25 MARCH 1900 - BRANDFORT

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“C” Squadron received orders to visit Brandfort, about 22 miles to the north, accompanied by one squadron of the 16th Lancers, under Capt. Sloane Stanley, who moved on the west side of the railway.

 

Lieut. Duckett, with the advanced troop, got within about 200 yards of the town, and could see the people all coming out of church. Almost directly afterwards he came under heavy fire and had to retire back on the squadron.

 

The Boers were collecting in some force and tried to get around the flanks, besides pressing them in rear. 

 

Lieut. Lord F. Blackwood’s patrol on the right flank was also nearly cut off, and the squadron had to make a running fight for ten miles. At one time, the “ C “ Squadron being somewhat pressed, Capt. Lund ordered a troop to face about and charge.

 

This was well carried out and checked the Boers considerably. Sergt. Andrews and Corpl. Allin were both wounded during the retirement. Capt. Sloane Stanley was also wounded in the head, and the 16th Lancers had several casualties. Sergt. Andrews, Corpl. Green, Sergt. Hart, Ptes. Heanes and Shaw all brought men out of action and were reported for conspicuous gallantry. 

The squadron returned to camp at 7pm, having had a very hard day. 
“Diary of the Ninth Lancers in South Africa 1899-1902”by Colvin & Gordon.

 

OBE (Mil) 1st type; DCM (EdwVII) with Second Award Bar, dated 27th September 1901: 3502 Serjt. F.L. Andrews. 9th Lancers; 
QSA, 8 clasps: Natal, Belm, Mod R, RoK, Paard, Jhburg, D Hill, Witt: 3502 Serjt. F.L.Andrews 9/Lcrs (engraved naming); 
KSA, 2 clasps SA’01, SA’02: 3503 S. Serjt.-Maj. F.L. Andrews. 9th Lancers;
BWM: R.M. & Major F.L. Andrews;
IGS1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 with MiD oakleaf: Maj. F.L. Andrews, 7 Hussars;
DM privately named: “Major F.L. Andrews, O.B.E., D.C.M.”; 
Cor GV 1911 privately named: “Lieut. F.L. Andrews, D.C.M.”

 

OBE: Suppl LG 12 September 1919, p11460 “In recognition of distinguished services rendered in India in connection with the War.”
DCM: LG 27 September 1901, p6305. As noted above Sergeant Andrews was wounded in the action at Brandfort on 25 March 1900 and reported for conspicuous gallantry in bringing men out of action. It 
can be assumed that he was awarded the DCM for the Brandfort gallantry.
Bar to DCM dated 27th September 1901: LG 21 April 1903, correcting LG 31 October 1902, where he was listed for a second DCM in error. The error probably resulted from Lt-Col R W R Barnes’ recommendation in his capacity as O/C 2nd Regt. Imperial Yeomanry: 

“A most deserving case for recognition of services. He has been of the very greatest use to me as Regimental Sergeant Major and I have the highest opinion of his capabilities & reliability. He has been of great use to the 2nd I.Y.”

In this undated WO document, he stated that Andrews had not received any previous awards or mentions.

 

Frank Leon Andrews was mentioned in Lord Roberts’s despatch dated 4 September 1901 (LG 10 September 1901, p5929) and again in Lord Kitchener’s final despatch dated 23 June 1902, where he is listed as local Regimental Sergeant-Major, 2nd Battalion Imperial Yeomanry.

 

He was commissioned Riding Master and Hon. Lieutenant, 7th Hussars, 14 September 1904;

Hon. Captain, 14 September 1914; 

Hon. Major, 14 September 1917.

 

For his services on the North West Frontier of Afghanistan in 1919 he was mentioned in despatches, (LG 11 June 1920) and awarded the OBE.

A total of 12 Bars and 1 Second Bar to the DCM were awarded prior to the Great War.  Only 7 of these awards were for the Boer War of which the one to Andrews was the last to be given.