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— 304 RECRUITS FOR SCOTTISH HORSE. IN addition to the Contingents, authority was given for enrolment of 250 men for the Marquis of Tullibardine's Scottish Horse, in South Africa. These men were selected by the acting Assistant Adjutant- General, Victoria, and handed over to Lieut.-Colonel Creagh, who acted for the Marquis of Tulli- bardine. A large portion of those chosen were men who had passed all tests for the 5th Victorian Contingent, but who were thrown out in the ballot. This Contingent proceeded to South Africa in the Orient as indulgence pas- sengers, 15th February, 1901. They were noted by the Officer Commanding troops as amongst the very best on board. On arrival they were all accepted for the 2nd Battalion, and they gave a good account of themselves during their service. Many of them were in the heroic defence of the guns at Brakenlaagte,— 30th October, 1901, of which Lord Tullibardine in his despatch, wrote : " The next fight was a big one at Brakenlaagte, where Colonel Benson and Major Murray were both killed. The men did magnificently, trying to save the guns ; only 96 were engaged at this point, and they stuck it out until only 6 were left unhit. Their casualties were—5 officers, 28 men killed ; 4 officers, 36 men wounded ; total, 73 out of 96—all the officers being hit. I don't think I ever heard of better or more deter- mined fighting. Although we lost the guns, the camp was saved by the delay, and the men really did cover themselves with glory." The officers killed were Major F. D. Murray, Captains M. W. H. Lindsay, A. Inglis, Lieutenants C. Woodman, J. B. Kelly. Wounded—Captain A. C. Murray, Lieutenants W. Campbell, T. Finis, A. C. Wardrop. Captain Murray, though wounded, was the on'y senior officer available to take temporary charge of the residue of the party. He was subsequently elected to proceed to England in charge of the detail of Scottish Horse to attend the coronation of King Edward VII. 305 SPECIAL SERVICE OFFICERS FOR description of this species of service, vide New South Wales, under that heading, p. 195. Major-General (then Colonel) Sir John Hoad, K.C.M.G. Vide 1st Victorian Contingent. Lieut. -Colonel C. E, Umphelby. Lieut. -Colonel Umphelby, Royal Australian Artillery, proceeded to South Africa by the transport Aberdeen, on 8th November, 1899, and arrived at Cape Town early in December. He was, in the first instance, employed as Press Censor at the base ; a post for which his acquirements as a linguist especially fitted him. It was his desire, however, to go to the front, with a view of gaining experience with field artillery on active service. He therefore applied to be so employed, and was appointed Staff Officer to Colonel Barker, who commanded the howitzer battery at Modder River. Shortly after Lord Roberts' advance from the west through the Free State, Colonel Barker obtained the command of the 76th, 81st, and 82nd Batteries, Royal Field Artillery ; and on the 28th February, Colonel Umphelby started from the Modder River to join him at the camp about 5 miles from Paardeburg. The army moved from thence on 9th March. The division in which Umphelby served was under General Kelly-Kenny ; and, during the earlier part of Roberts' advance was the southern force. As such it fought at Osfontein on the day of the advance. The Boers fell back and were followed about 5 miles further by the troops, which halted at Driefontein, 36 miles west of Bloemfontein. At daylight on the following morning, 10th March, Kelly-Kenny's division, becoming the centre one, advanced against the Boer position, a long low ridge running across the front, which they occupied in force. The guns of Barker's brigade came into action at about 3,000 yards. After fighting obstinately all day, the Boers retired little by little ; and the guns, as they followed, gradually reduced the range to about 2,000 yards. About 5.30 p.m., and near sunset, the artillery dashed forward again, and came under a smart rifle fire at a range of less than 1,000 yards, it having been supposed, apparently, that the enemy had fallen back further than they actually did. The Boers were posted on a ridge commanding the hollow within which the guns re-opened ; and they commenced a brisk fusillade, raining bullets upon the batteries. Colonel Umphelby had been employed all day on staff duty, carrying orders and helping to direct the movements of the three batteries. He was now seated upon an ant-hill, examining the enemy's position through his glasses, and having his horses' reins slung over his left arm. In this position he was struck by one of the last shots fired ; the bullet passing through his body diagonally from the right front to the left side in rear, and perforating the liver. First aid was administered, and he was taken to the field hospital, about 1J miles away. He lingered during the subsequent day ; but, owing to the removal of the field hospital, it became necessary to convey him on a wagon to a farm house, where quarters had been found for him, about £ mile distant. He arrived in a very exhausted condition; and though he received some medical attendance, he died about 1.30 a.m. on the following morning. Major (now Lieut. -Colonel) G. J. Johnston. Major Johnston proceeded to South Africa on the 8th November, 1899, by the transport Aberdeen, in company with the late Lieutenant-Colonel Umphelby, Major Bruche, and the New South Wales " A " Squadron Mounted Rifles. On arrival at Cape Town he was engaged for a few days as a Railway Staff Officer, and then attached to 62nd Battery Royal Field Artillery, and joined them at Modder River. He did regimental duty with this battery as a section commander, and was with them on many reconnaissances, several side expeditions, and the great trek, during which several engagements were fought, including Klip Drift, Paarde- burg, Osfontein, and many others, before reaching Bloemfontein. He proceeded with the 62nd battery to Karee ; and, after that engagement, was left in Bloemfontein with a section without horses. After getting remounts, he rejoined the battery, and then received a telegram from Colonel (afterwards Major-General) Hoad, inviting him to accept the command of an Australian squad- ron. Major Johnston met Colonel Hoad in Bloemfontein ; but finding that his (Major Johnston's) services were not necessary with the Australians, he rejoined the Royal Field Artillery, and was attached to a howitzer brigade. He took part in several expeditions round about Bloemfontein, and did duty with the Corps Artillery until he was sent into hospital and invalided. He was granted three months' leave of absence, placed in charge of about 150 invalided Australians and New Zealanders, and proceeded with them to Hobart, by the s.s. Karamea. There he left them and returned to Melbourne, via Launceston, arriving on the 29th July, 1900. He was afterwards promoted Lieut. -Colonel and appointed to the command of the 4th Australian Commonwealth Horse (which see). Queen's Medal with three clasps. Captain (now Major) J. H. Bruche. Left Melbourne per s.s. Aberdeen on 8th November, 1899 ; landed at Cape Town 6th December. Attached to 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards at Modder River from 8th December, 1899, to 10th January, 1900. Attached to "The Australian Regiment" from 11th January to 6th April, acting as Quartermaster. Attached to Victorian Mounted Rifles, 7th April. Adjutant Victorian Mounted Rifles, 1st May to 12th December, 1900. Returned to Australia by s.s. Harlech Castle, leaving Cape Town in October, 1900, arriving at Melbourne 4th December, 1900. Present at operations in Cape Colony, advance on Kimberley, action at Magers- fontein. Orange River Colony, including actions at Houtnek, Vet River, and Zand River. Transvaal, including actions at Johannesberg, Pretoria, Diamond Hill, and Belfast. Transvaal, 12th March, to 31st May, 1902. Major Bruche commanded " A " Squadron in 2nd Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse. Vide that Contingent. Appointed to command Thornycroft's depot at Klerksdorp, 1st April to 28th May. Returned to Australia with 2nd Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse in s.s. Norfolk, leaving Durban 8th July, arriving Melbourne, 2nd August, 1902. Queen's Medal with six clasps. Major A. J. Christie. Lieutenant A. J. Christie proceeded to South Africa with the 2nd Contingent, on 13th January, 1900, by the transport Euryalus, which arrived at Cape Town on 5th February. Attached for special service to the Army Service Corps. Was present at operations in Cape Colony, Orange Free State, and Transvaal. Actions at Paardeburg (severely wounded), Jacobsdal, Poplar Grove, Driefontein, and Karee Siding. Commanded " P " Transport Company in operations in East Transvaal, Orange River Colony, and Cape Colony, from March, 1901, to May, 1902. Slightly wounded at Spreeuwfontein and Kamiesberg. Promoted captain, 9th March, 1901. Despatches, London Gazette, 29th July, 1902. Queen's Medal with five clasps. King's Medal with two clasps — 307 THE SECOND BATTALION AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH HORSE.— VICTORIAN UNITS. THIS Battalion was raised after Federation, to represent Australian troops, upon the same principles as the first battalion. It consisted of three Victorian units (or companies), one from South Australia, and one (half-company) from Western Australia, together with the battalion staff. Preference was given to men who had had experience in the war, but candidates were also eligible who were acquainted with country life in Australia, also the management of horses, and were good shots. As a matter of fact, almost the whole of the staff, the company officers, and the N.C.O.'s and men had served in previous Contingents.

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