26 DECEMBER 1899 - MAFEKING (GAME TREE FORT/HILL)

[archie777]

Two squadrons of the Protectorate Regiment, supported by an armoured train and the Bechuanaland Rifles, were ordered to attack the enemy’s works from the left flank under Major Godley, while three guns and a Maxim prepared the way from the right front of the work. On pressing home the attack a heavy fire killed or wounded most of the officers and leading troops.

 

These succeeded in gaining the parapet, but the work was found to have been strongly roofed in and so closed as to be impregnable. The British losses were this time very serious. Captain R. J. Vernon, Captain H. C. Sandford, Lieutenant H. P. Paton, and 21 non-commissioned officers and men were killed, Captain FitzClarence and 22 men wounded, and 3 missing. 

 

Colonel Baden-Powell said:
“If blame for this reverse falls on any one it should fall on myself, as everybody concerned did their part of the work thoroughly well and exactly in accordance with the orders I had issued. Both officers and men worked with splendid courage and spirit.”
“The Colonials in South Africa 1899-1902” refers.

BSA Co Medal, reverse Mashonaland 1897: 
586 Troopr. S. Hempseed. B.S.A. Police; 
QSA, 1 clasp DoM: 64 Tpr. S. Hempseed. Protectorate Regt.

Samuel Hempseed from Dunfermline, Scotland was wounded on 26 May 1897 at Soswe’s Kraal, Marandellas while serving with the BSAPolice. He served in ‘C’ Squadron of the Protectorate Regiment during the Siege of Mafeking and died of wounds on 27 December 1899, the day following the costly action fought at Game Tree Hill.

Edited May 30 by archie777