31 AUGUST 1900 - QUAGGAFONTEIN

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“On 31 August 1900 the 3rd Cavalry Brigade under Col Little and the Colonial division under Col Dalgety were marching for Krugersdorp when they were attacked on the farm Quaggafontein (11 km east of Derby) by some 450 burghers with guns from Asst Cmdt-Gen de la Rey’s commando.

 

During the action De la Rey arrived with some 600 more burghers and artillery, and Dalgety sent the Kaffrarian Rifles on an enveloping attack around the left flank of the Boer position, where they bore the brunt of the enemy fire as the cavalry pulled back.

 

Once this was accomplished, the Kaffrarians advanced, only to be pinned down by a withering hail of bullets from Boers who had been waiting for them l on a group of rocky kopjes. They remained in this exposed position until sunset when firing ceased. The British lost 11 men killed in action and 6 officers and 26 men wounded.”
The Regimental History by Francis Coleman.