Page 58 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

The group with Major General Bryan Dutton CB CBE at the unveiling of the Devonshire Regiment Harrismith Commando memorial
demonstrating their understanding of the tactical in a military parade to receive the Freedom of
weaknesses of Lieutenant General Lord Chelms- ford’s plan and showing an appreciation for how they would have fought the battle and the wider campaign. Ri eman Wood (I Company) showed a passion and air for military history and has a future as a battle eld tour guide should he so wish! There- after the group moved to Rorke’s Drift.
The following morning the group made the trip from our riverside bush camp to Ladysmith to participate in the Ladysmith Gun Run, an annual event undertaken by various SA military and security force teams which involved manoeuvring a one tonne wheeled anti-aircraft gun on a three mile route around the town, most of which was uphill. Corporal Miles (I Company) and Lance Corporal Dunn (B Company) demonstrated real tenacity in willing the team around the track and helping the team secure third place out of 19 entrants.
On Saturday 10th June the group participated
RIFLEMAN WOOD (I COMPANY) SHOWED A PASSION AND FLAIR FOR MILITARY HISTORY AND HAS A FUTURE AS A BATTLEFIELD TOUR GUIDE SHOULD HE SO WISH!
Entry of Ladysmith. With over 500 South African soldiers and sailors watching, 18 Ri emen, led by Capt Swindells, marched down Ladysmith’s main street to an accompaniment of bugling by Ri eman Collings. The Mayor of the Alfred Duma Local Municipality spoke of the sacri ce and bravery of our forebears during the Anglo-Boer War and the Regimental Secretary, after outlining the Regiment’s commitment to the local area, presented the munic- ipality with a silver bugle to commemorate the occasion. After displaying the Freedom scroll to the assembled Ri emen and the wider parade, and to the delight of the crowd, the Ri emen marched off in extremely good order and the parade came to a close. Following the parade we accepted the invitation of the Director of South African Army Infantry to attend an informal function at the Mess at the 5th South African Infantry Regiment.
The following day the group visited the Ladysmith Siege museum and then walked the ground at Surprise Hill, upon which the Ri e Brigade conducted a raid to seize a Boer artillery piece, and Wagon Hill, a piece of vital ground overlooking the town over which the Devonshire Regiment conducted their desperate famous charge to repel an attempt by the Boers to seize the hill and force the rapid surrender of British forces. Our time in Ladysmith culminated with a ceremony on Wagon Hill’s at summit to commemorate the bond between the Devonshire Regiment and the Harrismith Commando, former
56 SECOND BATTALION
THE RIFLES