In September 1914, the government of South Africa under the leadership of Prime Minister Louis Botha and Defence Minister Jan Smuts joined forces with Britain against Germany. Parliament supported this decision by 92 votes to 12.
Lex was in the B Company, 2nd South African Infantry. The Second Regiment was made up of men from Natal and the Orange Free State.
He died after the battle at Matruh, Egypt.
The letter below is from Jan Smuts, the Minister of Defence, dated 9 February 1916, writing on behalf of the Governor-General of South Africa, Viscount Buxton.
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| Letter signed by Jan Smuts, Minister of Defence |
Background, this could be what Lex experienced in his last month of battle before dying of his wounds:
WFF moved back to Mersa Matruh, having lost 14 other ranks killed, and 3 officers and 47 other ranks wounded.
Torrential rain throughout January created a lull in activity.
Torrential rain throughout January created a lull in activity.
An enlarged force breaks Senussi camp, in deep mud
On 19 January 1916, aerial reconnaissance revealed a large enemy camp - 100 Eurpean and 250 Bedouin tents - 25 miles from Mersa Matruh, at Hazalin (this was a mis-spelling on British maps of the actual place name of Halazin). This was a large enough force to make Wallace wait for reinforcements before striking out again. The South African Brigade arrived in Egypt from England, and their 2nd Regiment was immediately moved to join his column. For lack of railway transport, they moved from Alexandria by boat, landing at Mersa Matruh on 21 January. Two days later, Wallace once again split his force into two mobile columns for an attack. On his right, the column consisted of 2nd South African Regiment, 15th Sikhs, 1st New Zealand Rifle Brigade, and a squadron of the Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry, with the 1/6th Royal Scots in reserve. The left column included squadrons of the Dorset and Hampshire Yeomanry, the Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars and the Australian Light Horse, A Battery HAC and the Mounted Brigade Machine gun section. The attack was again successful in breaking the enemy positions, going through deep mud to do so. It was not without problems: the Train was left at Bir Shola and blankets and supplies could not be brought up; all vehicles had to be dragged by hand through the mud; the armoured cars could not operate.
British casualties on this oaccasion were heavier: 1 officer and 30 other ranks killed, 13 officers and 278 other ranks wounded. A conservative estimate of the enemy's losses put the figure at 200 killed and 500 wounded. Prisoners revealed that Senussi morale was declining fast, as they saw the British force increasing in size and becoming properly equipped for the task.
British casualties on this oaccasion were heavier: 1 officer and 30 other ranks killed, 13 officers and 278 other ranks wounded. A conservative estimate of the enemy's losses put the figure at 200 killed and 500 wounded. Prisoners revealed that Senussi morale was declining fast, as they saw the British force increasing in size and becoming properly equipped for the task.
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