Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Queen’s South Africa Medal awarded to Shoeing-Smith J. Hurst, Oxfordshire Yeomanry, who was killed in action on 26 February 1902, at Elandslaagte Farm, near Klerksdorp

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (35823 Shg:-Sth: J. Hurst. 40th Coy. Imp: Yeo:) last two clasps loose on ribbon as issued, nearly extremely fine £300-£400

John Hurst, 40th (Oxfordshire) Company, 10th Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry, was killed in action at Elandslaagte farm, near Klerksdorp, on 26 February 1902. He is buried in the Military Cemetery at Klerksdorp together with 46 other members of the Imperial Yeomanry (mostly from the action at Elandslaagte).

On 24 February 1902, a convoy heading for Klerksdorp bivouacked on the farm, Elandslaagte, between the Yster and Jagd Spruits, 25km south-west of Klerksdorp. The convoy was escorted by 230 Imperial Yeomanry of the 5th Battalion (13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 100th, 101st, 102nd Coys), 9th Battalion (88th Coy) and 10th Battalion (40th Coy), as well as regular soldiers, mounted infantry and artillery. In all, there were 770 troops.
Early the following morning, the march resumed, with both the advance guard and the rear guard, including Yeomanry and infantry, covering the movement. After the convoy had proceeded 3km, 250 Boers under General Liebenberg attacked its front, while General J. Kemp, with 250 men, attacked its left flank. This assault was beaten off with artillery and rifle fire. A second attack was met with the same result. A third assault, by General J. G. Celliers with 100 men, came from the rear, the Boers charging through the defensive ring of infantry. Some of Celliers' men then attacked on the right flank, while Kemp renewed his attack. This broke the outer defensive ring and, shortly afterwards, resistance collapsed on every side. The wagons were stampeded towards the Jagd Spruit, where they became stuck in the muddy waters of the stream and were captured. Some mounted infantry escaped to Klerksdorp, where the alarm was raised and reinforcements gathered. They hurried to the scene, but, on arrival, confronted by Kemp and his men, they could only report back that the disaster had been complete.
British losses were 73 men killed or mortally wounded, 110 wounded, 270 taken prisoner. Thirty-two men of the Imperial Yeomanry lost their lives. Of greater importance for the Boers was the capture of 156 wagons, 1500 mules, four artillery pieces, 2000 rifles and half-a-million rounds of ammunition. The Boer casualties were twelve dead and 42 wounded.

The 40th Company casualties on 26 February amounted to Lieutenant T. Willis and Shoeing-Smith J. Hurst killed, Sergeant F. G. Goldsworthy, died of wounds, one man wounded and three taken prisoner. Lieutenant Willis was the last Yeomanry officer to be killed during the Boer War.