Topic: BatzB - Sunnyside
South African (Second Boer) War
The Battle of Sunnyside, South Africa, 1 January 1900
The West Australian, 4 January 1900, Account
The West Australian, Thursday, 4 January 1900, p. 5.
The account transcribed below:
A BATTLE AT SUNNYSIDE.
Sunnyside has created unbounded enthusiasm throughout Canada.
[Our Brisbane correspondent, telegraphing last night, states:- From a cable received by the Chief Secretary from the Agent-General, it appears that in the engagement with the Boers at Sunnyside, Lieutenant Aide, of Queensland, was dangerously wounded. Privates D. McLeod and A. Rose, also of the Queensland contingent, were killed. Lieutenant Aide a married man belonging to Clifton. Privates McLeod and Rose were both single men belonging to South Brisbane, and the latter to Toowong. A telegram has been received by the Lieutenant Governor from Sir Alfred Milner, stating that the following casualties are reported among the Queensland Mounted Infantry yesterday near Belmont. Dangerously wounded: Lieutenant Aide. Killed: Privates McLeod, Rose and Jones. "While regretting casualties, I congratulate you on the brilliant success attained by the Australian troops in their first engagement. According to the official list Private Victor Jones was a single man from Rockhampton. A cable received from Mr. Chamberlain states that the casualties occurred during a successful attack on a Boer laager.]
The West Australian, Thursday, 4 January 1900, p. 5.
The account transcribed below:
LATER PARTICULARS.
THE ENEMY ROUTED.
A TRIUMPH FOR THE COLONIAL TROOPS.
LONDON, January 3.
Some particulars have been received of the fighting at Sunnyside on Monday last, from which it is gathered that the colonial troops gave an excellent account of themselves.
It appears that the Sunnyside kopjes, where the enemy were posted, ranged north and south.
Leaving their native guides in the rear, strictly guarded, to prevent any divulgation of their movements, Colonel Pilcher, of the Northumberland Fusiliers, with Colonel Ricardo's
200 Queenslanders, 100 Canadians, with two guns, a horse battery, 40 mounted men, and Capt. Dodds's Ambulance Corps, marched to within four miles of the enemy's position.
The Canadians, with their guns, were then ordered to attack the enemy's laager, at the foot of the northern spur.
Colonel Pilcher reports that the Queenslanders worked splendidly on the left, taking advantage of every possible means, of cover.
Two shells from the guns were the first intimation the Boers had of the presence of a British force in the locality. These shells landed in the midst of the laager tents.
The Boers hurriedly ascended and lined the kopjes, whence they directed a succession of hot volleys at the colonial troops.
Their fire was, however, soon subdued. The Canadians' artillery fire at 1,000 yards was characterised by wonderful accuracy, while the front attack was delivered with grim determination by Colonel Ricardo's and Capt. Chauvel's company of Queenslanders.
The Boers were soon utterly routed.
Besides their dead and wounded, whose numbers are not stated, forty of the enemy were taken prisoners.
Lieut. Adie, of the Queensland force, who was out patrolling before the attack actually commenced, was severely wounded.
Further Reading:
The Battle of Sunnyside, South Africa, 1 January 1900
South African (Second Boer) War
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: Sunnyside, West Australian, 4 January 1900, Account
Posted by Project Leader
at 12:01 AM EADT
Updated: Sunday, 9 May 2010 1:01 PM EADT
