27 MAY 1901 - OSPOORT

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In the last week of May 1901, the 9th Lancers were operating in a sweep south-east of Edenburg and they were ambushed on 27 May. “A” and “D” Squadrons were farm clearing, and as “A” would eventually have to get over the neck in the hills overlooking Ospoort, the emergency squadron (“C”) was sent to support them.

 

While the clearing was going on Lieut Stirling was sent with his troop to occupy the neck, covered by the pom-pom. The three advanced points were allowed to go right through the neck and the remainder of the troop to get right underneath the kopjes, some already having dismounted, when there was a shout of “Hands up!” followed by heavy firing, as Stirling shouted “Files about!”.

 

The men all took what little cover they could find, while reinforcements were sent up on both flanks. The pom-pom getting to work effectually cleared the kopjes, and Lieut Kincaid-Smith, who had been sent up to the right, saw some 200 Boers going away north, besides a certain number leaving the different parts of the kopjes.

 

The casualties all belonged to “C” Squadron: 1 man was killed, 4 were wounded and subsequently died of wounds and 3 were wounded. 
“Diary of the 9th Lancers”, p215.