"By sundown the victory was ours, and when we came to look at the wonderful position we had captured we marvelled. It was late that night before we got into camp but next morning just prior to marching, General Hutton sent for us, and lining us up before the whole column, an army of some 12,000 men, he addressed us."

"Men of NSW Mounted Rifles," he began, "I'm proud of you. From the bottom of my heart I thank you for the grand work you did yesterday. That advance was simply magnificent, superb, it could not have been steadier and cooler, and as I watched you from my position, I only wished that I had the honour of being the officer that was leading you. You did exactly what ought to have been done in precisely the proper way. In that I say everything, I cannot say more, for yesterday's work has only substantiated the great name you have already won and will always carry with you. I have great pleasure in informing you that you will not be forgotten, and that Lord Roberts signalled his gratitude last night and complimented us on our grand victory in so successfully turning the enemy's flank."

"I can tell you Dad, the other regiments did look. I felt a very proud man that morning, and indeed we all did. We had reason to, don't you think?"

PRIVATE WALTER POPE