Description
Natal, bar 1906, BWM and Bilingual Victory Pair, Memorial Plaque, Pte Sydney Richard “Dick” Rhodes, 6th South African Infantry, Killed in Action at Matamondo 10th August 1916.
At Matamondo on this day, the 6th SAI fought bravely as they “drove into the enemy’s right flank.”
The accompanying gunners of the Mountain Battery recalled that: “It was extremely difficult to see the movement of our troops, and the position of the South Africans could only be judged by their firing and by their singing Rule Britannia, whenever they successfully assaulted a hill.”
Dick Rhodes was among 2 Offiers and 4 men killed in action from the combined 5th and 6th S.A.I., with another 25 wounded.
Natal Medal, officially impressed: “CPL S. R. RHODES, NATAL ROYAL REGT”
British War and Victory (Bilingual Reverse) Officially impressed: “Cpl S. R. Rhodes 6th S.A.I.”
Medals on original silk ribbons and toned.
Memorial Plaque embossed: “SYDNEY RICHARD RHODES”
4 small holes neatly drilled in plaque for mounting, carefully placed to not obstruct the design.
Dick Rhodes was a local man from Natal, who served during the Great War as part of the 6th Regiment of South African Infantry.
A little too young for the Boer War, he had fought in the Zulu Rebellion of 1906 as a Corporal of the Natal Royal Regiment.
His World War 1 enlistment papers state he had “8 Years Service Natal Royal Regiment, Native Rebellion”.
He attested for service during World War 1, on 6th December 1915.
Posted for service in East Africa with the Expeditionary Force under Jan Smuts.
Spent some time as a Pioneer Corporal with the Pioneer Staff, before rejoining his own company at his own request on 16th March 1916.
THE AFFAIR OF MATAMONDO, 10th AUGUST 1916
Early on the 10th August, strong patrols of the 57th and the 3rd K.A.R. advanced on either side of the Matamondo Road, over rough ground covered with high elephant grass, against a line of low hills held by the enemy beyond the Mjona and soon became heavily engaged.
In the hand to hand fighting which ensued 1 of 3 German machine Guns was captured, but the 2 battalions suffered considerable loss and were eventually obliged to fall back, carrying off the captured Machine Gun.
Hannyngton’s 4 Mountain Guns now came into action, and at about 11 am, Major General Brits, with the 5th and 6th South African Infantry under Brigadier General Beves, came on the scene and took command.
These battalions, prolonging the line eastwards, drove in the enemy’s flank, but no decisive result had been gained by nightfall, when the firing died down.
Next Morning (11th), it was found that the German position had been evacuated and the road to the south was now clear.
The enemy, however, having made excellent use of difficult ground affording every advantage for delaying action, had gained an additional day for his withdrawal from elsewhere.”
