Aug 05, 2017 — GREENWOOD, BC (BG)

Completing our three-part series today on the Leckie brothers of Greenwood, we offer a collection of pieces from the historic record on John Edwards Leckie's service in the Boer War. We'll begin with a brief background on the Boers, and the origination of the famed Lord Strathcona Horse regiment sent out to fight them in what would be Canada's first foreign war.

Boer soldiers commando group
[ Photo: Canadian Legion Archives, ALAMY/EIGG2T ]

The Boers, who were the enemy combatants the Canadian military went to South Africa to fight on behalf of the Crown, were people of Dutch descent, who in the early 1800s had attempted to escape Britain's heavy-handed rule of Dutch colonists in South Africa. 15,000 "Voortrekkers" left the Cape Colony to settle their own independent republics. The British pursued them, and after many attempts to reach political settlement, went to war against them.

Lord Strathcona, who funded the Strathcona Horse regiment
[ Photo: Royal Canadians Society, #170352 ]

"Born in Scotland, Donald Smith, the future Baron Strathcona, worked his way up from being a fur trader in the Hudson's Bay Company to its Chief Executive Officer before returning to the United Kingdom as Canada's High Commissioner in 1896. His Canadian experience left him with a high opinion of the NWMP [North-West Mounted Police]. Concerned by early British losses during the Boer War, Smith offered to fund a 500-man cavalry unit composed entirely of western Canadian horsemen.

He appointed Samuel Benfield Steele, a Superintendent in the Mounted Police, as commander of the new force. Steele had been an officer in the NWMP since its inception, and he was a veteran of the North-West Rebellion. The NWMP had an integral role in staffing Strathcona's regiment. Ten of the 29 officers were policemen, including most of the key appointments. A majority of the NCOs were also active or former members of the Force. The mounted police held the essential positions of command in the regiment, a contribution that would be decisive in South Africa."_[1]

Lord Strathcona specified that the regiment he was bankrolling should be recruited from British Columbia, Manitoba and the North-west Territories. Recruiting began on February 5, 1900. Recruits then went to Ottawa for training.

Lieutenant J. E. Leckie of Greenwood was assigned office as part of the initial commissioning of officers for Strathcona's Horse. According to records in the Sessional Paper_[2], excerpted below, after training and commissioning the company left Ottawa, traveling to Halifax by special trains on March 12th, arriving on the 15th. The regiment then boarded the S.S. Monterey for Cape Town, departing at 5:00 p.m. on the 16th. The marching out state was as follows:

Strathcona's Horse: 28 officers, 512 other ranks, and 599 horses, being 3 officers and 51 horses in excess of the authorized strength. Three officers and 101 N.C. officers and men, being reinforcements for the 2nd S.S. Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment. Honorary Major J. L. Biggar, 15th "Argyll Light Infantry," to be attached to the Army Service Corps in the field. Major D. C. F. Bliss, R.O., to be attached to the 2nd Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles, with the rank of Lieutenant. Lieut, and Captain F. H. C. Sutton, R.C.D., to be attached to the 1st Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles, with the rank of Lieutenant. One civilian clerk.(=540 all ranks)

The Sessional papers provide more interesting details about Straghcona's Horse:

"The next corps to be organized in Canada for service in South Africa, Lord Strathcona's Horse, was recruited, horsed, armed, equipped, clothed, conveyed to South Africa, and paid until the date of arrival there, at the sole expense of Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal, and the members thereof were also, from the date of arrival in South Africa, paid from Lord Strathcona's privy purse the difference between Imperial cavalry pay and the higher rates paid by Canada to the North-west Mounted Police Force. No corps left Canada, and it is doubtful whether there was any in the field in South Africa, so thoroughly clothed and equipped as that placed at the service of the Empire by Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal. It was, I am sure, a privilege and a pleasure to the officers of the Departments of Militia and Defence and of the North-west Mounted Police to assist in the organization of such a regiment.

ESTABLISHMENT. The regiment consisted of a regimental staff and three squadrons, in accordance with the Army Establishment for a Cavalry Regiment, 1898. The regimental staff and detail of a squadron were the same as the Canadian Mounted Rifles (pages 69 and 70), with the exception that there were six drivers per squadron instead of four, and twelve draught horses per squadron instead of eight.

The establishment was therefore as follows:
Officers, 25; WO, 1; Staff & Sergt. 35; Aritifieers, 22; Transporters 6;
Rank & File 448 = (537 all ranks).

Horses, Public: Riding 485, Draught 60, Pack 3, (= 548 horses).

After the first enrollment, Lord Strathcona requested that an officer and 50 additional men be sent out as reinforcements. The men came from the same three parts of Canada, but traveled separately to South Africa.

Strathcona Horse encampment — Cape Town, South Africa
[ Photo: Canadian Legion Archives, LAC PA-028918 ]

An account was given by Lieutenant-Colonel S. B. Steele_[3] of the regiment's preparation for departure, and their travels to South Africa aboard the S. S. Monteray. On that voyage, the company unfortunately lost many horses to illness.

Lieut. Col. S. B. Steele Account:

"The recruiting stopped on February 9, the regiment was complete on March 7, and a mounted parade was ordered for that day for inspection by His Excellency the Governor General, a flag on behalf of the citizens of the town of Sudbury was presented to the regiment. On the 8th the regiment again paraded mounted and marching through the streets to the Parliament grounds was presented by Mrs. Borden, on behalf of the ladies of the Civil Service at Ottawa, with four beautifully worked guidons, a gift very much appreciated by the officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the corps. Monday the 12th was the day named for the departure of the regiment for Halifax, and as it was necessary to start early the horses where all loaded on the 11th. Entrained at 10 o'clock and moved out amidst the encouraging cheers of the large number of people who had come to see them off. Arriving at Montreal at 3 p.m. met with a most enthusiastic reception. The corps entrained again at 10 p.m. and reached Halifax on the morning of March 15. On the 16th, at 3 p.m., the regiment was paraded and drawn up en masse in the drill hall and were inspected by Lt. Gen. Lord Wm. Seymour, commanding the troops in British North America. After the inspection the regiment marched through the streets, headed by the whole garrison, to the ship and immediately embarked. A few minutes later, amidst the greatest enthusiasm possible, the ship pulled out in the stream, where she remained until the following day. [On the 16th they boarded at 5 pm, pulled out of the docks, remaining in the stream, on the 17th set sail for Cape Town.]

The voyage from Halifax to Cape Town was marked by splendid weather "not a rough sea was experienced during the whole of it "but the enjoyment was marred to a large extent by the worry and sorrow brought about by the loss of so many of our horses. It was found after one or two days out that a great many of the horses were unable to stand the decided change of climate between the prairie country and Ottawa and between the latter city and Halifax. The slight colds contracted soon developed, and before many days, in spite of everything that could be done, we found ourselves with an epidemic of pneumonia amongst the animals. 176 horses died during the voyage.

The ship arrived in Table Bay on the 10th of April and we disembarked the following day, going into camp on Green Point Common." [They arrived on the 10th at Table Bay, which forms the harbour for the city of Cape Town. The bay extends from Melkbosstrand and north from Cape Town being, 9 km (6 mi) wide, and 19 km (12 mi) long, the troops reached the docks and disembarked (landed) on the 11th of April.]

Members of Lord Strathcona Horse in South Africa
[ Photo: Canadian War Museum ]

Boer War Records mentioning Lieut. J. E. Leckie

Following are excerpts from were official reports and correspondence to Lord Strathcona from commanding officers in the field_[4], many quoting from the Regimental Diary. We include here the excerpts that mention Greenwood's own Lieutenant J. Edwards Leckie.

Lt. Colonel Sam Steele — Weekly Report to Lord Strathcona — Feb 17, 1900

[List of} Personnel — Officers Lieut. Leckie is a graduate of the Royal Military College and has had experience in Western life. He is now a resident of British Columbia. He has served in the 72nd Battalion since 1895. …

Inspector Morris of the N. W. M. Police was detailed to accompany me west and I directed him to proceed via the Crows Nest to Nelson where in conjunction with Lieut. Leckie of "Strathcona's Horse," he soon obtained the number allotted and entrained for the east with 52 men on the 9th instant, picking up Lieutenant Parker and troop (42) of Fort Steele at Cranbrooke.

Lt. Colonel Sam Steele - Report to Lord Strathcona - Sep 3, 1900

On the 30th a portion of the army marched to Nooitgedacht, S.A.L.H. in advance. We halted on the heights some distance from the station and found that the British prisoners who had been at a laager at this place were released, and were streaming along the railway towards Watervaal Ouder.

Lieut. Leckie was sent to reconnoitre the town of Nooitgedacht and to communicate the fact to General French that the Brigade was on the heights. He took six men. The work was well done and Lt. Leckie and two of the men will get honourable mention. I enclose a copy of his report which pleased Gen. Buller very much. Lt. Leckie met General Buller who expressed his satisfaction with the work well done.

Lt. Colonel Sam Steele - Report to Lord Strathcona - Sep 14, 1900

The Regiment was ordered to place picquets on the high ridge to the right of the camp. The orders were transmitted to Captain Cameron who commanded the outposts on the left flank.

Lieut. Leckie was sent to occupy a post on the high ridge to the right and Sergt. Logan, it appears, was sent with a section to a post on the same ridge still further to the front. Lieut. Leckie succeeded in getting to the ground, but found the enemy in considerable force. He then sent in to say that in order to hold the place support would be necessary. Lord Dundonald then ordered two troops of the Regiment to go out to his support.

In the meantime it was reported that Sergt. Logan and three men were missing. Pte. McDuff one of his men, who remained some distance in rear returned to camp with this information.

Two troops were ordered to carry out Lord Dundonald's orders, but unfortunately Lieut. Kirkpatrick, who was the Officer in Charge did not carry out the instructions which had been given to him through Major Jarvis and advanced to the rocky kopje which had been the cause of Sergt. Logan's party being missing, with the result that the troops became entangled among the snipers. Sergt. Brothers and Pte. Cruickshank were found to be missing. The troops were forced to return to camp. In the meantime Lieut. Leckie had to retire from his post.

Lydenburg to Knuckle Spruit
Sunday, 9th September

The force moved at 7.30 this morning. The horses were led from the first ridge to the 2nd and assembled behind a rocky kopje. We were the moved over to cover the artillery which at this time was under heavy fire from Pom-Poms, rifles and artillery. This subsided for a few minutes and we were ordered forward moving with troops extended. When the Regt. got out of cover the Pom-Pom fire became very hot and we were ordered back. Again the Regt. was brought forward and a troop of "C" Squadron under Lieut. Leckie was sent out to scout in front. Captain Cameron with the remainder of "C" Squadron going in support. Later on that portion of the Regt. in reserve and finally the whole of it took positions on the rocky range. The maxims, which were along, did excellent work.

Letter to Lord Strathcona from Lt. Colonel Sam Steele — Oct 4, 1900

Near Pilgrim's Rest
Friday
September 28th.

With the exception of "B" Squadron, which was still on duty over the town the Regt. was on rear guard to-day and remained in our last night's bivouac until after nightfall, the marched in rear of transport to bivouac two miles beyond town at foot of long hill on Lydenburg road.

A troop under Mr. Leckie was in town all day guarding the prisoners and attending to other duties all of which they performed to the satisfaction of the Provost Marshal.

Letter to Lord Strathcona from Lt. Colonel Sam Steele — Nov 4, 1900

I notice that in the report of Gen. Buller's operations over the Mauchberg the Highlanders and other Infantry were over the mountain first. This is a mistake, quite unintentional of course. Lt.s Leckie and White-Fraser with two troops of "C" Squadron scaled the Mauchberg and were over before any infantry. In fact, I sent Lt. Leckie to Sir Redvers Buller to get his special orders re the advance, and I brought the remainder of the regiment then in reserve forward, and held a position to enable the Highlanders to go on. I then pushed on round the mt. with two squadrons and saw Lt.s Leckie and White-Fraser on their position beyond the Mauchberg. "B" Squadron moved forward and captured a large quantity of supplies.

Letter to Lord Strathcona from Lt. Colonel Sam Steele — Feb 12, 1901

December 21st - Reveille at 3:30. Stood to horses at 4:30. Relieved the outposts at 5. Colonel Barker has sent forward but will not attack until he hears from General Knox. Colonel Williams is on our right and has been ordered to move along the range of hills for the purpose of forcing the enemy to retire. The column started with the Regiment in advance of the main body, but the 9th Lancers had been previously sent forward to reconnoitre the Nek. We halted at the Jews store four miles from the Nek. Lieut. Leckie with 12 men scouted the Spitz Kop, turned that position and climbed up to the high ridge to the left of the Nek. The advance of the 9th Lancers having been seen on the Nek Colonel Barker ordered us to advance, which was done. The halt seemed to be unnecessarily long but as Colonel Barker said the training of Cavalry was such that in an operation of this kind their duty ceased at the first exchange of shots, and others were left to fight it out. He added that our men would have taken the position in half the time whether they met the enemy or not. Halted in the Nek for dinner, and marching again passed some beautiful farms owned by Englishmen, reaching "Evening Star", a Roman Catholic Mission, at 6:30. The Regiment took up the advance from the Nek to this point.

Lieut. J. E. Leckie's Return Home

The following report to Lord Strathcona from Lt. Colonel Sam Steele appears to have been written sometime after February 14, 1901._[5] In it, he provides details of the return to Canada of at least some members of Strathcona's Horse.

There is another record that confirms J. E. Leckie was among this returning group, evidenced by a report of shipping records, published in the London Times on February 14th_[6], listing arrivals at Gravesend, a port in northwest Kent, England:

The Lake Erie arrived of Gravesend early yesterday morning and was docked at Albert Docks this morning. The following were listed:

Lieutenant Colonel S B Steele, in command; Majors D M Howards, G W Cameron, R Belcher, A M Jarvis; Captains R M Courtney, J J MacDonald, E F Mackie, CB Keehan, M D, F L Cartwright; Lieutenants A E Christie, A W Strange, J E Leckie, M H White-Fraser, G H Kirkpatrick, W Parker, F Harper, H S Tobin, G E Laidlaw, J R Snider, E J Steele; Veterinary Lieutenant G T Stevenson and 343 men.

Report to Lord Strathcona from Lt. Colonel Sam Steele:

Returning back to Canada: We arrived at Cape Town on the 20th and immediately embarked on the "Lake Erie" for London. Before sailing, I called on the High Commissioner, Sir Alfred Milner, who spoke very highly of the services rendered to the Empire by Lord Strathcona's Horse.

The weather was fine during the whole of the voyage, and. with the exception of six cases of enteric fever which developed on the ship, there was no sickness at all. Arriving at Gravesend on the 13th February, the men suffering from enteric fever were taken off and placed in hospital, and as this took considerable time, the ship missed the tide and we were obliged to remain there all day i was met here by several of the members of the Colonial Entertainment Committee, who submitted a magnificent programme for the entertainment of the regiment in England. T also received orders that the regiment would be employed on arrival in the morning in lining the streets through which His Majesty the King would drive in proceeding to Westminster to open his first Parliament. The honour of being allowed to take some small part in this historic event was fully appreciated by all ranks.

On our arrival at the Royal Albert docks on the 14th, the corps immediately disembarked and proceeded by train to Kensington Barracks, from where we marched to Pall Mall, taking up a position there.

A number of men remained in England on furlough, the remainder sailing from Liverpool on the "Numidian" on the 23rd, arriving at Halifax on the 9th, after a stormy passage. The regiment left Halifax on the same day, and along the route from there to Ottawa we were met by large numbers of people who wished to welcome us home. At Moncton, I was presented with an address from the loyal people of that town. Arriving at Montreal on the morning of the 11th, the regiment was received by the band of the Garrison Artillery and by a great many citizens.

All ranks are deeply grateful to yourself and the members of the Military Staff for the kindness extended during the organization of the regiment here, and since that time, to Lord Strathcona, who has been kindness itself.

I have the honour to be, sir, Your obedient servant: Lt.-Col. S.B. Steele.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] History of Lord Strathcona Horse — National Defense & Canadian Armed Forces
http://www.journal.forces.gc.ca/vo9/no2/08-grad-eng.asp
FNN [49] Gary A. Roncetti and Edward E. Denby,"The Canadians:" Those who Served in South Africa, 1899-1902 (NP: Edward E. Danby & Associates, 1979), p. 133; Miller, p. 236

[2] House of Commons Sessional Paper No. 35a, p.155
https://angloboerwar.com/forum/8-events/9982-canada-s-strathcona-s-horse-in-the-second-anglo-boer-war#20547

[3] Lieut. Col. S. B. Steele's Account of Strathcona Horse's Departure
https://angloboerwar.com

[4] Reports to Lord Strathcona mentioning R. E. Leckie:

Lt. Colonel Sam Steele — Weekly Report to Lord Strathcona — Feb 17, 1900

Lt. Colonel Sam Steele — Report to Lord Strathcona — Sep 3, 1900

Lt. Colonel Sam Steele — Report to Lord Strathcona — Sep 14, 1900

Letter to Lord Strathcona from Lt. Colonel Sam Steele — Oct 4, 1900

Letter to Lord Strathcona from Lt. Colonel Sam Steele — Nov 4, 1900

Letter to Lord Strathcona from Lt. Colonel Sam Steele — Feb 12, 1901

[5] Report to Lord Strathcona from Lt. Colonel Sam Steele — c. Feb 1901
https://www.angloboerwar.com/forum/8-events/9982-canada-s-strathcona-s-horse-in-the-second-anglo-boer-war

[6] Shipping Records — London Times, Feb 14, 1901
https://angloboerwar.com/other-information/86-shipping-records/1810-shipping-records-february-1901

REFERENCES:

Canada's First Foreign War — The Boer War
https://legionmagazine.com/en/2017/05/canadas-first-foreign-war/