23 DECEMBER 1901 - FISH RIVER STATION

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A marginal note on the QSA roll page opposite the name of Ganger A Ferrier, Cape Government Railways:

 

“Patrolling line within zone of fire, also special services rendered upon the occasion of the attack by boers on Fish River Station on 23/12/01 for which he was publicly presented with a silver watch (with suitable inscription) on the 21st March /02”

 

The incident is not mentioned in any of the standard Boer War reference works. However, Rodney Constantine, whose MA Thesis covered the Guerrilla War in the Cape, is of the opinion that the attack was carried out by a small Rebel Commando under Lieut G Bester, who subsequently moved 15 miles NNW and attacked Conway Station on the night of 28 December.
Worthy of further research!