DIARIES

3 manuscript diaries dated from 1914 -1918. The first 2 diaries describe his sojourn in South West Africa in detail during the South West African Campaign, and the third (after a gap of 3 years) his time in France. He was a doctor in the South African Medical Corps captured at the Battle of Zandfontein on 26 September 1914. On a transcript of a letter dated 3/3/15 he signs himself L. Austen-Holcroft Captain S.A.M.C .

Book 1 April 1914 – May 1915 is a hard cover notebook with entries written in ink. The front cover of this volume is very worn and torn. There are water stains on several pages.
25/9/1914 We used to get news dished up to us on evening parade by the Baron, and one day we were told on Sept 25th that 5 officers, 68 men and 4 maxims had been taken prisoner from Maritz.
18/12/14 A later report states that a reconnaissance in force of the Luderitzbacht people took place – 5 squadron and machine guns and encountered a German patrol of outpost of 1 officer to 15 men. The English retired in a strong position losing 1 dead, 1 wounded and captured. A German aeroplane – probably the one we saw at Kalkfontein – has been dropping bombs on our people.

Book 2 6 May 1915 – 18 July 1915 has half of the book empty. The covers are also very worn. Some entries are in pencil, others in ink. He has drawn a map of the territory. The front paste down end paper has a photograph of the officers captured at Zandfontein and on the front free end paper a handwritten description in pencil of the names of the Officers captured at Sandfontein 26/9/14 – he is one of them.
Outjo 6/5/15 Cpt Snelgrave arrived this morning from Franzfontien. He says the men have hardly any clothes, they have been well in health till recently when 4 have developed scurvy. 10/5/15 It seems that the Germans are now convinced that their chance in this country is hopeless
17/6/15 Rumours of a big fight at Otarifontein on 15th in which the Germans were defeated. 18/7/15 It seems almost incredible to be going home after all these months, but we expect to get into Table Bay tomorrow night and disembark on Monday morning.

Book 3 10 March1918 – 15 October 1918 is a small a5 paperback which is also half empty. 25/8/18 Much heavy aerial firing all round 29/8/18 Marched to St Michel – 6 miles air thick with aeroplanes
12/11/18 Armistice Day about 11 people began letting off bombs and making an awful row. By hospital train to Sheffield where we were taken to no 3 Northern General Hospital
14/11/18 The last entry - Given 3 weeks unofficial hospital leave. Departed for Devonshire.

Included with the diaries are 14 photographs without captions and a duplicate of one that has his handwritten description on the back - Officers captured at Sandfontein 26/9/14 with their names – he is one of them. Photocopies of these photographs which do have captions. There are also few letters describing his initiation into a group in Outjo - the Black Bert Lodge -where he is instructed to bring a full bottle of rum.

A full typed transcription of the 3 diaries accompanies the originals, bound in a ringback file. At the end of the transcription of each part of the diaries are copies of letters written by Captain Holcroft to the Authorities concerning the insanitary conditions of the British Prisoners of War.

These diaries commence with the following line: This is my diary continued from my pocketbook which along with all my other papers was taken from me by the Germans at Kalkfontein.

William Austen-Holcroft Birthdate:1872 Birthplace Kent, England. Death: August 23, 1932 in Barberton, South Africa Immediate Family: Husband of Iris Georgina Hallam Elton Father of Zoe Iris Jessica Austen-Holcroft and Rhoda Francis Austen-Holcroft Occupation:Doctor https://www.geni.com/people/William-Austen-Holcroft/6000000052674736079

The South African Medical Corps in World War 1:1914 - 1915 The SAMC was established in December 1913, less than a year before it was required to mobilise for the invasion of South West Africa. Regulations and a proposed structure of 14 different units for the new Corps had been published. The existing Colonial units were to be incorporated. 164 Royal Army Medical Corps personnel responsible for British troops still in SA had been expected to assist with training of the new SAMC but they were almost all withdrawn after the War started, leaving behind only Lt Cols Sexton and Buist and 6 others. Lt Col Sexton was soon transferred to Europe.

Major Philip Graham Stock, formerly of the RAMC and more recently attached to the Transvaal Medical Staff Corps (Volunteers) was appointed the first Staff Officer for Medical Services of the SAMC. This was a fortunate appointment and he rapidly built and expanded an effective service. He was then promoted to Lt Colonel and appointed Director of Medical Services (DMS) Senior Reservists of the former Cape, Natal and Transvaal Medical Corps were appointed as ADMSs for the other regions and for the components of the invading forces. On 26th September 1914 a small contingent of SA troops under Lt Col Grant suffered a humiliating defeat at Sandfontein. Attached SAMC personnel under Captains Dalton and Holcroft performed well but were captured and spent the next few months as POWs in GSWA http://samilitaryhistory.org/17/d17aprne.html

The Zandfontein disaster 1914 In September 1914, a British column known as the A Force, under the command of Brig.-General H.T. Lukin, C.M.G., D.S.O., seized the drifts on the Orange River at Homs, Ramans, and Gudaus, and also the Zandfontein wells, prior to a general advance into the hostile territory. On September 25th the wells were garrisoned by a squadron of Police under the command of Capt. E.J. Welby, who had as troop leaders under him Lieuts. Grahame, Cowely, Owen, Gwatkin and Northway. In addition to these officers the detachment included Capt. Turner-Jones, of the Royal Engineers, who arrived on the 24th to report on the defensive capabilities of the position, and Capt. Genry, in command of an Intelligence Staff of ten Europeans and Natives, making a total combatant strength of 120 all ranks. On the evening of the 25th it was decided to reinforce the Zandfontein detachment by despatching a force from Ramans Drift. This force, under the command of Lieut.-Col. R.C. Grant, left the drift at about 6.30 p.m., and was comprised of the following: One section of the Transvaal Horse Artillery of two 13-pounder quickfirers under Lieut. F.M. Adler; one Machine Gun Section of two guns of the Police under Lieut. Butler; three troops of Police under Capt. P.E. Hale, with Lieuts. Scott, Clements and Austin - the fourth troop under Lieut. Allen was detached at the last minute to escort transport which had intended to follow as soon as the wagons were loaded with rations for the force. No Rations were issued to the details of the column before leaving the drift, reliance being placed on the transport being able to keep close up with the advance.

The total strength of this reinforcement was 122, excluding a detachment of the S.A. Medical Corps with a field ambulance in charge of Capt. Holcroft, who accompanied the column on its night march. Capt. Dalton, with several medical orderlies, was already at Zandfontein. Fur further information see: http://www.trenchfighter.com/40117/47501.html