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suzard
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This message was updated on 4/7/2008 5:06:46 PM by suzard

West - Francis and Thomas
replied on: 4/7/2008 4:58:07 PM

bottom half of Bombadier Frank West interview (posted earlier)

....tenrounds sufficed to clear the Boers from their position on the hill.
On 21st Nov the right half of the 75th arrived at Fincham's Farm and left at 4pm next day for belmont. Here they found the Boers had mounted guns on kopjea 3000 yards from Belmont farm. After an hour and a halfs firing by the right section , along with the 18th battery, the Boers were again silenced. The artillery then fell back on the farm and bivouacked for the night., but owing to the pace of the march three horses died from exhaustion.
BELMONT
After three minor touches, in which there were no casualties on the british side, came the fierce engagement at belmont the next day. Reveille at 2 am, and marched towards kopjes half an hour later. Came in touch with the enemy about 5 am, they having shifted their positin during the night to a row of hills to the east of belmont station. The battery came into action for about three hours, after which the enemy retired. In all the battery took up three positions, the last being the close range of 800yds, when they were exposed to a very heavy rifle fire. The only casualties were a wound in the leg of captain farrell and two horses shot, whilst three more horses died from exhaustion on the march. After the Boers had been shook by the artillery came the bugle call, "Charge", and "it was grand to see our infantry after them over the hills* said Bombadier West.
GRASPAN
At graspan the Boers were enveloped, and when they retired they had to pass along the front of 18 pieces of artillery, which did a good deal of execution among them. In the words of Bombadier West, " it was great sport to see them rolling out of the saddle at a range of about 1000yds, before they could get to the next kopje." 3 positions were taken up by the battery,at the 2nd of which Sergt Farrier King was shot through the left arm. The battery fired 194 rounds.
MODDER RIVER
28th Nov the battery left Klockfontain at 4am and proceeded towards Modder River, and after being on the move for two hours fond the Boers in very strong positions, occupying both banks of the river. After firing at long range, the battery took up a position directly facing the enemy, where the firing at long range, the battery took up a position directly facing the enemy, where the firing was exceptionally heavy. The enemys fire and maxim-Nordenfelt fire was most galling.Not deterred however, the battery commander ordered 750 yds range, and immediately on this being complied with Major Lindsey received a severe wound in the right hand. Setting a fine example the gallant major had his hand dressed and continued in command. Capt farrell, too, was hit in the leg, but he kept in the firing line for the whole action. Lieut Lindley, however was severely wounded in the shoulder and had to go into hospital. The battle waged furiously for 13 hours, during which time neither men nor horses ate or drank, and during the fight discharged 1,208 rounds. There were 16 casualties in the battery and 17 among the horses. Next day, by the aid of the Guards, the guns were dragged across the river, the horses swimming the stream. Bombadier West captured a couple of Boer ponies, but was glad to get rid of them, and sold them to a cavalry officer for thirty shillings.
AN UNPLEASANT SWIM
Bombadier West recalled an unpleasant experience he had whilst bathing in the Modder.It was a couple of days after the engagement, and West took it into his head to have what he hoped would be a refreshing swim. he dived to the bottom of the stream, when his head came in contact with some object, and his feelings can well be imagined when a dead Boer came up with him from the depths. needless to say he was quickly out of the water.
MAGERSFONTEIN
At Magersfontein the battery had 3 days shelling the kopjes, firing 820 rounds on the second day, and remaining in action all night. The naval guns here came late action, and drew fire from the two Boer big guns, one evidently a disappearing piece of ordnance. Their aim was good and they kept up a heavy fire, but many of their shells failed to explode, due, in Bombadier West's opinion, to the fact that they were made in germany.
PAARDEURG
Along with his battery West was at the bombardment of Paardeburg. They were in action for 8 days and nights, and torrents of rain fell incessently. When Cronje surrendered, Bomadier West was one of the deport of the general , his wife, and 3500 of the enemy down to modder. "They did look poor objects" commented West, describing a......
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Column 2 to follow

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