It could only have been Malherbe’s men who caused the majority of ‘G’ company casualties. Archer, in his letter seems to be clear about what happened: “We had not gone far when we received a lot of shots from the enemy who
had got into a donga between us and our camp.” Archer clearly kept his head in what was becoming a difficult situation. Captain Paley gave the order to charge, driving Malherbe’s men out of the donga. Some of the Riflemen were mixed up together but Archer got them into sections and kept in command until they reached camp. Sergeant William Danton also assisted in this effort. The other companies got into line at the foot of the hill and each one had to cut their way through to the railway. Thesiger said that “we managed to stick several of them. We lost pretty heavily but I fancy there are very few battalions who could have got out without a disaster.” Colour Sergeant Saunders was killed as well as Sergeant Robert Patterson, 2nd Lieutenants Davenport and Bond and Sergeant Ebner were wounded, 15 men were killed or died of wounds, 31 were wounded and 6 were listed as captured but were quickly released.
had got into a donga between us and our camp.” Archer clearly kept his head in what was becoming a difficult situation. Captain Paley gave the order to charge, driving Malherbe’s men out of the donga. Some of the Riflemen were mixed up together but Archer got them into sections and kept in command until they reached camp. Sergeant William Danton also assisted in this effort. The other companies got into line at the foot of the hill and each one had to cut their way through to the railway. Thesiger said that “we managed to stick several of them. We lost pretty heavily but I fancy there are very few battalions who could have got out without a disaster.” Colour Sergeant Saunders was killed as well as Sergeant Robert Patterson, 2nd Lieutenants Davenport and Bond and Sergeant Ebner were wounded, 15 men were killed or died of wounds, 31 were wounded and 6 were listed as captured but were quickly released.
