was very difficult, and it was due to the energy of
Captain Jones, R.N., and the officers and men of the Naval Brigade
that one 12-pounder (Lieutenant Burne) was in position at Van Wyk at
daylight. The other 12-pounder lost a wheel in the bad ground.... The
Naval guns and the 10th Brigade were brought down from Van Wyk during
the night. I may here remark that hard and well as Captain Jones and
the men of the Naval Brigade worked during this war, I do not believe
they ever had harder work to do or did it more willingly than in
getting their guns up and down Van Wyk. They had to work continuously
for thirty-six hours...."

* * * * *

_From Field-Marshal Lord Roberts, V.C., G.C.B._

Pretoria,
_July 10th, 1900._

"I have much pleasure in supporting the recommendations put forward by
Sir Redvers Buller on behalf of the Officers and Petty Officers of the
Royal Navy."

* * * * *

_Report from Lieutenant Burne, R.N._

H.M.S. _Monarch's_ (late H.M.S. _Tartar's_) 12-pounder Q.-F. Battery,

Grass Kop, Sandspruit.
_October 24th, 1900._

On withdrawal from the front, I wish to forward for the favourable
consideration of the Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Sir Robert Harris,
K.C.M.G., a short report on detachment of H.M.S. _Monarch's_ (late
_Tartar's_) men now under my command, and who have served on shore
with the Natal Army for over a year. Since my last report to Captain
Jones, R.N., the Officer commanding Naval Brigade, on June 16th, after
the victory of Almond's Nek, this battery has taken part in the march
on Wakkerstroom and its occupation, the defence of Sandspruit and
action four miles north of it, with Cavalry and other Artillery, under
General Brocklehurst, M.V.O., which was a spirited little affair, and
where the battery earned the commendation of the General on the
shooting; later, the attack on Grass Kop and its occupation by the
Dorsets was covered by these guns and other artillery on July 24th,
and drew a heavy shell fire from four Boer Creusot guns in its
defence, this battery at that time being led by Lieutenant
Clutterbuck, R.N., when I was ill with jaundice, but whom I again
relieved on July 27th, and have continued since that date in the
defence of Grass Kop. My guns from here covered the r