Title
Bound copy of typescript diary and letters home of Lt Charles Henry Dillon, covering the period from embarkation at Southampton on the Aurania on 17 March 1900 until 30 May 1901, the day before he was mortally wounded at Blesbokspruit near Standerton. The diary contains detailed accounts of military operations, food, prices, conditions and weather as well as the personal feelings of the writer. Frontispiece includes full-length photograph of C H Dillon in uniform, with original signature pasted underneath. Pages:
(1-2) Aboard SS Aurania bound for Queenstown
(3-5) Account of Battle of Spion Kop as regaled by ‘Sainty Clowes’. 10 April 1900
(6-8) Aboard SS Aurania; left Cape Town
(8-17) At Beira, Bamboo Creek, Mantigas, Umtali, April 1900
(17-31) At Marandellas, apparently at camp; horse racing; April-June 1900
(31-44) Enkeldoorn, Gwelo, Buluwayo, Manzanyama, Mafeking, 3 August 1900 ‘Horrid bleak-looking spot, quite unworthy of traditions’.
(44-51) Just missed Battle at Marico River, 6 August; exciting march from Mafeking to Zerust avoiding capture, 12 August; shocking condition of town.
(51-60) March to Malmani; cleared Boers out of Ottershoop; found Boer dead including Field Cornet Snyman; successful attack on Boers during reconnaissance. Saw Gilpin and Humphreys buried, Capt Arbuthnot wounded. Now ADC to Grey attached to Lord Methuen.
(60-68) List of units in Methuen’s force (64), Sept 1900; battle at Ottoshoop, 10 September.
(68-81) Rietfontein, Barberspan, Vlakplats, Vlakfontein, Oliphants Nek (6 October), fighting on patrol against Lemmer and his commando.
(81-90) Oliphants Nek, Rietfontein, Zeerust; fight on patrol.
(90-96) Left Zeerust on 24 October for major attack described in
detail.
(96-104) Platberg; describes action at Lead Mines on 3 November, and on 10-13 capturing sheep. Includes plan of the Ventersdorp Trap. At Klerksdorp; acquired set of 1892 Kruger money (101-2)
(104-111) March to Tyferfontein, 20 November; leave in Johannesburg, describes attempt to surround a lager; suffering from fever at Klerksdorp, 25 December; describes derailment of train by Boer Ludenberg.
(111-118) Move to Ventersdorp; attack on enemy outside Klerksdorp, bruised by shell fragment (112); arrived Ventersdorp, 1 January 1901; Broadwood’s Brigade arrived; dined with Phipps Hornby who won VC at Sanna’s Post.
(118-127) to Rietfontein; friendly fire incident with General Gordon’s unit. Imperial Light Horse ambushed, 8 January; Veldt Cornet du Press captured; plan of Battle of Sypherfontein (opp p.127).
(127-137) to Schoon Spruit, skirmish with Boer convoy; Ventersdorp; ‘All the British victories you read of in the papers are really nothing, and the correspondents are liars one and all’ (130); battle at Makoko’s Kraal.
(137-146) orders to relieve Cunningham who was surrounded by Delarey; description of action; to Naauport, captured prisoners, 17 February; 5 March (143) completes 1st year of service with RFF.
(146-161) Krugersdorp for leave, Pretoria, Potchefstroom, Ventersdorp; capturing prisoners en route; fight at Hartebeestefontein, 22 March on, described in detail.
(161-170) at Tafel Kop, 6 April; fight at Patfontein; Ventersdorp, search for buried gun; Gen Rawlinson captured and released (166); fight at Hartebeestsfontein, 21 April.
(170-181) At Cypherknil; march to Brakspruit to protect column; refused offer from Rawlinson to act as his ADC, 27 April; convoy attacked on way to Klerksdorp, 22 April ; Cypherknil, untitled plan of action on 5 May (opposite p.175) action in Doornfontein area
(181-191) train to Pretoria, 17 May; met Kitchener (182); recounts attack on Boer convoy, 8 May; to Blauwberg, subsequent attack; camp at Kaffirs Spruit, 24 May; surrounded Boer house, 26 May, Sgt Whyley killed (187); rest at Witbank Camp, 28 May; skirmish near Ermelo;
(192-198) Typescript testimonial letters concerning Charles Henry Dillon’s death from: Colonel Jenner, Rifle Brigade, June – September 1901; Colonel Raleigh Grey, July 1901; major Bauchop, 7th New Zealand Regiment, September 1901; captain C Leigh, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, May 1901
(199) photograph of Charles Dillon’s grave
(200) colour printed postcard of the South African War memorial outside the Swan Hotel, Bedford, with caption ‘Dulce et decorum est pro patria more’.