CHURCHILL'S GALLANTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 295, 13 December 1899, Page 5

CHURCHILL'S GALLANTRY.

.Particulars of the armoured train reverse at Chievely show that the train left Estcourt at five o'clock on November 13. and went as far as Chieveley, only seeing between 200 and -300 Boers. On returning a perfect shower of shot and shell burst over the train with an accuracy which showed the range had been marked off in advance. j All stood to arms, but 500 yards furl ther on a truck toppled over, knocking* the naval gun out of action. The enemy concentrated their big

fire on the ill-fated train, the shells smashing into the.-trucks.

Ihe engine was struck twice, but was not disabled. The driver stuck to his post, though wounded.

The men worked over an hour under a hot fire, removing the derailed thruck. This done, the engine tender steamed backward.

The Dublins and the volunteers, fighting an unequal battle, twice drove the enemy back, but the fierceness of the Boer rifle and big gun fire told against the brave little party.

As the men were wounded their comrades put them on the tender, and 14 injured were so brought in by train.

The Boer artillery fire was so severe that the telegraph wires and poles were-'torn down and the trucks hit again and again.

Lieut. Winston* Churchill distinguished himself in connection with this engagement. With the greatest coolness he superintended operations of getting jhe trucks righted and the line free. He encouraged the men working by walking about, in the open while the bullets were flying round him, telling the working party not to mind as the aim was bad.

Just when the line was clear Capt. Wylie was shot in the thigh and dropped. Sertg. Todd, who also was injured in the hand, went to his captain's assistance. He built a cover of stones as protection against- the rifle fire. Just as he was lying down a shell, burst right in front, scattering the stones in all directions. Some of the stones struck Todd on the hip, inflicting an ugly "but not iserious wound. The engine in the meantime had gone forward, and was brought back by. Churchill to pick up as many wounded as could be found. Wylie and Todd were taken upon the tender. The engine went some further distance when Captain Haldane of the Dublins and Lieut. Churchill jumped off and joined the men who were lighting their way beck.