1901 SOUTH AFRICA Vlakfontein, BOER WAR, Lt. V.W.STEWARD, 7th New Zealand Regt

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1901 SOUTH AFRICA Vlakfontein, BOER WAR, Lieut. V.W.STEWARD, of the 7th New Zealand Regt. written on pocket book note paper to Major John Ponsonby, (Later Major-General sir John Ponsonby) commander of the 5th New Zealand Regiment

"Vlakfontein. 10th July 1901.

Dear Major Ponsonby,

I wish to write a few lines to thank you sincerely for the many kindnesses you shewed me during the whole time you were in command of the 5th N.Z. Regt.

I heard with regret of your departure to England as I had hoped that some day in the future I should have had the pleasure of thanking you in person for what you have done for me.

I am an Acting Lieut. with the 7th N.Z. Regt, and have been serving in that capacity for the last 6 weeks. My appointment has yet to be confirmed by Lord Kitchener, but I trust that this is only a matter of time.

Capt. simson (late Lieut. of B Squad, 5th, is my squadron leader and is exceedingly popular & capable in his present position. Capt. Abbott, (awaiting confirmation of his majority by Lord Kitchener) Capt. Henry and Capt. Batger are all here but have not yet received squadrons, Srgt. Paget & Mathson are acting Lieut's. and 11 NCO's and men of the old 5th have been made Sergeants.

I was lucky enough to get a troop, at the outset and have so far had no difficulty in my new position.

We have seen a great deal of fighting (Under Pom Pom first 3 days running) and the 7th N.Z. have lost so far 6 men killed, 13 wounded and 35 taken prisoner.

Col. Grey was in charge of our column for the 1st month but left us last week and was returned to Rhodesia, Col Parratt (6th Dragoons) is now in command & has proved himself a most capable O.C.

We are now making for the Free State after 2 Boer Commando's.

Respectfully wishing you many years of continued welfare & Happiness, I remain yours

obediently, V.W.Steward

(Lieut 22 Coy, 7th N.Z. Regt.)"

Vlakfontein is a small settlement in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. During the Second Boer War it was the site of a guerrilla action against the British forces where a Victoria Cross was awarded to William John English of the Scottish Horse for conspicuous gallantry

Fresh to the Market Place, from Major-General Sir John Ponsonby's Autograph Letter Collection, For more from this collection see our shop category for SIR HENRY & JOHN PONSONBY COLLECTION

John Ponsonby (British Army officer)From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Major-General Sir John Ponsonby KCB CMG DSO (25 March 1866 – 26 March 1952) was a British Army officer who commanded 5th Division during World War I

Born the son of Sir Henry Ponsonby (Queen Victoria's Private Secretary), his Mother Hon. Mary Elizabeth Ponsonby, Maid of Honour to Queen Victoria and a daughter of John Crocker Bulteel.

His brothers were Frederick Ponsonby, ( Assistant Private Secretary to Edward VII & GV), and Arthur Augustus William Harry Ponsonby, 1st Baron Ponsonby of Shulbrede, (British politician, writer, and social activist).

His Two Sisters were Alberta Victoria Ponsonby (6 May 1862 – 15 October 1945) and Magdalen Ponsonby (24 June 1864 – 1 July 1934) Author

Sir John was educated at Eton College, He was gazetted to the Royal Irish Rifles 16 November 1887, and to the Coldstream Guards 15 August 1888, becoming Lieutenant 29 June 1891. He was ADC to the Governor and Commander-in-Chief, South Africa, 10 August 1891 to 30 January 1895; served in operations in Matabeleland (Medal); was promoted to Captain 7 September 1898, and in that year served in Uganda (Medal), and again in 1899, during the operations against Kabarega (clasp). Captain Ponsonby served in the South African War, 1899-1902, on special service with the Rhodesian Field Force, 19 February 1900 to 7 July 1901. He was Adjutant, 5th New Zealand Regiment, 8 June 1900 to 1 January 1901; afterwards in command 1 January to 18 January 1901. From February to May 1900, be was employed with Mounted Infantry, and he took part in operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria, from July to 29 November 1900; operations in the Transvaal, February to June 1901; operations in Cape Colony, February to 31 May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with four clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "John Ponsonby, Captain, Coldstream Guards. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented by the King 27 October 1901. He was promoted to Major 23 January 1904, and commanded the Guards' Depot 1 March 1905 to 28 February 1907. He became Lieutenant Colonel 28 October 1913.

Lieutenant Colonel Ponsonby served in the European War, 1914—18; Landed in France 13th August 1914 in charge of 1st Coldstream Guards,Wounded 15th September & returned to unit 21st November. commanded the 2nd Guards Brigade, BEF, 26 August 1915 to 19 November 1916: was given the Brevet of Colonel 1 January 1916; commanded the Special Reserve Infantry Brigade 28 November 1916 to 7 March 1917; commanded the 21st Infantry Brigade, BEF, 8 March to 20 March 1917; became Colonel 20 March 1917; commanded the 2nd Guards Brigade, British Armies in France, 21 March to 21 August 1917; commanded the 40th Division, British Armies in France, 22 August 1917 to 3 July 1918; subsequently commanded the 5th Division, British Armies in France, 4 July 1918 to 1 April 1919; was promoted to Major General 1 January 1919. He was mentioned in Despatches; created a CMG in 1915, a CB in 1918, and was given the Brevet of Colonel.

He went on to become General Officer Commanding 5th Division remaining in that role until the end of the War. After the War he became General Officer Commanding the Madras District of India. He retired in 1928.

He lived at Haile Hall near Beckermet in Cumbria

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1901 SOUTH AFRICA Vlakfontein, BOER WAR, Lieut. V.W.STEWARD, of the 7th New Zealand Regt. written on pocket book note paper to Major John Ponsonby, (Later Major-General sir John Ponsonby) commander of the 5th New Zealand Regiment "Vlakfontein. 10th July 1901. Dear Major Ponsonby, I wish to write a few lines to thank you sincerely for the many kindnesses you shewed me during the whole time you were in command of the 5th N.Z. Regt. I heard with regret of your departure to England as I had hoped that some day in the future I should have had the pleasure of thanking you in person for what you have done for me. I am an Acting Lieut. with the 7th N.Z. Regt, and have been serving in that capacity for the last 6 weeks. My appointment has yet to be confirmed by Lord Kitchener, but I trust that
Country/ Organization Great Britain
Letter From Lt. V.W.STEWARD
Related Interests 7th New Zealand Regiment
Service Army
Country South Africa
Family Surname Steward
City/Town/Village/Place Vlakfontein
Continent Africa
Year of Issue 1901
Theme Militaria
Era 1901-1950
Addressed to Major John Ponsonby
Issued/ Not-Issued Issued
Type Letter
Document Type Original Manuscript Letter
Conflict Boer War (1899-1902)