Heavy Loss of the Seventh Contingent.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 10, 6 March 1902, Page 15

Heavy Loss of the Seventh Contingent.

On Friday came the dif-quioting news from South Africa tbat the Beventh contingent bad mob with very henvy 10-ses in an engagement at Vrede-Bothasberg It appears that the Doers to the number of 700 men attempted to cross Colonel Byng's and Riminiton's line. The brunt of the figbtiDg fell on Colonel Garratt's New Zealanders, who, by superb valor, defeated the attempt, but lost two officers and 18 men, five officers and 33 men being wounded. Tne Boers uhandonpd 100 horses and fiOOO cattle. The Boers at first goaded a herd of cattle into a gallop, but the New Zealanders shot 70 of them, which had the effect of checking the rest. From behind the cover of the dead cattle and horfes the Boers maintained a heavy fire till they were repulsed. Only a few escaped. The Premier received the following cablegram from Colonel Porter, commanding the seventh contingent, forwarded by Major Pilcher f rom Capetown :-' The regiment on duty has reported a severe engagement, with heavy loss to the New Zealand Seventh Contingent, at midnight on the 23rd February. Upwards of 800 Boers, under H. Botha, Roes, and Albert, broke through, driving the cordon line of outposts at a point held by 100 on the left wing. Under cover of 1000 cattle, the enemy rushed the position in overwhelming force, proving both irresistible and bold. Our men in the shelter of the trenches bravely and gallantly resisted the onslaught, as is evidenced by the tact of 51 casualties, all in the trenches. The killed were 24, and the wounded 27. There were many instances of heroism, and not one sulker is reported. All fully maintained the bravery and reputation of the New Zealand soldiers, and that is the only solatium I can offer the relatives. Particulars of the casualties will come later.' It is needless to say that this message was the cause of great anxiety to the relatives and friends of the members of the contingent, the suspense being only relieved by the issue of the morning papers containing a list of the killed and wounded. Immediately the newi of the disaster was received flags were hoisted at half-mast on the principal buildings in the cities and towns of the Colony. The following is a list of the casualties :—: — Killed. — Lieutenant Harold, Lieutenant Dickenson, Lieutenant William Forsythe, Sergeant Arthur Noonan, Farrier-sergeant Owen Turner, Corporal Alfred Firth, Corporal Albert Russell, Lance-cor-poral William Riddick, Lance-corporal Dungan, Lance-corporal Anderson, Lance-corporal Percy, Lance-corporal Nation, Farrier Leonard, Farrier Better, Private David Bruce, Private John ABhmore, Private John Conniban, Private William Dunlop, Private Peter Fletcher, Private Harry Finch, Private William Monaghan, Private Thomas M'Lew, Private Alexander Scott, Private Walter Stevenson, Private Herbert Timmoa, Private Alfred Whitney, Private Lytton Diteby. Dangerously wounded. — Lieutenants James College and Rtapleton Coulton, Sergeant Walter Tiller, Private William Hill Bennett. Severely wounded. — Lieutenants Charles Phair, William H. Wilson, and Dennis Hickey, Sergeants Kenneth Malcolm, Charles Minifie, and James Conn, Corporals Andrew Houston, Thomas Legg, and J. C. Gilmore, Lance-corporal Edward Wylds, Privates John Buchanan, Thomas Frame, Maurice Fitzgerald, George Fooken, Robert Hardie, Charles Dunford, James C. M"Lellan, William C. M'Donald, John Isbister, David M'Diarmid, Albert Rosinorski, Frederick M Rogers, and Albert Sands. Slightly wounded. — Squadron Sergeant-major Pat Cottone, Corporal M. Carr. Farrier-corporal M. Ross, Privates George Armstrong, William Boon, William H. Cook, Gordon Reynolds, James P. Skitt, and Roland Wtstropp. Trooper Fletcher, who was killed, was a Catholic and son of Mr. W. Fletcher, Lako Wakatipu. Lieutenant D. Hiokey, who was reported to be sevt rely wounded, is also a Catholic, and was well known in Dunedin. His father, Mr. J. D. Hickey, resides iv Cork. At High Mass at St Joseph's Cathedral on Sunday the Bey. Father Murphy, Adm , made a touching reference to the recent disaster to the Seventh New Zealanders, and asked for the prayers of the congregation for Trooper Fletcher, of Mornington, and the several other Catholic New Zealanders who were killed on that occasion. He paid a tribute to the bravery which the men had displayed. The Dead March in ' Saul' was played by the organist as the congregation left the sathedral. In the Pro-Cathedral at half-past 7 this (Monday) morning (writes our Christchurch correspondent) a Requiem Mass was offered for those who fell in the recent severe engagement iv South Africa. His Lordship the Bishop was celebrant. As a preface to his sermon at Vespers on the previous evening the Right Rev. Dr. Grimes made feeling reference to the disaster to the New Zealand troops, and read a telegram from the Premier referring to the 6tate of the wounded. The Bishop expressed his heartfelt sympathy w ith the afflicted relatives of the fallen troopers, and asked the prayers of the congregation for the eternal rest of the departed. At the 11 o'clock Mass at St. Patrick's Basilica, South Dunedin, on Sunday, the Rev. Father Coffey, during hia discourse, made some very touching references to the members of the Seventh Contingent who recently met their deaths in South Africa. At the conclusion of the service the Dead March was played, the congregation standing meanwhile. About 50 members of the Ninth Contingent were present.