty at Dalhousie, Kasauli, and Ghora
Dakka (Murree Hills), and located during the hot weather at these
places.
Towards the latter end of August, 1899, news from South Africa appeared
ominous, and war seemed likely to break out between England and the
Transvaal.
On the 8th September, 1899, confidential instructions were received from
army head-quarters at Simla ordering the Regiment to get ready to move
at short notice to South Africa, and a few days later further orders
were received to entrain on the 16th September for Bombay _en route_ to
the Transvaal, which country the Regiment was destined not to reach for
some months, and then only after severe fighting.
The companies quartered at Dalhousie and Ghora Dakka with difficulty
joined the head-quarters at Jullunder before the 16th, and the following
marches are worthy of record:--
The Dalhousie detachment marched to Pathankote, a distance of 54-1/4
miles, in two days. Major Curry, who was in command, gave each man a
coolie for his baggage, and ordered the men to get to Duneera the first
day the best way they could. At Duneera they halted for the night, and
the next day pushed on in the same manner to Pathankote, where they
immediately entrained and proceeded to Jullunder.
The Ghora Dakka detachment under Lieutenant Emerson marched to Rawal
Pindi, a distance of fifty-four miles, in two days, and then entrained
for Jullunder.
No men fell out in either party, and considering the time of year and
the intense heat, they were fine performances.
Some officers were on leave in Cashmere, and only arrived at Jullunder
as the Regiment was entraining.
On September 16th, 1899, the 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, under
the command of Major C.W. Park, left Jullunder by rail for Bombay with a
strength as under:--
25 officers, 1 warrant officer, and 842 sergeants, rank and file.
The following officers accompanied the battalion:--
Major C.W. Park, commanding.
Major M.C. Curry, second in command.
Captain M.G. Jacson.
Captain J.O. Travers.
Captain E.C. Wren.
Captain E.M. Morris.
Lieutenant P.H. Price-Dent.
Lieutenant J.E.I. Masterson.
Lieutenant A.F. Dalzel.
Lieutenant N.Z. Emerson.
Lieutenant G.H.I. Graham.
Lieutenant T.B. Harris.
2nd Lieutenant G.I. Watts.
2nd Lieutenant D.H. Blunt.
2nd Lieutenant H.R. Gunning.
2nd Lieutenant S.T. Hayley.
2nd Lieutenant H.W.F. Twiss.
Captain and Adjutant H.S.L. Ravenshaw.
Captain and Quartermaster H. Honner.
Warrant Officer Sergeant-Major G.E. Mitchell.
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