Brigadier Thomas Ward, 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays) 1866-1949

(Taken  from the diary of Lt. Colonel J E Dewar)
"

30th October 1901 The Queen’s Bays received orders to hold themselves in readiness to proceed to South Africa on Active Service. They left Aldershot where the regiment was stationed on the morning of the 16th November and sailed in the HMS ‘Orotava’ from Southampton the same afternoon. Not a man was late for parade or the least the worst for liquor. Brevet Lt Colonel Fanshawe, 3 Officers, and 100 NCO’s and men in charge of all the horses viz:- 36 chargers and 445 Troop Horses sailed in the SS ‘Fortunas’ the previous day, and a few chargers and servants left on other ships the same week. The following old Bays were at Southampton to see the Regiment off; General Seymour, Majors Clarke, and Dawson, Captains Tattersall, Craigie, and Dr Chappel. Also Mr Marshall. Mr Johnson, and Mr Percival. The following Officers embarked with the regiment; Lt Col J R Dewar in command. Brevet Lt Col H D Fanshawe 2/1c. Major J C Walker Sqn Leader ‘B’ Sqn. Captain R D Herron Sqn Leader ‘A’ Sqn. Captain T Ward Sqn Leader ‘C’ Sqn. Captains' Thompson, Bradshaw, Leschalles, Browning. Lieutenants Allfrey, Hall, Oppenheim, Rumbold, Ing, Be??lton, Pinching. 2nd Lieutenants Hill, Cowan, Wilkin. Captain and QM Hopkins. Captain and Adjutant R L Mullens. 2nd Lieutenants Fernie, and O’Brien joined on the arrival of the regiment in SA. Strength of the regiment 23 Officers 513 Nco’s and Men. 43 Chargers and 445 Troop Horses. Strength of the Squadrons: ‘A’ Squadron 170 Nco’s and men. ‘B’ Squadron 167 Nco’s and men. ‘C’ Squadron 176 NCO’s and Men.

(Captain Ward is sitting on the front row far right.)

"As dawn broke it became clear that the Boers were in great force, and that they were working around both flanks of the Bays’ position.  Colonel Fanshawe decided to retire to a dominant crag some three miles back, called the Leeuwkop, or Lion’s Head, which was close to the Pretoria-Standerton road.  ‘B’ Squadron fell back about a mile to a ridge from where it could cover the withdrawal, followed by ‘A’ Squadron, leaving ‘C’ Squadron as rearguard.  ‘C’ Squadron’s retreat was conducted by Lieutenant Allfrey, as the squadron leader, Captain Ward, and Lieutenant Hill had both been wounded, and twenty-three killed and wounded Bays were left on the ground."