03.04.1881

The 1881 National Census for the United Kingdom found William C. Wayman (age 8) living at New Road, Offord Cluny, Huntingdon, with his parents Charles (39) a carter, and Kezia (35) Wayman. Also at home were William’s siblings - Barry (11), Ellen (7), George (6), and Matilda (3).

xx.09.1890

William Wayman enlisted at the age of 17 to serve seven years with the Colours and five years on the First Class Army Reserve with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps (based on his Regimental Number of 5981). Rifleman Wayman then underwent his recruit drills on the Square as Rifleman N^o. 5981 of the King’s Royal Rifles on the square of the Rifle Depot, Winchester, Hampshire.

25.11.1890

1^st Battalion left their station at Aldershot and embarked at Portsmouth for India in HMS Crocodile.

21.02.1891

Having completed his recruit drills and passing off the Square, Wayman was posted to the Rifle Depot for a period. and then was posted with a draft for the 1^st KRRC - embarking for India.

27.03.1891

The Bunerwal Tribe showed signs of trouble. The 1^st KRRC marched from Rawal Pindi for Durband as part of the Reserve Brigade (1^st KRRC, 19^th Bengal Infantry, 27^th Punjab Infantry, and one squadron 11^th Bengal Lancers), of the Hazara Field Force.

30.03.1891

Durband was reached on 30 March 1891. The Bunerwal threat passed away while the Reserve Brigade (and the Rifles) waited in vain for a call to action. Thus did the 1^st KRRC earn the clasp Hazara 1891to the India General Service Medal of 1854. The two active columns continued operations against the Hassanzais and Akazais in the Black Mountains.

04.04.1891

Road working parties pushing a new road towards the Samana Ridge were attacked by Rabia Khel tribesmen. Many of the hill tribes rallied to a call for a Jihad, or holy war that had been proclaimed by a fanatical priest named Syed Mir Basha.

06.04.1891

The 21 February 1891 draft joined the 1^st KRRC at Durband.

07.04.1891

With the new outbreak, trouble arose on the Miranzai border. The First Rifles left Durband for active service with the Second Miranzai Expedition, marching for Kohat.

09.04.1891

Some men of the Regiment (likely most of the 21 February 1891 draft) entrained at Rawal Pindi at 10 a.m. for Hasan Adbal, where they awaited the arrival of the Battalion from Durband. The 1^st KRRC arrived at Hasan Abdal at about 3 p.m. and bivouacked outside the train station for the night.

10.04.1891

The Battalion left at 4 a.m. by train for Kushalgarh which was reached at 2 p.m., marching to a camping ground about a mile away, after crossing the River Indus via a pontoon bridge 300 yards long.

11.04.1891

The 1^st KRRC left Kushalgarh at 6 a.m. and marched to Gumbat; arriving there at noon.

12.04.1891

The Rifles left Gumbat at 1 a.m. and marched to Kohat, which was reached at noon. Here the Rifles halted till the 15^th and stored all kit beyond the lightest active service scale, and established a Depot for riflemen too young for active service, the sick, and the weakly. Since Wayman was not yet 19 years old - he would have been one of those left at the field depot at Kohat.

15.04.1891

Battalion left Kohat at 4 p.m. and marched to Chilibagh, arriving at 9 p.m.

16.04.1891

Left Chilibagh at 3 a.m. and marched to Hangu, arriving at 2 p.m. This camp was made the base of operations for the expedition.

16.04.1891

The Second Miranzai Expedition formed up at Hangu, commanded by Brigadier- General Sir W. S. A. Lockhart. Troops were:

17.04.1891

N^o. 1 Column left Hangu at 5 a.m. The first action came when resistance was met at the village of Tsalai. Under cover of artillery fire by N^o. 3 Mtn Battery, R.A., two Companies of the Rifles rushed the village with the bayonet, losing Colonel C.P. Cramer and Major C.C. Egerton severely wounded, plus a Colour Sergeant and four riflemen wounded.

We ". . . marched to the bottom of the hills, and waited for about an hour, the Ghoorkhas and Punjaub Infantry skirmished up the sides of the hill, we marched up with the General (Sir W. Lockhart). When we arrived at the top of the hill, we were surprised to see the number of hills the other side and the first of the enemy's forts. We had to march 3 miles to it. We were marching along the side of the hill, when two shots were fired at us, but we did not know where from. On arriving about 2000 yds from the fort the enemy began firing rather sharp but we could not return the fire as we could not see them, but the Artillery opened fire on the fort at 1000 yds, and we were covering them. At this point the Colonel (Cramer) got wounded in the wrist, and the Brigade Major in the hand, and Pte. Forrest F Company was severely wounded in the chest with a Martini Henry bullet, convincing us that they had our own rifles using against us. After the Artillery had fired a few rounds, and opened the door of the fort, we and the Ghoorkhas charged the fort, but were surprised to find that there was not a soul inside, they had all retired to the next one named Sangar and after a lot of fighting we took possession of the fort and village, and halted for the day after a hard day’s work." (Diary of Rifleman Arthur Pickett, 1^st KRRC)

18.04.1891

For the next two days all three columns moved forward carefully, brushing aside minor opposition and placing picquets on the covering hills. On the 18^th (Saturday), ‘C’ and ‘E’ Companies were left at Sangar with a few native troops:

" . . . and the remainder went out with the General, they had a very good fight, and killed a good number of the enemy, but none of their dead were left behind, as they always take them away with them. The Artillery stormed 5 forts, a few of the native troops were wounded, and one of our men [Pte. Stokes of E Company]was killed." (Diary of Rifleman Arthur Pickett, 1^st KRRC)

19.04.1891

Rifleman Pickett wrote:

"On Sunday 19^th two spies from the enemy were captured and ordered to be shot, by the General. The River, and 3^rd Columns had a lot of fighting, we stayed in camp and got water and provisions, it took about 5 hours to get the water, being such a long way from the Camp. About 6pm the enemy appeared on a hill facing our camp. The artillery fired a few shells into them, and they soon retired, as it was too hot for them. We had to find picquets for the remainder of the night, as we were expecting to be surprised and there were a few shots fired into the camp during the night, but no damage was done." (Diary of Rifleman Arthur Pickett, 1^st KRRC)

20.04.1891

N^o. 3 Column under Brownlow was strung along the Samana Ridge facing large numbers of tribesmen. Reinforcements were sent - the Peshawar Mountain Battery, the 2^nd Punjabis, and four Companies each of the KRRC and the 5^th Gurkhas. The Gurkhas were to attack the village of Saragarhi and clear it of the enemy, clear and capture the hills beyond, and destroy the stone towers in the village. This they did. Meanwhile the 1^st KRRC with the 6^th Punjabis, the 19^th Bengal Infantry, and 3 guns of the Derajat Mountain Battery advanced to capture Ghuztang which was done with little opposition other than long range sniping. The 1^st KRRC lost N^o. 4442 Rifleman Frank Stokes sniped and killed on the line of march. One officer and six men of other corps were wounded.

"On Monday 20th we had the biggest fight of all. We left Camp and joined the 3rd Column and after marching and waiting for about 9 hours, we sighted the enemy about 1pm. We kept fighting till about 5pm. It was a grand sight to see the troops running down the hills after the enemy. There were a lot of native swords and guns captured, and about 300 of the enemy killed. The Rifles and Ghoorkhas were together all the time the Ghoorkhas cut the enemy to pieces with their knives, which made a sickening sight, after which they burned them in heaps. There were 6 of the native troops wounded, but none of ours, 7 forts were taken and blown up, the villages burnt and crops spoiled. We arrived in camp again about 8pm after a very hard day's fighting and climbing." (Diary of Rifleman Arthur Pickett, 1^st KRRC)

21.04.1891

Only Indian troops went out at 8 a.m. The Rifles were employed in building roads. Four wounded came into camp in the evening.

22.04.1891

One of the Rifles fell sick with fever on the 22^nd and was sent back to Hangu.

23.04.1891

The last real action of the campaign occurred when the force arrived at the defended village of Margharu. Screened by fire from four guns of the Peshawar Mountain Battery, the 15^th Sikhs, supported by the 1^st Punjabis, carried the village.

24.04.1891

The enemy came in and submitted to terms.

27.04.1891

General Lockhart, with N^o. 1 Column (minus a Half-Battalion 1^st KRRC) marched to Hangu.

29.04.1891

Lockhart began to march round the northeast end of the Samana Range, reaching Sangar on May 3rd.

09.05.1891

The remaining Half-Battalion KRRC which had been left behind, joined N^o. 2 Column at Gulistan, along with a Half-Battalion of the Manchesters.

10.05.1891

The reinforced N^o. 2 Column marched up the Khanki Valley as far as Mamuzai Bazaar, returning to Gulistan on 15 May, 1891. The two columns moved from village to village, accepting the submission of the villagers, exacting fines and blowing up village towers. Thus did the 1^st KRRC qualify for the clasp Samana 1891to the India General Service Medal of 1854.

22.05.1891

Battalion left Mastan for Kushalgarh.

28.05.1891

The First Rifles entrained for Rawal Pindi, and then marched on by Half-Battalions to Gharial in the Murree Hills for the hot weather.

01.06.1891

The 1^st KRRC to station at Gharial.

01.11.1891

Marched back down again from Gharial to West Ridge, Rawal Pindi.

25.11.1891

To station in the Chisick Lines at Rawal Pindi.

xx.12.1891

Army Order N^o. 252 authorized the issuance of medals and clasp Samana 1891to all troops and followers employed in the Miranzai Expedition and against the Urakzai tribes between April 4, 1891 and May 25, 1891. The 1^st KRRC qualified regimentally for this award.

01.02.1892

Army Order N^o. 27 authorized the issuance of medals and clasp Hazara 1891to all troops and followers employed in the Hazara Expedition between 12 March 1891 and 16 May 1891. The 1^st KRRC qualified regimentally for this award.

15.04.1892

Headquarters and 4 Companies marched out of Rawal Pindi for Ghora Dhaka in the Murree Hills. The remaining Half-Battalion (less one-half company on detachment at Campbellpore), moved into the Church Lines at Rawal Pindi.

22.04.1892

The Half-Battalion to station at Ghora Dhaka.

07.09.1892

The First Rifles were warned for active service with the Isazai Field Force as part of the 2^nd Infantry Brigade. Hashim Ali, an ex-chief of the Isazai Clan returned and began to make trouble, and an expedition was prepared to punish the tribes who had broken faith by permitting his return.

25.09.1892

The Half-Battalion at Ghora Dhaka marched for Durband, arriving on the 28^th .

26.09.1892

The Half-Battalion at Rawal Pindi moved by rail and march to Durband.

01.10.1892

The two Half-Battalions 1/60^th Rifles joined the 2^nd Infantry Brigade, under Brigadier-General A.G. Hammond. The expedition came to nothing. The troops crossed the Indus, marched up to Baio, burnt a few villages, destroyed and ate up a considerable area of crops, and returned to Durband on the 8^th where the force was broken up.

07.10.1892

A draft of 317 4^th KRRC NCOs and Riflemen from Burma were ordered posted to the First Battalion.

10.10.1892

Return march started for the Rifles. During the return march a few cases of cholera broke out, and the Battalion went into quarantine camp at Margala. While there, the cholera got no worse, but half the Battalion came down with malaria and preceded it to hospital in Rawal Pindi.

28.10.1892

The 1^st KRRC returned to Rawal Pindi. Here the draft of 317 men from the 4^th KRRC in Burma joined.

01.11.1892

Lee-Medford Rifle again issued to First Battalion.

06.05.1893

Battalion marched to Gharial for the hot season, arriving on May 9.

13.06.1893

The India General Service Medal of 1854 with clasps Hazara 1891 and/or Samana 1891were issued to officers and men of the First Battalion.

11.11.1893

Battalion marched to Rawal Pindi for the cold weather, arriving at that station on the 20^th of November. Attended maneuvers, and then marched to Peshawar.

24.01.1894

To station at Peshawar.

10.05.1894

‘B’ and ‘G’ Companies went to Cherat for the hot weather, returning on 28 October 1894.

22.08.1894

IGS-1854 medals and/or clasps for N.E. Frontier 1891 / Burma 1889-92 / Lushai 1889-92were issued to the men of the 4^th KRRC who had transferred to the 1^st KRRC.

13.03.1895

A Maxim Gun was issued to the 1^st KRRC and a Maxim Gun Section formed.

16.03.1895

The 1^st Rifles were warned for active service with the Chitral Relief Force, and all of the officers and men were examined to determine if they were "fit" for active service in the field. Wayman was found fit.

29.03.1895

Left Peshawar (18 officers and 801 NCOs and men) for Hoti Mardan as part of the 1^st Brigade (1^st KRRC, 1^st Bedfordshire Regiment, 15^th Sikhs, and 37^th Dogras) - commanded by Brigadier General A.A. Kinloch.

31.03.1895

The 1^st KRRC reached Hoti Mardan where they joined the 1^st Brigade.

01.04.1895

Sir Robert Lowe marched with the 2^nd and 3^rd Brigades towards the Malakand Pass, while the 1^st Brigade marched toward the Shalkot Pass, bivouacking at Lundkwar in full sight of, and directly threatening the Shalkot Pass. Lowe ordered a feint towards the Shalkot Pass with the cavalry making a strong reconnaissance towards the Mora Pass to stir up dust and distract the enemy’s attention from the true point of attack - the Malakand Pass.

02.04.1895

All three infantry brigades concentrated south of the Malakand Pass. The feints had deceived no one. The enemy were in force at the pass.

03.04.1895

The action of the Malakand Pass was fought. The 2^nd Brigade led, supported by the 1^st Brigade, with the 3^rd Brigade in reserve. The enemy’s position extended along the crest of the pass, holding the heights on either flank, whilst a series of breastworks built of stone, each commanding the one below, were pushed down the main spurs. The Guides, supported by the 4^th Sikhs, scaled the heights on the extreme right of the enemy’s position, then turned inward, sweeping along the crest, taking the enemy in flank while a frontal attack was pushed home. The slope was so steep it took the Guides five hours to scale the heights and gain the crest. Meanwhile the enemy had been under a searching artillery fire from three batteries for three hours. The Gordon Highlanders and the K.O.S.B. were ordered to the frontal attack, each moving up a separate spur. The Scots swept upwards, taking breastwork after breastwork, and arrived just below the final crest almost together. While the whole of the 2^nd Brigade was so engaged, the 1^st Brigade in support moved the 1^st KRRC followed by the 15^th Sikhs up a re-entrant between the KOSB and the Guides, while the Bedfordshire Regiment and the 37^th Dogras passed in front of the enemy’s position in the valley. They circled around the rear of the Gordon Highlanders and attacked the enemy’s extreme left.

The 1/60^th Rifles in their ascent struck an old Buddist Road. Turning sharply to their right they soon found themselves level with the leading companies of the K.O.S.B. After a short rest to catch their breath, the three battalions fixed bayonets and rushed the crest, each topping out at almost the same time. Meanwhile the Guides and the 4^th Sikhs had stormed the peak to the left, while the Bedfords and 37^th Dogras pursued the fleeing enemy down into the far valley, only halting when the reached the walled village of Shar on the Swat River. The fight had lasted over five hours. Enemy losses were some 500 killed of an estimated 12,000 engaged. The British lost 11 killed and 51 wounded. KRRC casualties were four killed and four wounded.

That night the crest of the pass was held by the 1^st Brigade, with two regiments pushed down as far as Khar. The 2^nd Brigade bivouacked at the south entrance to the pass. The following morning the task of pushing forward supplies and materials for the advanced brigades began. Again, the old Buddhist Road discovered by the 60^th became important. It was quickly improved to allow usage by pack trains, and within 24 hours the several brigades were ready to move.

04.04.1895

While the work on the pass was going on, the 1^st Brigade moved down into the the Swat Valley where they were attacked by over 5000 men newly arrived at Khar from the Shalkot and Morah Passes. The Brigade lost two men killed and 18 wounded. The Rifles were not engaged.

20.04.1895

The British force at Chitral Fort was relieved by Colonel Kelly’s force, ending the 47 day siege. The 1^st Brigade (including the 1^st KRRC) were left to guard the communications through the Swat Valley, occupying the line between Chitral and India throughout the hot weather without incident except for a few attacks by individual fanatics.

15.05.1895

The 1^st KRRC began a move to the Laram Kotal (a mountain range), where they were to be employed in road repair and making.

18.05.1895

The 1^st KRRC settled down for the hot weather at Dostai, near the Laram Kotal at Camp Birau. There was much sickness in the camp.

25.09.1895

Battalion started its return march to India.

02.10.1895

Nowshera was reached and the 1^st Battalion entrained for Jullundur.

05.10.1895

Rifles arrived at Jullundur.

09.04.1896

The First Rifles to Dalhousie.

xx.04.1896

In Army Order N^o. 71 Queen Victoria approved of a new medal to be struck to commemorate military operations in or on the Frontier of India. The medal was to be known as The India Medal of 1895. Army Order N^o. 72 of April, 1896 granted two clasps to the India Medal of 1895 - Defence of Chitral 1895; and Relief of Chitral 1895. The 1^st KRRC was regimentally entitled to the latter clasp. Wayman was one of those who received the Indian Medal of 1895 with the clasp Relief of Chitral 1895.

27.10.1896

The 1^st KRRC to Jullundur.

30.11.1896

Battalion left Jullundur under orders for the Cape and Mauritius.

05.12.1896

The First Rifles arrived at Deolali, the reception and discharge depot which all troops had to pass through when arriving or departing India. There they left all time-expired men for return to England and discharge.

10.12.1896

The 1^st KRRC sailed for the Cape from Bombay on the RIMS Warren Hastings.

28.12.1896

The 1^st KRRC arrived at Capetown where they disembarked "B", "D", "E", and "F" Companies for garrison duties at Wynburg. The remainder of the Battalion (including Rifleman Wayman of "G" Company) sailed for Mauritius and for shipwreck on the R.I.M.S. Warren Hastings.

06.01.1897

The Warren Hastingssailed for Mauritius, having on board "A", "C", "G", and "H" Companies of the 1^st K.R.Rif.C., a Half-Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment, 25 men of the Middlesex Regiment, and a number of women and children; a total of 22 officers, 4 WOs, 940 men, 4 ladies, 13 women and 10 children.

It had all the makings of a major disaster. Off her course by eight miles, a troopship crowded with 1246 passengers and crew steams at night through torrential rains in the Indian Ocean. Running aground off the coast of Africa, the Royal Indian Marine Ship Warren Hastingssank on January 14, 1897. Among those aboard were 526 officers and men of the 1^st King’s Royal Rifle Corps. The 1^st KRRC had been in India since December of 1890 and saw active service with the Hazara Field Force, the Second Miranzai Expedition, the Isazai Field Force, and the Chitral Relief Force. The latter campaign concluded, the First Rifles returned to their station at Jullundur on October 5, 1895.

After a quiet year at Jullundur, the 1^st KRRC received orders for South Africa and Mauritius. They left Jullundur on November 30, 1896 and arrived at Deolali¹ on December 5. All time-expired men due for discharge were left at that station, and the Battalion proceeded to the port of Bombay. On December 12 they embarked on the R.I.M.S. Warren Hastings, a steel turnscrew troopship rigged as a two-masted schooner. Built at the Barrow shipyards in 1893, she was 330 feet long and almost 50 feet at the beam. Her displacement was 5000 tons. She carried eight boilers and triple expansion engines of 3,500 horsepower, had a coal capacity of 700 tons, a top speed of 18 knots, and was captained by Commander G. E. Holland, D.S.O., of the Royal Indian Marine. The crew numbered 253 of all ranks.

After coaling in the Seychelles, the ship arrived at Capetown, South Africa on December 28, where "B," "D," "E," and "F" Companies of the Rifles disembarked for garrison duty at Wynburg. Remaining with the ship were the Headquarters detachment and "A," "C," "G," and "H" Companies of the Rifles, plus 10 ladies, women² and children of the Regiment.

Embarking at Capetown for Bombay were four companies ("A", "D", "E", and "F") of the 2^nd York and Lancaster Regiment, plus 17 women and children of that Regiment. Also aboard were 2^nd Lieutenant A.B. Borman, R.A, and Surgeon-Captain W.T. Swan, of the Army Medical Service; plus a detachment of one Warrant Officer and 24 men of the 2^nd Middlesex Regiment.

The ship left Capetown on January 6, 1897 with a total of 1246 passengers and crew, enroute for Mauritius, an island about 400 miles east of Madagascar. They had a tranquil passage until the morning of the 13^th . The barometer fell, and the wind shifted to the south. Observations were difficult, and it began to rain. Still, they expected to make Mauritius by noon on the 14^th . At 2:20 a.m. on the 14^th , steaming at 12½ knots on a pitch-black, rainy night, the Warren Hastingsran aground off the Island of Reunion, in the Indian Ocean. The sea and winds were relatively calm, though there was a moderate swell. All aboard were awakened by the impact. Heavy bumping, grating and flooding clearly indicated the ship was aground and in danger of sinking. Luckily the engines were kept at full speed, and held the ship on the rocks.

Lieutenant-Colonel Forestier-Walker, O.C. Troops, hurried to the bridge and reported to Commander Holland, who ordered that all men fall in below on the main and troop decks. Only sentries could be above decks. When the order was given, the men assembled and stood calmly, awaiting further orders. They couldn’t see outside, the ship was clearly in trouble, and they had only bits and pieces of clothing on. Given the circumstances, their discipline was remarkable.

At 3:25 a.m. Lieutenants Dobbin and Windham, R.I.M. went down over the bow on ropes to see if men could be landed onto the rocks below. They reported it possible. The men were ordered to find boots and rifles and to form up below - The King’s Royal Rifles on the port, the York and Lancasters and Middlesex on the starboard. This allowed the forward companionways to be used simultaneously. The troops, with slung rifles, began filing forward at 4 a.m. Groping across the dark, slippery deck, they clambered down the wet rope ladders on either side of the bow. It was slow going. Suddenly the ship shifted and listed to to starboard. The men below decks were ordered to the upper decks by companies, and the disembarkation continued.

The list increased. By 4:20 a.m. it was evident that the evacuation of the women, children and sick could not be delayed until daylight. They were passed forward. The men at the bow stood quietly aside as women, children and invalids were carried or lowered onto the wet, slick rocks below. By this time the men on the starboard side were in water up to their knees and clinging onto the rails for support. As the list worsened, the seas started to break over the upper deck. The men on board were ordered to discard their boots and rifles and to move to the port rail. At 4:35 a.m. the electric lights failed and the interior of the ship was plunged into darkness. The evacuation continued, with men climbing down on lines and rope ladders off the bow. Day was breaking.

Commander Holland, increasingly concerned over the starboard list, thought the ship might flounder. At 4:55 a.m., good swimmers were allowed to jump off of the port side of the ship and swim to the rocky shore about 30 yards away. The first man to do so, a Private of the Rifles, carried a light line ashore. This was used to bring over three or four heavier lines which were made fast to rocks, allowing many a man to escape without swimming. The waves were breaking heavily on the rocky shore, there was a bad undertow, and many of the men in the water needed help in landing. Men already safely ashore waded and swam to help those in trouble. Numerous acts of heroism were noted.

By 5:30 a.m. all of the troops were ashore, and the rain had stopped. Only then would Lt.Colonel Forestier-Walker leave the ship’s bridge. He was the last soldier to leave the ship. They had run up on a narrow spit of rocks, near the village of St. Phillippe on the Island of Reunion, a French possession some 120 miles south and west of Mauritius.

The ship settled on the rocks, and gave no signs of further movement. Commander Holland authorized an attempt to salvage as much light baggage and other material as possible. One hundred and thirty men were organized into a human chain, passing baggage over the rocks from the wreck to shore. The rest of the men marched to the nearby village. At 9 a.m. 100 men of the York and Lancasters relieved the first salvage party, and continued work till 10 a.m. The seas were rising, and waves were breaking over the upper decks. Only a small portion of the light baggage was saved, and only the very top of the things in the holds could be reached. All else was lost.

The rolls were called in St. Phillippe. All troops were present. Only two men (both natives), a ship’s cook and an officer’s servant were missing and presumed drowned. Food was an immediate problem. Some tinned beef and biscuit had been salved from the wreck. Other foodstuffs were brought in from St. Joseph, a village about eight miles away. The villagers in St. Phillippe kindly put up the shipwrecked troops in whatever shelter was available on the night of the 14^th .

Contact was made with HMS Consul at Reunion, Mr. C.W. Bennett, who advised that the British India liner, the s.s. Lalpoorawas available for charter at Pointe des Galets. A special train was to carry the troops from St. Pierre, the nearest railhead, to Pointe des Galets, where the s.s. Lalpooraawaited. Ste. Pierre was 21 miles away. Carts, carriages and wagons were collected to carry the women, children, and sick, plus the 350 soldiers who were without boots. Those with boots walked (424 of the Rifles and 193 of the York and Lancs). The Rifles Adjutant, Captain R.M. Stuart-Wortley later wrote that: "I doubt if a more ragamuffin looking set ever marched as part of the British forces. Many had no coats, all sorts of hats were to be seen, and one or two had even no trousers."

The marchers overnighted at Ste. Joseph on the 15^th , and arrived, apparently none the worse for wear, at Ste. Pierre on the 16^th , where they entrained for Pointe des Galets. After the shipwrecked troops embarked, the s.s. Lalpoorasailed at 3 p.m. on January 17, 1897 and arrived at Port Lewis, Mauritius at 6 a.m. the next day. The men were distributed between Curepipe Camp, the disused Line Barracks, the Citadel, and Fort George, until the 29^th of January when the Lalpoorasailed for India with one wing of the York and Lancasters and the Middlesex draft. The Headquarters and remainer of the 2^nd York and Lancaster Regiment followed in the R.I.M.S. Canningon February 3. The fitting out of the troops for India so strained the local ordnance stores that it was several months before the Rifles could be properly clothed, equipped, and in their permanent barracks at Curepipe.

On March 6, 1897 Her Majesty Queen Victoria sent Lieutenant-Colonel Forestier-Walker a cablegram reading:

I wish to express my great satisfaction with the admirable discipline shown by the troops under your command on the occasion of the wreck of the "Warren Hastings," particulars of which have only just been received by me. I much regret the loss of private property sustained by all ranks.

A special Army Order issued on 13 March 1897 read in part:

The Commander-in-Chief feels great gratification in making known to the army . . . the remarkable courage and exemplary discipline displayed by the troops . . . on board the Royal Indian Marine troopship, "Warren Hastings."

20.06.1897

Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee was celebrated.

19.07.1897

India General Service Medals with the clasp Relief of Chitral 1895were issued to the Officer Commanding, 1^st KRRC by the Government of India.

05.03.1899

Headquarters Wing (including Rifleman Wayman ) embarked at Port Louis in the RIMS Clivefor Natal (9 officers and 424 men).

21.03.1899

Headquarters Wing arrived Durban, South Africa from Mauritius and entrained for Pietermaritzburg.

07.05.1899

The Wynburg detachment embarked on the s.s. Avocafor Durban.

10.05.1899

The 1^st KRRC Mounted Infantry Company was formed at Pietermaritzburg with 5 officers and 42 NCOs and Riflemen. Wayman was one of those selected for the Mounted Infantry. The Company was organized into four sections. "G" Company of the 1^st KRRC and a section of 1^st KRRC Mounted Infantry (a total of 3 officers and 150 men) went on detachment to Etshowe in Zululand.

25.09.1899

In expectation of war, the 1^st KRRC (17 officers and 767 NCOs and Riflemen) left Pietermaritzburg on only a few hours’ notice. They moved via rail to Ladysmith. There they encamped till October 5^th .

26.09.1899

The 1^st KRRC M.I. left Pietermaritzburg as guard to the Battalion’s heavy baggage, marching via road to Escourt with the 5^th Lancers.

30.09.1899

Reaching Escourt, the 1^st KRRC M.I. loaded the Battalion’s baggage on railway trucks for Ladysmith.

01.10.1899

The 1^st KRRC M.I. left Escourt at 7 a.m. via road with much-lightened wagons, camping overmight at Colenso.

02.10.1899

After an 18 mile march, with the Rifles M.I. on rear-guard, the 96 man 1^st KRRC M.I. reached Ladysmith. The weather was hot, and much sand and dirt was blowing about.

05.10.1899

The 1^st Rifles arose at 3 a.m. after a bad night of sandstorms. They, along with the 69^th Battery, R.F.A. marched to Modder Spruit, arriving around noon. The night was a cold one. The march resumed on the 6^th in a rainstorm. The Rifles did 20 miles to Washbank, and arrived very tired.

07.10.1899

1^st KRRC M.I. arrived at Glencoe via road march at about 11:30 a.m. and moved on to Dundee in the afternoon. Northey was O.C. with Subalterns Crum, Jelf, and Majendie as section leaders, and about 80 NCOs and men.

11.10.1899

War was declared in South Africa. The 1^st KRRC were in camp at Dundee.

12.10.1899

From October 12-19 the scouting by day and serving as picquets by night kept the mounted troops hard at work.

20.10.1899

The Battle of Talana was fought. The 1/60^th fielded 6½ Companies, having left "A" Company in camp as guard. Majendie’s 1^st KRRC M.I. section of 22 men (which was accidently followed by Lieutenant Crum, his servant Rifleman Faulkner, and Rifleman Swain) was told off as an escort to 2^nd Lieutenant H.A. Cape of the 18^th Hussars and his maxim gun team. They were accompanied by one squadron of 18^th Hussars (later joined by two more squadrons of 18^th Hussars and the Royal Dublin Fusiliers Mounted Infantry Company). Two sections of the 1^st KRRC M.I. were told off as an escort to the two artillery batteries shelling the Boers on Talana Hill. Total KRRC losses were 5 officers and 13 men killed; 7 officers and 83 men wounded, of which 10 later died. Majendie’s 22 man section (plus Crum, Faulkner and Swain) of 1^st KRRC M.I. was captured by the Boer along with some part-squadrons of the 18^th Hussars and much of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers M.I. Company.

My[Sergeant-Major Rowat’s]company of M.I. went into the fight 80 strong, but came out only 50; this includes killed, wounded, and missing; the missing we have heard since, are prisoners at Pretoria. We returned to camp just before dusk through a drenching cold raid, and made the best of a bad night in our wet clothes.(Rowat, p. 33)

22.10.1899

The retreat to Ladysmith began.

26.10.1899

The troops reached Ladysmith, much fatigued.

Our last night’s march was a terrible experience, pitch black, raining, mud up to our knees and about every five minutes word was passed to the front to halt, as the column had become disconnected on account of the darkness. I should think we went about one mile an hour, and the last twenty-four hours were done on one biscuit per man; light dawned upon us when within a few miles of Ladysmith, and sad objects we looked after these two and a half days of travelling, men fairly done up, and covered with mud from head to foot, sleeping as they marched.. . . (Rowat - p. 34)

30.10.1899

Action at Farquhar’s Farm (or Lombard’s Kop) was fought. 1^st KRRC losses that day were: 3 officers and 1 man killed, 1 officer and 32 men wounded. The 2^nd KRRC lost 1 officer and 7 men killed, 1 officer and 27 men wounded, with 15 men missing. The 1^st KRRC M.I. were in action in support of the cavalry who were ordered to make a flank attack around Lombard’s Kop. (Rowat - p. 35)

02.11.1899

Ladysmith was invested by the Boers. Headquarters and three companies of the 1^st KRRC were sent to Wagon Hill to fortify it and prepare for a seige.

03.11.1899

The last train left Ladysmith carrying wounded, plus General French and his staff.

05.11.1899

The Boer commander, Joubert allowed the establishment of a camp at Intombi Spruit to house sick, wounded, and non-combatants.

06.01.1900

Fight at Wagon Hill. the 1^st and 2^nd KRRC were heavily engaged.

28.02.1900

The Siege of Ladysmith was lifted.

03.03.1900

Ladysmith was formally relieved with Buller’s ceremonial march into Ladysmith. The 1^st , 2^nd and 3^rd KRRC met in the streets of Lady-smith on active service - an historic occasion.

04.03.1900

A draft of 450 First Class Army Reservists joined the 1^st KRRC from the disbanded Rifle Reserve Provisional Battalion.

12.03.1900

Battalion and its M.I. left Ladysmith as part of the 8^th Brigade of the 4^th Division for Colenso, making only eight miles the first day since men and horses were still weak from the effects of the long seige and short rations.

24.03.1900

"G" Company rejoined at Colenso from it’s detail in Zululand (2 officers and 113 NCOs and men).

03.04.1900

Battalion marched at 5:30 a.m. not towards the Mooi River, but back to Underbrook. Many Riflemen fell out along the way due to weakness.

04.04.1900

1^st KRRC and its M.I. returned to Surprise Hill, marching back through Ladysmith.

07.04.1900

The Mounted Infantry Section rejoined from Zululand (27 men and 28 horses). The 1^st KRRC M.I. was about 60 strong.

09.04.1900

Battalion to Modder Spruit with 8^th Brigade.

25.04.1900

M.I. back up to strength.

04.05.1900

The 1^st KRRC Mounted Infantry Company was sent to the 4^th Division Mounted Infantry Battalion as its N^o. 3 Company. The other M.I. companies were found by the Leicesters, Liverpools, and Manchesters.

05.05.1900

A draft of 82 Section "D" Army Reservists joined. The 1^st KRRC then posted 82 First Class Army Reservists to the 2^nd KRRC.

16.05.1900

Battalion with its Brigade crossed the Sunday River, and entered the Orange Free State.

23.05.1900

The 4^th Division marched north through One Tree Hill Pass.

26.05.1900

Ingagne Station reached.

29.05.1900

Entered the Transvaal, crossing the Buffalo River at Ichanga’s Drift.

02.06.1900

At Coetzee’s Drift, some five miles from Ingogo Station. Posts were established at Botha’s Post (Half-Battalion) and Ingogo Heights.

06.06.1900

The 3000 other-rank British prisoners held at Waterfall (10 miles north of Pretoria) were released and dribbled into Pretoria in a veryweakened condition. There were about 60 Riflemen:

. . . many of whom had been wounded at Talana. It was touching to see these poor chaps, mostly in rags, so pale and starved, so pleased to see their officers again, and though quite unfit, so keen for another chance." Supplies were short, and for a week these poor men were kept camped in the open on the race-course, short of food and clothing, and no blankets to keep out the cold. . . . Of our sixty men, only about half were passed by the doctor as fit for service. Those who were fit were re-armed with the only weapons available, Martini Henry rifles from the Boer Arsenal. The idea was to send them down country and employ them on the lones of communication, where they could refit and recoup. (With the M.I. in South Africa, F.M. Crum, pp. 66-67)

15.06.1900

The 4^th Division Mounted Infantry and 2½ Companies 1^st KRRC, plus some 2^nd KRRC demonstrated towards Wakkerstroom. There were withdrawn the next day without casualties.

18.06.1900

Twenty-two recently released M.I. Riflemen (under Lieutenant Crum and Sergeant A.J. Hill) that had been taken at Talana and held as POWs at Pretoria were sent on a guard detail to Vredefort Railway Station, about 100 miles south of Pretoria in the Orange Free State. They did not rejoin the main body of the 1^st KRRC MI until November 25, 1900.

22.06.1900

A train under Colonel Bullock carrying 400 released British POWs from the Boer POW Camp at Waterfall was wrecked and attacked by the Boers at Honing Spruit, 15 miles from Kroonstad. A force of 1000 Boers with three guns kept the British under fire from 7 am to 1 pm. Losses were 1 officer and 5 men killed, 1 officer and 17 men wounded. Of the 30 KRRC Riflemen there (under 1864 Sergeant A. Bennewith), two were killed and one wounded.

23.06.1900

HQ and the other half-company 1^st KRRC M.I. to Ingogo Railway Station.

07.07.1900

Three men of the 1^st KRRC Mounted Infantry were wounded at Rietfontein:

18.07.1900

One hundred men joined from the 2^nd KRRC; 125 1^st KRRC Riflemen were sent in return to the 2^nd KRRC who were warned for duty in Ceylon.

19.07.1900

The 1^st Rifles left Ingogo over Laing’s Nek to a point between Zand Spruit and Paardekop Station.

22.07.1900

Battalion with the Manchesters and the Gordon Highlanders drove a Boer force off the Wit Koppies.

24.07.1900

Battalion supported the Gordons who attacked the Roi Koppies.

26.07.1900

The 1^st KRRC returned to Ingogo by train.

01.08.1900

Battalion marched to Meezicht over Laing’s Nek.

03.08.1900

The First Rifles reached Zand Spruit. There they were joined by a draft of 93 Militia Reservists from the 8^th Militia Battalion under Lieutenant L’Estrange.

07.08.1900

A force, consisting of Sir Redvers Buller’s 4^th Division (Lyttelton’s 7^th and 8^th Brigades) 2^nd Cavalry Brigade (Brockelhurst), and 3^rd Mounted Brigade (S.A.L.H., Strathcona’s Horse, "A" Battery RHA, and 4^th Division M.I.) started off on a march towards Belfast. The 1^st KRRC formed firing line and advanced over the Roi Koppies, occupying Amersfoort. The 1^st KRRC M.I. took two kopjes under fire near Amersfoort (Rowat - p. 59)

09.08.1900

Battalion pushed northwards towards Ermelo. The 1^st KRRC M.I. were on rear guard of the column.

12.08.1900

Reached Ermelo.

15.08.1900

Reached Twyfelaar. The British force halted, with a convoy going up to Wonderfontein on Komati Port Railway to get supplies.

21.08.1900

French’s Division advanced towards Belfast under harassing sniper fire, with the 4^th Division M.I. on advance guard.

24.08.1900

In action at Geluk Farms. The M.I. remained in camp. Two Riflemen were wounded:

25.08.1900

Three more men were wounded:

26.08.1900

Another man was wounded:

27.08.1900

Battle of Belfast (or Bergendal). Battalion was on rear guard at Vogelstruispoort on the extreme right and not engaged.

28.08.1900

To Machadodorp. Strathcona’s Horse and the 4^th Division M.I. were the first into town.

31.08.1900

To Badfontein on the Crocodile River.

02.09.1900

Five men of the First Battalion Mounted Infantry Company were wounded by a shell from a Boer "Long Tom" sited on Rietfontein Nek: above the Badfontein Valley.

05.09.1900

Battalion, along with the Leicesters, attacked up Rietfontein Nek.

07.09.1900

Entered Lyndenburg.

09.09.1900

The 1^st KRRC were on advanced guard, and pushed over the Mauchberg at the summit of the Drakensburg Range. Three Riflemen were wounded. The Rifles M.I. was on the pursuit of the retreating Boers. (Rowat - p. 72)

23.09.1900

In camp in the Sabie Valley.

26.09.1900

To camp at Mac Mac Farm.

28.09.1900

On ridge above Pilgrim’s Rest.

02.10.1900

To Lyndenburg.

05.10.1900

Lieutenant F.M. Crum rejoined the 1^st KRRC M.I. at Lyndenburg for duty.

09.10.1900

The 1^st KRRC M.I. (80 men mounted out of 115) left Lyndenburg and moved toward Belfast with General Lyttleton’s 8^th Brigade (KRRC, Leicesters, Inniskilling Fusiliers, 18^th Hussars, one Battery RFA, one 5-inch gun, and one pom-pom). They were to work the eastern Transvaal for a year.

12.10.1900

1^st KRRC M.I. screening the 1^st KRRC who were on column rear guard at Dulstroom (Crum M.I. - p. 82)

15.10.1900

First Rifles arrived at Middelburg, going into garrison there the next day. From this date until 19 June 1901 the 1^st KRRC was engaged in many minor operations with mobile columns out of Middelburg.

17.10.1900

Lieutenant Scratchley left the 1^st KRRC M.I. to return to England, and Lieutenant F.M. Crum assumed command of the M.I. Company.

24.10.1900

The 1^st KRRC trained to Pretoria to help represent the Natal troops in Lord Roberts’ farewell review and ceremonial annexation parade, returning on 29 October.

06.11.1900

A section of 30 1^st KRRC M.I. under Lieutenant Johnstone were sent on detachment to Pan, some miles down the rail line. Another 25 men under Lieutenant Lynes were sent on detachment to Witbank. The remainder, about 60 men under Lieutenant Crum, were sent to Oliphants River, 12 miles west of Middelburg, where they were to watch 12 miles of railway. They shared this duty with the bridge guard - four guns of the 83^rd Battery RFA, and three companies of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.

25.11.1900

The 1^st KRRC Mounted Infantrymen (7189 Sergeant A.J. Hill and 21 Riflemen) that had been taken prisoner at Talana and held prisoner at Pretoria and sent on a guard detail at Vredefort Railway Station (about 100 miles south of Pretoria in the Orange Free State) rejoined the main body of the 1^st KRRC M.I. Concurrently, a new section of 1^st KRRC M.I. was raised and furnished to the 13^th M.I. Battalion stationed at Vredefort, about 100 miles south of Pretoria in the Orange Free State (Crum - pp. 36-42). They later would be stationed at Pan (about 30 men). This section, along with two sections 3^rd KRRC Mounted Infantry, would later form on 18 October 1901 N^o. 3 Company, 25^th (Rifles) Mounted Infantry Battalion

xx.12.1900

A column moved north under Colonel Carleton of the 1^st Leicesters. The 1^st KRRC M.I. sent an escort of 25 men for an R.A. pom-pom.

xx.12.1900

Another column moved north under Colonel Campbell of the 1^st KRRC to clear the country around the Wilge River. They captured many wagons, a few Boers and cattle, but missed the main Boer Commando who slipped away to the north. The 1^st KRRC M.I. sent an escort of 25 men for the pom-pom under Captain Poole, R.A.

01.01.1901

Lieutenant Johnstone left the M.I. for an attachment with the Imperial Light Horse, being replaced by Lieutenant R.E. Reade.

23.01.1901

The 1^st KRRC M.I. (under Crum) in action near Middelburg guarding Kitchener’s train again a Boer attack.

In the small hours of January 23^rd , 1901, a cypher message arrived to say that the C.-in-C. at Pretoria would visit General Lyttleton at Middelburg that day, and extra precautions were to be taken. Accordingly I sent out a sergeant and eight extra men to the West which was less exposed, and started myself at daybreak with all available men to the East towards Uitkyk where the ground was more tricky. At Uitkyk, some six miles from Middelburg, the 18^th Hussars had 50 men. . . . Leaving pickets at important points, we got in touch with the Hussars at a point some seven miles from our camp and eight from Middelburg. At 9.30 a.m. I was talking to a Hussar sergeant. We saw the trains reach Olifant’s River. Then, in the other direction, towards Uitkyk, we heard shots. With my glasses I saw some 300 men in close formation galloping hard towards Uitkyk. At over a mile I could not be sure what was up, for I had never before seen Boers maneuver like cavalry. Now, Subalterns do not like halting Commanders-in-Chief without good cause, but so far as I knew there were only 50 Hussars. They must be Boers. All the time the two trains were drawing nearer. I had only 14 men with me. The leading escort train was quite close and within range of the Boers. I sent a man galloping back to stop the train, saying I would let them know more as soon as I was certain. I then galloped forward myself with my men to a cutting, a good position between the Boers and the train. Yes, they were Boers all right. When they saw the train stop, 50 or more came galloping straight for the train, and for us hidden in our cutting.

Leaving Sergeant Ross in charge, with orders to shoot for all they were worth, I galloped my pony, stumbling and shying at rails and sleepers and wires, 600 yards down the line to where the advance train was. I told the officer in charge that there were fully 300 Boers about and asked him to get both trains back as quickly as possible, saying I would do what I could to keep them off. He seems skeptical, but I left him to it. I was in a hurry. Galloping back to my men I was relieved to find that the Boers, not knowing our strength, and having had several saddles emptied [by Ross’ directed fire] had been for a time held back. Within long range we could see fully 200 Boers at Uitkyk buzzing about like bees disturbed.

Leaving Corporal Stokes [N^o. 9617 Corporal - later Sergeant W. Stokes] and one man hidden here to observe, with orders to fall back on us if Boers began to get round him, I sent back Rifleman Rose [No. 9414 Rifleman B. Rose - later S.A.C.] to report that the Boers were now in possession of some two miles of line near Uitkyk, and retired myself to a better position further back. Later, thinking the position seven miles from Olifant’s River was too isolated and hearing shots on my left where I had men out owing to the ground, I retired to a strong position 1000 yards back. Before retiring I sent two men to call in Corporal Stokes, but they cam back under fire, without having found him. They reported Boers, as usual, creeping forward round our flanks. I had no option but to retire and trust that Stokes would not be caught napping. We retired none too soon for the Boers sneaking round by a donga would soon have had us in difficulties. We had just reached our new and very good position when three of our men came galloping in under a heavy fire. Sergeant Ross, unknown to me, had gone forward a mile between two fires and brought both [Stokes and the other Rifleman] back to safety*."

*Subsequently recommended (unsuccessfully) for a D.C.M. However, Sergeant George Ross was mentioned in Lord Kitchener’s despatches for his act.

Then came firing from our left (as we faced the Boers). It turned out to be Rifleman Rose who had been sent back to me with an order from "K. of K." himself. Trying to find me, he had seen a man in khaki like me, also riding a grey, he had exchanged our private signal, and had only seen his mistake when, within 30 yards, three Boers had fired from the saddle and missed him. Also I had forgotten to give Rifleman Rose Baden-Powell’s advice, for when he reached me, he was so full of his own adventures and so out of breath, that it took me some time to find out what the original message had been. The order was that a column was coming out from Middelburg, that I was to watch the Boers and report when clear. We took up a position five miles from Olifant’s River and felt our way forward occasionally but there were too many Boers for us. About noon we saw a man sneaking forward and thinking him a Boer, gave him a volley; he dropped, apparently dead. About 12.30 we pushed forward again and coming up to where the man fell, we found him lying as low as a young plover, but well and alive. A fledgling Hussar just out from home, the Boers had found him easy prey and relieved him of his horse and saddle, rifle and bandoliers. We pushed on and got touch with the 18^th Hussars again and sent men along the line to see if any damage. About 3 p.m. the Boers seemed to have retired three miles south of the line. We could see them near Trichard’s Farm. I sent to report [the line clear]. Then the two trains came on again, the leading escort train had passed us and was puffing noisily up the winding slope, when there was a loud explosion and the train came to a halt. ‘That’s bad,’ I thought to myself ‘after reporting all clear.’ However, only an expert could spot a hidden mine and moreover it was beyond our section of the line. I sent back word to the C.-in-C.’s train, but he brought his own train on, right up to the disabled one. . . He got out of his saloon, . . . and went straight to inspect the damage. Then, seeming much annoyed at the delay, he gave some order, and went straight back to his carriage. He never seemed to notice us, or even to look in the direction of the Boers, where our old friend Trichard was still in view. He left it to us to see to such details. . . The column came out from Middelburg and drove the Boers away. It was found that repairs would take 24 hours, so the Chief went straight back to Pretoria. (F.M. Crum, Rifleman and Scout, pp. 42-45) (Also Crum M.I. - pp. 101-102)

26.01.1901

The Rifles M.I. detachment at Oliphant’s River were ordered to pack up and move to Middelburg. There they were joined by the Witbank detachment on the 27^th , and by the Pan detachment on the 29^th . The 1^st KRRC M.I. Company (120 all-ranks) was now concentrated at Middelburg.

01.02.1901

1^st KRRC M.I. moved south from Middelburg, attached to the 18^th Hussars in Colonel W. Pitcairn-Campbell’s Column which comprised 900 all-ranks of the Leicesters, two squadrons 18^th Hussars, one section of the 21^st Battery RFA, one 12-pounder, and one pom-pom - a force totalling around 1200 men.

02.02.1901

The 1^st KRRC Mounted Infantry Company in action at Roodepoort. One NCO was killed, one officer and four Riflemen died of their wounds, and two men were wounded. (Crum, p. 50) (Crum M.I., pp. 110-115) (Rowat - p. 98)

Killed:

4550 Sgt W. Burton

Died of wounds:

Lieut R.E. Reade 8545 L/Cpl W. Oldham 2025 Pte J. Freeman 531 Pte L. Parnham 240 Pte W. Bullock

Wounded:

8566 Pte J. Allen 9077 Pte F. Epps

05.02.1901

Campbell’s Column advanced to De Wette Krans, about 14 miles south on the Ermelo Road. The M.I. were on column rear guard.