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Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 714

(x) Marshall's Horse

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State (303 Pte. A. Hayter. Marshall's Horse), nearly extremely fine

A. Hayter was killed in action at Israel's Poort on 25 April 1900, when British forces attempted to cut off Boer forces operating to the south-east of Bloemfontein.

Aware of the potential trap of being caught in a long valley which progressively narrowed until commanded by a line of strongly Boer-held kopjes, the British and Canadian commanders decided to outflank the Boers with their Mounted Infantry, rather than undertake a deliberate full-scale frontal attack. Using the infantry as a feint, Lieutenant-Colonel W. D. Otter advanced under a heavy fire - at 800 metres from a defended kopje the situation became confused and some troops began to waver, but despite the C.O. being struck by two bullets, one causing a flesh wound, order was restored by the officers and N.C.O.s.

In so doing, the flanking movements began to lever the Boers out of their strong positions and with resistance lessening, two Canadian companies advanced up a narrow ravine running obliquely across the field and suddenly appeared to the rear of the Boers. This settled the matter, and the Boers abandoned the position. Considering the amount of time under fire, casualties amongst the infantry were remarkably light with one man killed and three wounded, including Otter who was placed on medical leave for a month. Israel's Poort - the first major engagement for the Canadians since Paardeburg - firmly established the Royal Canadians as a veteran battalion.

The name of A. Hayter is recorded on a the casualty list dated 4 November 1902, one of 58 men from Marshall's Horse who were injured or killed during the conflict; sold with copied research.


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Sold for
£240