SEPTEMBER 1988 NEWSLETTER JOHANNESBURG

Mr. Hamish Paterson provided the lecture, "The Bloody Game: The Battles of Bannockburn, Killicrankie and Prestonpans" on 11th August.

Edward II embarked on an invasion of Scotland in June 1314. His main aim was to relieve Stirling Castle which was being besieged by the Scots. It had been agreed between the castle's commander and Robert the Bruce's brother that the castle would be surrendered if it had not been relieved within one year (by 24 June 1314). This arrangement made invasion a certainty and virtually guarenteed an open battle between the main Scots and English armies - an event that Bruce had striven to avoid in his successful guerrilla war against the English.

The English army consisted of some 3,000 men-at-arms and 15,000 to 20,000 infantry. The Scottish army mustered some 5,000 to 7,000 spearmen and 500 cavalry. On 23 June an English column advanced on the Scots. One of the leading nobles, Sir Henry de Bohun, recognised the Scottish king and charged. Robert the Bruce avoided his lance and split his skull as he thundered passed. The English column, somewhat shaken, then fell back on the main body. A detached force of English cavalry under the Lords Clifford and Beaumont suffered heavy casualties in an attack on the Earl of Moray's schiltron. Both armies then settled down for the night.

The following day, after being informed by a deserter that the English were discouraged, the Scots attacked. English counter attacks had the unfortunate effect of screening the Scots from the English archers. A timeous charge by the Scottish horse scattered Edwards archers when they were deployed on the Scottish left. Unable to find an effective answer to the bristling spears of the Scottish schiltrons the English force eventually broke. Heavy losses were incurred in the flight. This victory ensured Scottish independence for a further 3 centuries.

In 1689, following the offer of the Scottish throne to William and Mary by Parliament, John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee, raised the standard of King James II thereby initiating the first Jacobite Rebellion. General Hugh Mackay was duly dispatched with a force to capture Dundee and crush the revolt. After negotiating the Pass of Killiecrankie the English army was confronted by the Jacobites located in a superior position on higher ground. Both armies deployed into line, and, as the sun set, the Highlanders charged. Only one volley was fired and the Highlanders ploughed into Mackay's line which disintegrated in flight. At the moment of victory, however, Viscount Dundee was mortally wounded - a devastating blow to the Jacobite cause.

The third battle that Hamish dealt with was that of Prestonpans on 21 September 1745. In July 1745 the Young Pretender, Charles Edward, set foot on Scottish soil and began to gather support. The English garrison under Lieutenant-General Sir John Cope marched north to meet the Jacobites. The opposing armies sighted each other on 20 September near Prestonpans and Cope occupied what he considered to be a strong position. The Highlanders therefore marched east during the night in an effort to outflank Cope's position. Cope's line conformed to this movement. As the sun rose the government troops were confronted by the charging Highland line. Most of Cope's infantry only had time to fire one volley and then fled. Many casualties were lost in the pursuit. The Highlanders lost approximately 30 killed and 70 wounded to the government loss of 300 - 500 killed, 500 wounded and 1,200 - 1,500 prisoners.

Mr. George Tremoulet thanked the Speaker for his extremely interesting and well presented lecture. A particular feature was the use of some recordings of Scottish folk songs.

Tour - Harrismith Area 29/30 October 1988

A tour to the Harrismith area, including Tweefontein and Surrender Hill is currently being arranged under the leadership of Steve Watt of our Durban Branch. It will be a do-it-yourself tour with members providing their own transport and meeting at a set time and place in Harrismith. The Grand National Hotel has offered us a price of R36 per person, dinner, bed and breakfast. Please contact Steve or myself by 15 September if you would like to attend so that a block hotel booking can be made. This tour should provide a good opportunity for Johannesburg and Durban members to meet. Further details will be provided in the October newsletter.

Future Meetings

Johannesburg - September 8th -Brigadier M. - Fourie "Revolutionary Warfare on the Border."

The Johannesburg Meetings take place in the J.C. Lemmer Auditorium, S.A. National Museum of Military History, Saxonwold, Johannesburg at 20h00.

Durban
- September 8th - Mr. Ken Gillings - "The Battle of Mome Gorge (Bambata Rebellion 1.906)".

Cape Town
- September 8th - Video documentary programme dealing with the activities of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the restoration of WWII aircraft.

STEWART STILES