Battle of Diamond Hill

[st helena]

Hi!,

I'm trying to find out if any one has a history of the Battle of Diamond Hill during the 2nd Boer War? has any one have any info on 'J' Battery RHA? & where they were during this Battle?and anyone have photos or pictures of the RHA(J) at Diamond Hill??

My great-uncle Gunner /Bombadier John Charles Maddock (5544) had the QSA Madal with 2 bars,one for the 'Orange Free State' & the Cape Colony.

J Battery RHA was at Diamond Hill, would have John C.Maddock have got this Bar??

Thanks:D

[Gunner 1]

D: You need to obtain a copy of History of "J" Battery, Royal Horse Artillery by Major Guilbert E Wyndham Malet, RHA. It has recently been reprinted by Naval & Military Press and can be purchased from them from their online shop. Over half of the book covers J Battery's service during the South African War. Regards, Gunner 1

[Gunner 1]

D: Further to your question concerning the Battle of Diamond Hill which was fought on 11-12 June 1900. The History of "J" Battery, Royal Horse Artillery indicates that on 10 June 1900 the battery made preparations for the next two days' engagement, later known as 'Diamond Hill'. "Colonel Henry had 700 men and the battery to hold three and half miles of front from Marks' Farm to the north and the range of hills starting 6000 yards from the main Boer position and running east and west. Shots were exchanged with the Boer outposts from the eastern extremity of the hill, near Bavaans Poort and patrols to the north of it were engaged. Unless a counter attack was made by the enemy this part of the could not be seriously engaged. At dusk, the battery returned to its former camp, and on the 12th repeated the previous day's experiences. Two Boer guns opposing the Cavalry Division were seen in action, but were entirely out of range, being over 6000 yards from the nearest point the battery could approach. The bivouac that night was south-west of Bavaans Port."

As your great-uncle only received the Orange Free State and Cape Colony clasps he did not take part in any of the operations in the first half of 1900 conducted by J Battery. He either was not with the battery when it took part in those operations (including Diamond Hill), or he was employed elsewhere at the time. Those men from 'J' Battery RHA who took part in the 'J' Battery, RHA operations in the first half of 1900 received the clasps for Johannesburg, Diamond Hill and Belfast.

Regards, Gunner 1