Full medal write up
DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL, V.R. ‘PTE. H. BUSH. 2/21ST FOOT. JANY. 1881.’, SOUTH AFRICA 1877-79, CLASP, 1879 ‘2418. PTE. H. BUSH. 2-21ST FOOT.’
D.C.M. Recommendation submitted to the Queen, 21 September 1882.
In a report submitted by Major C. Thornhill, Officer Commanding the Royal Artillery at Potchefstroom, dated 23 March 1881, he records as follows:
“Further I have to bring to your attention the conspicuous gallantry of Drivers Gibson and Pead and Trumpeter Martin, who on the occasion of the attack on the trenches on the 22nd January went out under the very heavy fire, and at great Personal risk carried in 2 wounded men. In the first instance Dvr. Gibson and Trumpeter Martin carried in Dvr. Walsh N/5 R.A. who I regret to say has since died of his wounds - and in the second instance Dvr. Gibson and Dvr. Pead carried in Private Colvin 2/21st Royal Scots Fus. - Dvr. Gibson thus being present in both instances which occurred within a few moments of each other. These acts speak of themselves without any further comment of mine.”
For their gallant conduct after the attack on the Boer trench on 22 January 1881, it has always been stated that Lance-Corporal Patrick Cunnief and Private Henry Bush were later awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. The lack of mentions of these two soldiers in the report above was because this was an extract from a report relating to the Royal Artillery at Potchefstroom (full report with research). An article in the Madras weekly Mail, 6 December 1882 sheds more light on Bush’s award. Private Bush who was then serving with the Fusiliers in India, received his medal during a review of 5,000 troops on 28 November 1882. After reviewing the troops, Lord Roberts:
“…proceeding to the extreme right of the first line and rode along until he came to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers, when Private Bush was called to the front and was presented with a medal for distinguished conduct in the field. A paper was read briefly stating why and wherefore the medal was given viz: the intrepidity of private Bush in the Transvaal during the late war with the Boers, in gaining information from personal observation of certain earthworks that were thrown up by the enemy. In placing the medal on his breast H. E. spoke in praise of his brave conduct and hoped he would live for many years to wear the decoration that he had won. After a few words from the Major-General commanding, private Bush was directed to take up his position near the saluting flag and the inspection of the line resumed.”
As can be seen, when addressing the troops, Lord Roberts stated the award was for “gaining information from personal observation of certain earthworks that were thrown up by the enemy.” The reporter just gave brief details of the recommendation, which would have been longer and may well have mentioned the attack on the 22 January, which may be published elsewhere in Indian newspapers. However from what was read out, it is clear at least part of Bush’s recommendation was not for the 22 January action as this was an attack on Boer positions, not a reconnaissance. It is therefore almost certain that Private Bush performed acts of gallantry on different dates. This is borne out by the fact that Bush’s D.C.M. is engraved with just the month for which the act/s was awarded; “Jany. 1881.”. At this time a specific day was additionally engraved but it was not if acts were performed on different dates.
Regarding the likely reconnaissance, it is almost certainly the reconnaissance on 7 January, led by Lieutenant Lindsell and six men; twenty men had immediately volunteered, and lots were drawn to see who would be the lucky six. The official report colonel Winsloe stated:
“On the night of the 7th I sent a part of volunteers consisting of Lieutenant Lindsell and 6 men to ascertain what was going on behind the cemetery wall where we had heard digging for several nights. This service was most successfully performed and I learned all that I required. Three volleys were fired amongst the enemy before they had time to seize their rifles and the small party returned to camp under heavy fire without loss’
In the original report for the month of January, only this action on the 7th, the attack on the 22nd and a Boer attack on the magazine and the 4th are bracketed in pencil by the recipient (the assistant Adjutant General) for particular note; something frequently done when gallant behaviour was being performed (or the opposite!). Since the 4 January was a Boer attack and the 22 January was a British attack, it seems almost certain Bush’s gallantry was performed on the 7 January reconnaissance in addition to the 22 January attack.
Going on to relieved on the 23 March 1881, the 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers suffered a total of 83 casualties out of 213 all ranks at Potchefstroom. They sailed for India in December 1881. They returned to South Africa for service during the Second Boer War, and in June 1900 the same battalion raised the historic Union Flag taken from Pretoria over the old Fort in remembrance of the gallant defence.
Further details of the siege can be found here:
http://samilitaryhistory.org/vol052jo.html
And Colonel Winsloe diary:
http://samilitaryhistory.org/misc/potch80.html
Condition, minor edge bruising, otherwise GVF. Sold with some research, including copies of the original report for the siege by Colonel Winsloe 1881. Ex Christie’s, October 1991; Dix Noonan Webb, May 2017 (£19,500).