THE BATTLE OF MAGERSFONTEIN
Such was the day for our Regiment;
Dread the revenge we will take;
Dearly we paid for the blunder-
Adrawing room general’s mistake.
Why weren’t we told of the trenches,?
Why weren’t we told of the wire?
Why were we marched up in column?
May Tommy Atkins enquire!
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This poem was written by a Pte. Smith of the Blackwatch Scottish Regiment after they were slaughtered at the battle of Magersfontein, and was recorded in the book ‘The Boer War’ by Thomas Pakenham.
The Battle of Modder River preceded Magersfontein, and was where the Irish Division was trapped in a peninsula of land surrounded by water and Boers of 3 sides because they couldn’t find a ford to attackthe Boer positions. The NSW Lancers had found a ford-but Gen Redvers Buller ignored their advice-as the Irish Division was trapped, the NSW Lancers attacked, and rolled, the Boer flank and sent them in full retreat--with the Lancers pusuing-buller notfollowing, which allowed the Boers to establish their positions at Magersfontein. The same thing happened to the Scots Division at Magersfontein-the Lancers warnings were ignored, --and the Scots were slaughtered-and after the Brits withdrew, the Lancers rolled the Boer flank!--again, Buller didn’t allow this success to be reinforced--he was shortly thereafter returned to England.