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Satsuma Sword Collector

Captain Maurice Bazely White 1879-1925

"December 26th 1899 Six Companies left camp at 7am and moved towards Roodewal; a farm about 5 miles off was cleared by "I" Company after strong opposition by the Boers. Three men were wounded. About 1pm an advance was commenced agaist Andrez Greyling's Farm in the Roodewal Hills, "A" Company in front. Information was then received that a large force of Boers was attacking the camp where "F" Company, under Captain Radyclyffe, was in charge of the baggage. The attack was consequently stopped and a retirement on the mine commenced.. The Boers followed and kept up a heavy fire. One Rifleman was killed and thirteen wounded in the retirement. At the mine about four hundred Boers galloped up to the sky line and opened a heavy fire. Captain Radyclyffe occupied a position outside the mine buildings, and as soon as the attack commenced the baggage moved off to meet the column. "F" Company made a fine stand, and finally the Boers retired without doing any damage worth mentioning to the baggage. Unfortunately "F" Company lost very heavily; Captain Radyclyffe and Lieutenant White were wounded, eight N.C.O.'s and men killed and twenty-nine wounded, two of who died in the night. Sergeant Angell and eighteen men were surrounded, and after firing all their ammunition were taken prisoner (late released)." An Officer of the Rifle Brigade c.1902
Stondon Place
Officers 1st Battalion, The Rifle Brigade on their way to South Africa October 1899
"Captain Maurice Bazely White was the second son of Tyndale White of Ongar. He was born on 5th July 1879 and after Harrow and Sandhurst, was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in The Rifle Brigade 29th November 1899, promoted Lieutenant 18 December 1900, and placed on half-pay on account of severe wounds received in action at Vlakfontein 26th December 1900...." (Taken from White's obituary in the The Rifle Brigade Chronicle for 1925) He was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with 7 clasps and King's South Africa. Despite being an invalid confined to a wheelchair, he was recalled for service in August 1914 and served at the Rifle Depot and was attached to the 5th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (Special Reserve) and remained with them for the remainder of the war. This was what an article from the Rifle Chronicle of 1920, The Work of the Rifle Depot during the War said:....." many old Officers joined at the commencement of the war....A Rifle Depot Recruiting Office was organized as a branch of the Orderly Room, in the first instance by Captain Hope KRRC, who was succeeded by Captain M. White, RB., on 5 December 1914." He was also assitant editor of the Chronicle in 1906. He became Captain on the 30th March 1916 and on 11th September 1918 he married the daughter of the Hon. Robert Rodley, the 2nd son of the 6th Baron Rodney. Maurice Bazely White born 5th July 1879 died 8th May 1925 in his 45th year. Towards the close of 1899 there arrived in Natal various drafts, among whom were the reservists for the 2nd Rifle Brigade, which had sailed from Crete before war was declared, and for the 1st and 2nd King's Royal Rifles, which had both been in South Africa before that date. These men were formed into a battalion commanded by Major Montagu-Stuart-Wortley of the King's Royal Rifles. During the time General Buller was at Spion Kop and Vaal Krantz the battalion was at Frere and afterwards at Chieveley, assisting Major General Barton in guarding the line and rail-head and in making demonstrations. In the last and successful endeavour to relieve Ladysmith the battalion was put into the 11th (Lancashire) Brigade under Major General Wynne and had an honourable share in the fourteen days' fighting. They were the first troops to enter Colenso on 20th February. Next day they crossed the river, and on the 22nd had heavy fighting, gaining various positions, which were, however, as difficult to hold as to seize. On the night of the 22nd the Boers attacked the positions, coming up very close. Captain Baker-Carr's company rushed out with fixed bayonets, killed several of the enemy, and drove them off. On the 23rd it was necessary to relieve two companies holding two kopjes in advance. The relief had to be effected by men and officers rushing out singly. In this movement 3 officers were wounded. On the 27th the battalion was posted on the slopes south of the river, and along with the Border Regiment was employed all day in long-range firing on the Boer positions. Three officers of the battalion were mentioned in General Buller's despatch of 30th March and 3 men recommended for the distinguished conduct medal. Seven additional officers were mentioned in the general's final despatch. After marching into Lady-smith the men joined their regiments. An account of the battalion's work is given in the Rifle Brigade Chronicle of 1900. General Buller, in his despatch of 30th March 1900, referring to Major Montagu-Stuart-Wortley, said, "I was much struck by the way in which a battalion made up of the drafts of three regiments, and officered chiefly by second lieutenants, worked under his command".

Wilkinson Patent Hilt 1899

This sword made for an officer of the Rifle Brigade is a P[atent]T [Solid] [H]ilt and was proved for a Maurice Bazely White on 9th April 1899. It has the trademark PT Hilt and the Wreath for the Rifle Brigade which has the device of the oval surround of the 1827 pattern rifles guard as proscribed for this Regiment. Interestingly, it has not been sharpened for active service but the blade is in very good condition along with the guard. However, the scabbard has seen hard active service and I suspect due to the dry black flaking marks left on the steel scabbard that it had a leather combat cover over it for the South African campaign at one point. Lastly, young Maurice chose to have his name and which Battalion he was posted to inscribed on the sword. It proudly reads: "MB WHITE 1st BATTn RIFLE BRIGADE"
Wilkinson Sword Ledger Proved 9th April 1899