BY THE AUTHOR


The story as told is an everyday account and a record of the work of the
men of the 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment during the South African
War.

It exemplifies the devotion to duty, the stubbornness in adversity, and
the great fighting qualities of the West-country man, which qualities
existed in the time of Drake, and which still exist.

A repeating of their history of the past, a record of the present, and
an example for the generation to come.




CHAPTER I

EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE SIEGE OF LADYSMITH

1899


On returning from the North-West Frontier of India at the close of the
Tirah Expedition, 1897-8, the 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, which
had served with distinction under the command of Colonel J.H. Yule in
the campaign against the Afridi clans, was ordered to proceed from
Peshawar to Jullunder, at which place it was quartered in 1898 and in
the summer months of 1899, during which time certain companies and