The idea seems to have been that they would be able to drive north any Boers in that district, who would then find the garrison of Uitval's Nek at their rear.

The advance was checked, however, at a place called Dolverkrantz, which was strongly held by Boer riflemen.

The two guns were insufficiently protected, and the enemy got within short range of them, killing or wounding many of the gunners.

The lieutenant in charge, Mr.A.J.Turner, the famous Essex cricketer, worked the gun with his own hands until he also fell wounded in three places.

The situation was now very serious, and became more so when news was flashed of the disaster at Uitval's Nek, and they were ordered to retire.