nt corps
has fought and marched in summer rain and winter frost during many long
months, through the length and breadth of the Eastern Transvaal.

"The face of the country will remain for many years scarred with the
trenches they have dug and the works they have made. They have proved on
all occasions what a sound regimental system worked by thoroughly sound
officers, N.C.O.s, and men can do.

"The Major-General and all in number one column wish the Devons good
luck and a pleasant time in the near future."

On September 6th the Regiment entrained. The General and his staff and
the whole column turned out to give the Regiment a hearty farewell.
Machadodorp was reached at about 2 p.m., and all the posts round the
town were taken over from the Royal Irish Fusiliers. The railway
blockhouses in the neighbourhood of Machadodorp were also taken over.
Colonel Davies was appointed commandant of the station, and Captain
Ravenshaw station staff officer.

During September and October six companies were located on the Lydenburg
road as far as Witklip, holding the following posts:--Helvetia,
Schwartzkop, Schoeman's Kloof, Badfontein, and Witklip. Two companies
remained at Machadodorp with the battalion head-quarters.

In October, one company under Captain Holland and Lieutenant Willis,
whilst acting as escort to a party erecting blockhouses in the
Badfontein valley, was attacked by Ben Viljoen and about three hundred
Boers. The Boers galloped down from the hills on to the extended
company. The men behaved with great gallantry, and finally, after a
sharp and mixed-up fight, drove off the Boers. One man of the company
fell into their hands and was stripped and left. Lieutenant Willis, for
gallantry on this occasion, was rewarded with the D.S.O., and
Lance-Corporal Cummings was promoted corporal by the Commander-in-Chief
for gallantry in the field.

During the first week of November, orders were received for the 1st
Battalion to proceed to Standerton _en route_ to India. The 2nd
Battalion had been quartered there for a considerable time, and a
transfer of men was effected from one battalion to the other. The two
battalions spent Christmas together.

[Illustration: Devons En Route to Durban]

On January 1st (1902) the 1st Battalion entrained at daylight for
Durban.

The battalion met with a great reception at Maritzburg, where a halt was
made for nine hours. Here each man was presented by the ladies of that
place with a pipe,