Northamptonshire Regt - Saran Sar 1897

[triton]

Hi, I am interested in the Tirah campaign of 1897 and more particularly the actions of the Northamptonshire Regt. My Great Great Uncle Daniel Hearn (Pte 2108, 1st Bn) died in the retreat down from Saran Sar on the 9th of November 1897 and was one of the famous (at the time) 'Last stand of the Northamptons". I am always on the lookout for more information particularly about the events of that day. Would love to hear from anyone who may have more info or ancestors who fought there. 

Thanks for your time. 

[neil1821]

The 1/Northamptons casualties listed here:
http://www.angelfire.com/mp/memorials/tirahx1.htm

Just in case you haven't seen the full (other ranks) list

[scrimnet]

During July and August 1897 there had been trouble on the NW Frontier, combined with fierce attacks on the posts in the Khyber at Landi Kotal and the forts on the Samana by the Afridis and Orakzais, the entire frontier was "up" and punitive expeditions became essential.

The large force of combined British and Indian troops were commanded by Lt Gen Sir William Lockhart.

"The general object of this expedition is to extract reparations for the unprovoked aggression of the Afridi and Orakzai tribes on the Peshawar and Kohat borders, for the attacks on our frontier posts and for the damage to life and property which has been inflicted on British subjects and those in British service. It is believed this object can best be attained by an invasion of the Tirah, the summer home of the Afridis and Orakzais which has never been entered by a British force"

The main column of Lockharts force consisted of x2 divisions each of x2 brigades, the 1st bn Northamptons forming part of Brig Gen Westmacotts 4th bde, with the 2nd bn KOSB 1st bn 3rd Gurkhas and the 36th Sikhs.

The 48h left Secundabad on the 16th Aug for the Punjab. There was a case of suspected cholera in the bn and the mans kit was burned on the square before the bn was allowed to proceed.

[scrimnet]

On 9th Nov after various incidents and a journey by train to the area, a reconnaissance was ordered to be carried out by the 4th bde onto Saran Sar, the Peak Of Peaks, which commands the east of the Maidan Valley. The Regts concerned were the 1st Northamptons, 1st Dorsets 36th Sikhs and a mountain battery. The objective was the high pass which leads to the Waran Valley. The advance was carried out with the Northamptons in the centre.

During the early part of the advance there was desultory fire both on the 48th and the Dorsets. The Dorsets did not appear to have been making much progresstowards the position which could cover the Northamptons line of advance, they continued unsupported and commenced the ascent. After a climb of 1000 feet the brow of the first knoll was reached. Westmacott ordered a halt for the men to recover their breath and to fix bayonets

[scrimnet]

They then topped the crest and rushed to the next cover which as a knoll with a solitary tree, of which the enemy knew the range. The advance section found themselves under accurate fire. There was no other option but to double to the next crest where cover was found.

There was still no news of the Dorsets so x5 coys were detached to work around the northern side of the cliff, and the remaining x3 coys were taken along the pas at the foot of the cliff. Around x20 rounds were fired at the Northamptons as they advanced  and by 1100hrs they were in possession of the crest with the loss of only x2 wounded.

By 1215hrs the intelligence had been gathered and the order was given to retire, but Lockhart decided to make a personal reconnoitre, and the withdrawal was delayed until 1430hrs.

On the top of Saran Sar was Maj Compton, with several days growth of beard, and a walking stick walking up and down under heavy fire stating that the attempt to withdraw without adequate covering fire was against the principles of war. Maj Compton had passed Staff College.

[scrimnet]

The coys commenced the retirement in succession under long range fire from the enemy.When G coy under Capt Parkin had withdrawn some 200yds from the ridge they had been holding the enemy appeared on it and opened fire at point blank range causing several casualties. "The men however rallied around their officers  and with great courage and coolness kept the foe at bay while all the wounded were picked up and brought along. Sgt Lennon particularly distinguished himself by his deliberate shooting and set an excellent example of steadiness in a trying situation which had the best effect" He actually continued to keep up a steady fire even after he had been wounded.

After a short delay whilst the stretchers were brought forward the withdrawal continued in good order with the loss of x10 wounded who were carried down in safety and the supports reached. The retirement had been covered by the 36th Sikhs from a position on the right known as One Tree Hill. Thinking the Northamptons were now in safety, the Sikhs withdrew, as did the Dorsets on the left.

[scrimnet]

Dusk was falling and C, F and G coys delayed by their casualties now entered the mullah up which they had advanced, and they became strung out. A group of Afridis swooped down on the coys in the ravine and firing down at point blank range caused many casualties.

"It was here that Lt Waddell and Sgt Goffey were killed. Sgt Lichfield was shot through the knee and will lose his leg; Sgt Underdown was slightly wounded. C/Sgt Hull was shot through the ankle and Lt Trent wounded in the thigh. Sgt Guy distinguished himself  by going back with the dhoolies and removing C/Sgt Hull under fire Cpl Gray gallantly carried Sgt Litchfield from under a heavy and accurate fire by the enemy". Guy and Gray received the DCM for their actions.

When Lt Trent was hit by a Dum Dum, all the stretchers were full and one man who was only slightly wounded gave up his place for the officer.. On its return the stretcher broke and the men carrying it cooly put it down and repaired it under a hail of bullets, one had a button shot off and another had x2 rounds pass through his clothes.

These delays had made the situation serious, and Maj Fraser did his utmost to clear the men from the mullah, but in the poor light at the time, it was not discovered that 2Lt MacIntyre, C/Sgt Luck and x15 men were missing...

[scrimnet]

It appears that being on the exposed flank,they held on for too long  and being hampered with the wounded whom they could not leave behind, they were surrounded by Afridis and shot down to a man. This small detachment had gallantly sacrificed themselves in covering the retirement of the wounded convoy. A search party found their bodies the next day.They had been stripped of their clothing and arms and some of them slashed with swords, but the bodies were not otherwise mutilated.

"The way in which the Northamptons stuck to their wounded and brought them through the terrible mullah was a display of heroism and devotion worthy of a Regt that fought at Albuera. Surrounded by the enemy, exposed to a galling fire from the high banks to which they could not effectively reply with dead and dying men on every side and the horror of their desperate situation accentuated by the gathering darkness they fought on resolutely  and bravely  and sacrificed themselves without hesitation to save their wounded comrades who could not help themselves".

[scrimnet]

Illustrated London News 1897