JUNE 1987 NEWSLETTER

LAST MEETING - JOHANNESBURG BRANCH - MAY 14TH 1987.

Stan Monick opened the evening with a few words on the interesting display of the 1975 Series of South African Awards. He also advised the Meeting of the Museum's aquisition of the "R.L.I. Troopie."

This month's Metro Goldwyn Hall was operated by remote control, Darrell being in the UK attending the 25th Commando Gunners' anniversary reunion. The subject was Darrell's visit to the Virginian battlefields of the American Civil War - "Bull Run to Appomattox Court House."

The main lecture of the evening, "Carrington and the Rhodesian Field Force, 1900", was presented by Dr. Philip Gon. Dr. Gon is the author of "The Road to Isandlwana" and "Send Carrington! The Story of an Imperial Frontiersman". Frederick Carrington joined the 24th Regiment in 1864. In 1875 the 24th were moved to the Cape where, in the troubles in the Diamand Fields, Carrington first raised a body of local mounted men. Two years later he commanded "Carrington's Horse" on the occasion of the annexation of the Transvaal. During the Ninth Frontier War in 1877/78 Carrington raised the Frontier Light Horse. In the operations against Sekhukhune in 1878/79 he was again prominent. Further service included the command of the Cape Mounted Rifles, the 1884/85 Warren expedition to Bechuanaland, the Bechuanaland Border Police in 1885-1893 and the Matabele rebellion of 1896/97.

During the Anglo-Boer War Carrington was appointed commander of the Rhodesian Field Force. In April 1900 this force, comprising the 17th and 18th Battalins of Imperial Yeomanry and 4000 Australians and New Zealanders, landed at Beira where it was beset by supply and transport problems. The transit camp at Bamboo Creek was fever ridden resulting in many cases before the arrivaI of the Force at Umtali and Marandellas.

In June and July 1900 elements of the R.F.F. were sent to Tuli and Mafeking. On 1st August Roberts ordered Carrington to proceed from Mafeking to Elands River to cover the retirement of the garrison following the outbreak of Boer activity in the Western Transvaal. However, De la Rey, wfth about 900 men, arrived there before him and immediately surrounded and commenced to besiege the camp. On hearing of the investment Carrington proceeded for Elands River after leaving detachments to protect his convoy. After an unsuccessful attempt at relief Carrington retreated to Mafeking after abandoning Zeerust and Ottoshoop. Carrington was severely criticised for his actions and as a result he requested permission to return home. This was duly granted - an unfortunate end to a previously unsullied colonial career.

Mr. Nick Kinsey thanked the Speaker on behalf of the Society for an extremely interesting lecture.

Future Meetings.

Johannesburg

- June 11th Mr. John Keene - "History of Military Rifle Shooting in South Africa".
- July 9th - Major Darrell D. Hall - "The Battle of the Coral Sea".

The venue for the Johannesburg meetings is the J.C. Lemmer Auditorium, S.A. National Museum of Mil itary History, Saxonwold, Johannesburg at 20h00.

Cape Town

- Contact Major Antony Gordon (021-nnnnnn).

Durban

- June 11th - Mrs. Iris Coombes will give a talk on her recent visit to Poland, with emphasis on its military and political history.

Early Warning - Day Tour Sunday 5th JuIy 1987.

A visit will be paid to the Diamond Hill Battlefield (lecture by Professor Barnard) and the Samuel Marks Museum. Full details in next newsletter.

Other matters.

Society Ties.

These attractive ties are now available at R12 each if coIlected (R12.50 if posted). They can be ordered from the Secretary at the above address.

The introduction of the Society tie has given rise to inquiries as to the meaning of the logo on the tie, which is merely a representatio of the Society's badge as it appears on the monthly newsletter. For the benefit of new members there follows a description of the badge which was designed by Mrs. E.J. Winder (Joan PelI) in 1969.

The badge consists of an upright Roman-type sword in silver and gold, thus not setting a particular period in history, crossed by three symbolic goose quilIs with white flights, cut ready for use, representing the three Forces of Land, Sea and Air, on a dark navy background. The scroll bears the initials "S.A.M.H.S." and "S.A.V.K.", i.e. "South African Military History Society" and "Suid-Afrikaanse Vereeniging vir Krygsgeskiedenis". The red and white stripes on the blue background of the tie are of no particular significance, but were merely chosen to offset the logo.

STEWART STILES