Foreword
By
John William Fuller
Grandson
of William Robertson Fuller
Johannesburg,
July 2004
William
Robertson Fuller was born on the 28th May 1880 at the
Fuller family farm in the Parish of Clapton, Thomas River, district of
Cathcart, Cape Colony, South Africa.
After
the death of his father John on 2nd June 1886, his mother,
Eliza Fanny, nee MacLachlan, disposed of the farm and settled in East
London, South Africa, at number 2 Seaview Terrace, an imposing
residence, which she renamed Langham House.
It
was the intention that William’s second name Robertson be hyphenated
with Fuller, because the family had a close relationship with the
Robertsons, involved in the wine industry. However, he disliked the
idea and never implemented it. He was also related to Robert (Bob)
Bertram, an uncle, who owned a winery in the Constantia area of Cape
Town. This large winery is today a major wine producer.
He
married Maude Evelyn Mitchell, nee Fleischer, whose first husband
George Mitchell had died in the 1918 flu epidemic. They had one son,
John Desmond, born 10 February 1921, died 12 July 2002.
William
Robertson Fuller was a great loyalist and fought wherever he could for
Queen, King and Empire. His great grandson still has his black
mourning armband that he wore upon the death of his beloved Queen
Victoria. He fought in the second Anglo Boer War 1899-1902, including
being besieged at Mafeking.
He
was an outstanding horseman and served in the Protectorate Regiment
Frontier Force, from 16th August 1899, at the age of 19
years, until discharge on 20th October 1900; most of this
time being at Mafeking. During the defence of Mafeking he served as a
Trooper under Captain Fitzclarence VC. He claimed to have been with
Captain “Fitz” when he won his Victoria Cross.
After
1 year and 64 days he was discharged in Pretoria on 20 October 1900,
where he received the SA War Medal and was paid a Special War Gratuity
of £5. Thereafter he served in the Imperial Light Horse Regiment.
On
2nd October 1902 he joined the South African Constabulary
as a Constable until his discharge in Nylstroom on 30th
June 1906.
He
then served as a Corporal in the Natal Carbineers with the Natal
Militia Force during the Natal Rebellion and was discharged at the end
of the rebellion on 11th September 1906 after 69 days’ service.
He
later also served in the 1914-1918 Great War as a Sergeant in the 9th
South African Horse Regiment. He saw service in German East Africa,
where he contracted malaria.
His
war medals consist of Queen Victoria’s Queen’s South African Medal
with three Clasps, Transvaal, Defence of Mafeking and Orange Free
State; King Edward VII Medal for Natal; George V South African War
Medal 1914-1918; and The Great War for Civilisation medal 1914-1919.
He
was quite an adventurous person and when his fighting days were over he
became a mining contractor after obtaining his blasting certificate
and employed a number of Chinese labourers at the Simmer and Jack gold
mine in Germiston.. He worked there from 20th October 1906 until 1st
October 1808.
He
thereafter moved back to East London, South Africa, where he became a
bookkeeper and entered commerce. There, in 1924 and 1925, he served as
the Treasurer of the East London Branch of the South African Legion.
William Robertson Fuller died from a heart attack at East London on 28
August 1944.
The
pencilled handwriting in the ruled exercise book used as a diary had
deteriorated rapidly over the years and his grandson, John
William, born 27 June 1949, rewrote the diary some years ago to record
the historical facts that his grandfather had recorded. This record of
his time at Mafeking can now be shared and will hopefully add to
the remarkable history of the Siege at Mafeking, through the
perspective of a young trooper.
In
his diary, there are times of humour, of sadness, of hunger and
descriptions of the leadership and stubborn resistance of General
Baden Powell. There is the treatment of the natives and mistreatment of
them and there is the elation for the eventual relief of the town.
THE SIEGE AT MAFEKING
©
John William Fuller
1899
October 13th Boers
crossed the border and blew up two trucks of dynamite about five miles
out, which were taken out of Mafeking Station for safety.
October 14th
Boers attacked off the North East Side of town about 7 am and
after about 3½ hours hard fighting we retired. Boer force estimated
about 800 strong while ours was only about 60. Our loss 4 killed and
16 wounded. Boer loss not known.
October 15th
Everything quiet. Boers don’t intend to break the Sabbath.
Everybody busy digging trenches.
October 16th
Cronje sent in a message saying we must surrender by 9 am
otherwise he would shell town. BP sent back saying he wouldn’t
surrender and to shell as soon as he likes. About 10.30 am shelling
commences. No damage done, only seven pounders in action.
October 17th
Boers sent in again, asking us to surrender to save further
bloodshed. Reply, “Ikona”.
Bloodshed only one dog and two fowls killed.
October 23rd
A devil of an explosion heard outside trenches of which we
found out to be Boer 95 pounder, which they have placed off South West
of town about three miles out. Everybody in dugouts. Short was hit
with a piece of first shot and broke his leg.
October 27th
D Squadron, 65 strong under Captain Fitz made an attack on Boer
trench East of town. Managed to get at them with bayonets. Our loss 6
killed 9 wounded. Enemy’s not known, but we heard afterwards it was
80.
October 28th
Boers sent in trolley of dynamite towards town, but fortunately
for us it exploded about 1 mile out of town. I presume the trolley
went too slow for the fuse.
October 29th
Sergeant W H Bolton of A Squadron deserted, supposed to have
gone over to the Boers. A reward is out to the amount of £50 to the
man that discovers him dead or alive. Have since heard that he
wandered to the Dutch while drunk.
October 31st
Boers attacked Cannon Kopje and were repulsed with a loss of
about 100. Our loss, 8 killed: two officers, two SMo, 4 men and 7
wounded.
November 7th
Boers attacked PU defences and were repulsed. Our casualties, 4
wounded. Enemy’s not known.
December 21st About
200 men paraded at 10 pm at the Budgs. All served out with India
Rubber shoes. Rumour is to attack Big Ben on South East Heights. After
going through a few manoeuvres, were marched back to trenches. Enemy
supposed to have got wind of it.
December 26th C
and D Squadron under Major Godley attacked
Boer Fort (Game Tree) North of town. Our strength 114 men. We
were repulsed losing 3 officers, 23 men and 22 wounded. A few have
died of wounds since. Captain Fitz was wounded.
1900
January 26th
A Big Ben fired into Women’s Laager. No casualties. BP sent
message saying if they started shelling women again he would place all
suspected Dutch spies in an enclosure in the Laager. Therefore, they
would be killing their own friends.
February 2nd
Boers shell Cannon Kopje again. Our loss 1 killed and 2
wounded.
Bread rations cut down to half and this is the saddest news up
to date.
February 10th
Bread rations still the same.
February 11th Man
named Dall killed by 95 pounder. The shell hit him full on the stomach
and took half his body away.
February 12th Notices
posted in town that Siege is likely to last until end of May.
February 15th Big
Ben moved quarters. Gone from East to West Side of town. Fired 12
shots; two at L Fort Store, two at Laager, two at Magazine, four in
Native Staadt, two at Stables. No damage done, fortunately.
February 17th Whilst
about 20 of us drawing rations, a Big Ben landed about 25 yards from
us. No damage. Range about 3½ miles.
February 22nd Man
named Miller of B Squadron was blown to pieces by 95 pound shell
whilst opening it. His pal just escaped having taken one back which he
had previously opened.
Big Ben shifted back to old position East of town.
February 25th
We are making our own powder and casting shells. Both a great
success.
Census of cattle taken: 20 horses, 35 mules, 470 oxen, 61
calves, 500 goats and sheep.
Two men from Town Guard deserted to Boer lines. Names Rudolf
Reck and John Evert. They were both suspected spies and were only let
out of prison yesterday.
February 26th Cast gun to fire 16 pounds shell. Fired one shot when it was
seen alterations must be made.
We are now eating horse flesh. Have had doubts about meat for
some days. Always thought it wasn’t beef. Not bad, but tough.
General complaint, not enough of it. We eat anything in these times.
February 27th About 800 Natives left here for Kanye about 60 miles North.
They are leaving town on account of scarcity of food. Boers fired on
them killing a few, also a good number have returned.
Elkington of CPD2 struck with 5 pounds shell in face. Face is
disfigured. Will live but will be blind for life.
Soup kitchens opened to feed Natives. Dogs not licensed are to
be destroyed. Looks suspicious.
March 2nd
About 400 men women and children (Natives) went out with white
flag on the Northern Road. Boers went out and met them and asked them
where they were going. They said they were going to Kanye as they were
starving. Boers refused to let them pass and ordered them back and
when they got about three hundred yards from the fort they opened fire
on them, killing many, among them several women and children. BP sent
out white flag saying if they didn’t allow the Natives to pass
through to Kanye to their homes and also withdraw Natives from their
trenches, he would set Linchwe, Bathwane and Sabele, (numbering in all
about 100 000 men) on them, these Natives having been kept in check by
us.
Our gun, now altered, appears to be a success. Can travel at a
pretty good range.
March 5th
Boers shell our Cape boys out of advance trench in brick fields
and during night make another trench to one of our supporting
trenches. D squad, CP&B Rifles retake trench. Enemy now within 40
yards distance of our advance trench. We are now throwing hand
grenades into their trench. Boers doing also to us.
March 6th
Most of our men are now buying starch and eating it. A la
Mazina! Not bad at all.
March 10th Trooper Sydney Webb D2 Police shot
through the head whilst on sentry in the brick fields. A chap that was
very well liked by everybody.
March 13th Had some Donkey meat for dinner today
and found it to be beautiful and tender. Better than horse meat.
March 21st
Trooper Tottie Hay of A squadron deserted over to the Boer
lines. He was doing 7 days field imprisonment at the time. There is a
reward of £50 out for the man who finds him dead or alive.
March 24th
Boers evacuated the brick fields today. Cause unknown.
March 27th
Boers took a fit into their heads and shelled very heavily
today, sending into town about 200 shells.
March 31st
A body of Plumer’s Scouts engaged the Boers out at Oaklands.
Our loss pretty heavy. Boers unknown.
Everybody thought the Relief was at hand. Our mounted men have
parades every day, getting ready for no one knows.
April 4th
Had sowen for breakfast. It is fermented oats, sour like Kaffir
beer. Not so bad. Find it fills up for an hour or so, but my belief is
it turns to water.
April 11th
Shelling pretty heavy today. No damage to speak of. Only a few
horses and donkeys killed.
Bread reduced to 6 ounces and a quart of sowen dished out to us
in place of the 2 ounces of bead cut off. Am damn sick of it!
April 14th
An attempt was made to bring in 100 hundred fat cattle last
night. They were driven by 30 boys, but failed in the attempt. 23 Boys
killed and all cattle captured by the Boers.
Just as usual, Live and Learn.
Troopers Maloy and Hassel were killed today by 12½ pound high
velocity gun.
April 29th
Had horse meat polonies for rations today. Find it eatable, but
damn tough. One man named Day fried his in Day and Martin’s Dubbin.
He said it wasn’t bad. I fried mine in cocoa-nut oil. Not bad at
all.
Eloff sent into BP today and asked him if he would play him a
game of cricket. BP sent back saying we were 200 not out already and
they have tried every bowler but don’t seem to get us out.
May 6th
Dutch made a charge on our horses today. They managed to get
away with 23 and 9 mules and also shot one of the horse guards, a chap
named Francis, BSAP. This is the third brother been killed.
May 7th
6 Prime fat slaughter oxen arrived last night from Colonel
Plumer.
May 12th
The Boers under Eloff, to the number of 700, rushed up the bed
of the river past our outposts. Got into the Staadt, set fire to part
of it. From there they rushed the BSA Fort, capturing 4 officers and
13 men. (Colonel Hore and Captain Singleton among the captured)
We were turned out to reinforce a small fort down at the river,
but were too late to do any good, so we retired and while retiring
were under a perfect hail of bullets, but got down to the town without
any casualties.
From there we went down and raided the BSA Fort. The CP Town
Guard relieved us and from thence we went down to the Staadt and
captured it and wounded three.
I escorted prisoners into town.
The same evening the lot in the BSA Fort surrendered to us, but
a lot rushed through our lines. We have 126 prisoners and have picked
up 50 Boers dead and the Lord only knows how many the Kaffirs have
killed and buried away. Our loss, 3 killed.
The Jailor was also killed today by a shell.
May 16th
5.30 pm. Artillery firing heard today North West of town. It is
believed to be our Relief at hand, about 6 miles away.
8.00 pm. An officer and 8 men just arrived from outside. Relief
Column arrived at last, after 7 months and 5 days weary waiting. They
engaged Boers at 2 pm and inflicted defeat on them.
May 17th
The Relief Column arrived in town
about 2 o’clock, numbering 1200 from the South and 900 from
the North.
Great excitement prevails all our garrison and town.
9 am. RHA with Pom Poms moved towards East Side of town and
started shelling the trenches. They stayed about half an hour and
gracefully retired to the Laager, and then we started shelling the
Laager, of which the Boers promptly evacuated and we captured.
We captured a lot of rifles and ammunition in trenches and the
Laager had an awful lot of provisions, including meal flour, coffee.
sugar, tea, pipes, tobacco, cigarettes, sporting guns, saddles,
bridles, boots, biscuits, butter, potatoes, oatmeal, onions, horse
shoes, biltong, eggs, whiskey, beer, dop, clothing, donkeys and wagons
and also a lot of their sick they left behind in their hospital,
including some of our wounded which were captured at the time of
Colonel Plumer’s defeat, including Captain Maclarene.
We also captured their 5 pounder in one trench.
May 18th
We marched to Wessels Springs Laager about 10 miles off (a
Laager) to see if we could get any loot, but we got there and found it
had already been looted by other Squadrons.
We generally are last at anything of that sort, but first to
take the field.
May 19th
Colonel Plumer’s
Column left today for Ramathlabama.
General Mahr’s column is still here and will wait for further
orders.
Sm A Hunter with a column of 4000 men is supposed to be on his
way up here.
May 23rd
Still on short rations. Don’t know why as there are a lot of
wagons with provisions about to come into town. I suppose we will get
them in time.
May 24th
First train arrived from North with a few provisions and also a
few of our men, which had been up the line all the time, being cut off
in October last.
I get a bit of rootie off one chap. Don’t I relish it!
May 28th
Spent my birthday in gaol, guarding Eloff and a few other Dutch
officers.
June 6th
Left Mafeking for Malmane. Arrived Malmane on 7th.
Here endeth my diary and may I never be in a besieged town
again.
I remain,
Yours truly,
W R FULLER
