Sgt James Rogers VC (1).

Victoria sent five contingents to South Africa as well as detachments for the 2nd, 4th and 6th Battalions Australian Commonwealth Horse. In all, over 3500 Victorian officers and men served in the war. Three Victorian soldiers who served in South Africa were awarded the Victoria Cross (VC). Only Lt Leslie Cecil Maygar would still be a member of a Victorian unit, the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles (VMR) when he was awarded the VC. William Thomas Dartnell who also went to South Africa with the 5th VMR would be honoured posthumously in 1915 while serving with the 25th Battalion Royal Fusiliers in East Africa.

My talk today is about James Rogers, the second of these three who received the Victoria Cross as a Sergeant of the South African Constabulary (SAC). (2) He was a member of the first Victorian contingent to South Africa and returned to South Africa in 1902 as an officer of the Australian Commonwealth Horse. In the 1914-1918 War as an officer with the AIF he would see further service where he would be wounded with the Light Horse on Gallipoli.

James Rogers was born on 4 July 1873, at Woodside Farm, Moama which is on the New South Wales side of the Murray River just opposite the Victorian town of Echuca. He was the son of Welsh-born John Rogers, farmer, and his wife Sarah Louisa, nee Johnstone, from Sydney. Rogers was educated locally at state schools. In 1886 his family moved to Heywood in the western district of Victoria, where he later worked on his father's farm and joined the local company of the VMR. In 1899 he was 6 ft. 2 in tall, 12 stone and a superb horseman, tough bushman and crack rifle shot.

When the South African War broke out Rogers enlisted as a private with the 1st Victorian Mounted Infantry Company on 16 October 1899. He disembarked with his unit at Cape Town in November 1899. On 1 May 1900 Rogers was seconded as a corporal to the Provincial Mounted Police, Orange River Colony. When the 1st Victorian Contingent returned to Australia in November he took his discharge in

South Africa and joined the newly formed SAC as a sergeant.

On 15 June 1901 Rogers was serving with No. 6 Troop SAC, commanded by Lieutenant Frank Dickinson. The troop joined a 200-man column of the Royal Irish Rifles which patrolled from Thaba `Nchu (3) to Tabaksberg in search of Boer forces. On the return march, about ten miles north of Hout Nek, the column came under Boer sniper fire. Dickinson with six men, including Rogers, waited in ambush at a kraal while the column returned to camp. They surprised the Boers and then Dickinson withdrew his men to rejoin the column. About two miles from the column about sixty Boers tried to cut the group off. When Dickinson's horse was shot, Rogers despite heavy enemy fire rode back, pulled him up behind him on his horse and carried him out of danger. Rogers returned twice more to rescue two men who had let go of their horses when they had dismounted to fire. He then caught and led back to the firing line two horses, which had escaped from other men.

Lt Dickinson submitted a partial report on the 15 June action to the Senior Officer, SAC, Bloemfontein two days later and followed this report with an expanded version on 20 June: (4)

   Acting on orders received I took 25 men to join Capt Sitwell's (R.I.R.)
   column of 200 men. We proceeded to the Tabaksberg Mountain, intending to
   operate in conjunction with four other little columns the same strength as
   our own. We saw small parties of Boers, but met with no resistance from any
   of these.

   We then started back. When about 10 miles from Hout Nek and due North of
   it, the rearguard, consisting of the SAC were fired upon by a party of 6
   Boers some thousand yards on our left flank. Thinking that if these Boers
   were not dispersed, they would continue to snipe us the whole way back to
   camp (Hout Nek). I took Sergt Rogers and 6 men and we chased them out of
   the kraal from which they were firing. I had posted the remainder of the
   rearguard in a kraal near to cover our advance, which they did with
   success. I then rejoined the main body of the rearguard in their kraal. The
   Boers had retired behind us now, and we could plainly see them tiding about
   on a ridge, not a mile in rear of us. I therefore sent a message to Capt
   Sitwell and obtained permission to hide with 6 men in the kraal to wait for
   these Boers; while the rest of the column, including the 19 rearguard went
   on towards camp. This we did, and the Boers coming up fairly close to us,
   we killed one of their horses.

   As the column was by this time some three miles off, I thought we had
   better overtake them. We had gone one mile from the kraal, and were still
   about two miles behind the main body, when on our right and left flanks up
   galloped two parties of Boers, they were about 60 in number as near as I
   could count. We fired a few shots at about 800 yards range hoping to stop
   them. This did not have the least effect, and ,as there was no cover of any
   sort, and we were hopelessly outnumbered, we were compelled to retire as
   quickly as we could. The Boers on the left flank came up within 400 yards,
   dismounted and opened a very heavy fire. They shot my horse, and as I was a
   little behind the men, I was compelled to run. The men who were nearest to
   me had not noticed this and did not hear me shouting but Sergt Rogers --
   who was right on our right flank, and whose attention had been fully
   occupied by Boers on the right flank, happened to look around and see me
   running. He rode straight for me firing at the Boers as he came, some of
   whom had by this time mounted again and were making for me. His and my
   combined fire checked those last, who dismounted again and started firing
   afresh at 300 yards. Sergt Rogers then carried me for 1/2 mile behind him
   on his horse. He then returned to within 400 yards of the Boers and carried
   away another man of the SAC who had foolishly let go of his horse when he
   dismounted to fire. He then returned again to the same place, and carried
   out another man of the SAC who had done the same thing. He then observed
   two of the Bedford Mounted Infantry running midway between us and the
   Boers: Their horses were galloping towards us, these he caught one by one
   and led to the two men, holding still for the men to mount. I wish to lay
   emphasis on the fact that this was all done under a very heavy rifle fire
   and that he was only covered by the rifle fire of 6 men on our side, which
   was of little use against such a number of Boers. By this time some of the
   main body had ridden back to our assistance and very heavy firing on both
   sides followed. The Boers had by now been reinforced by some 40 or so men
   in our direct rear. We all then fell back, endeavouring to draw the Boers
   on to within range of two 151b guns, posted on Hout Nek. However as it was
   getting dark, the Boers drew off.

   The SAC had one man very slightly wounded, grazed in the forehead by a
   bullet which rendered him unconscious for a short time. This man, Sergt
   McGreggor of No. 9 Troop, lay in a mealie field till dark and then walked
   back to camp, his horse having come in with us. He reports that when we got
   some way off the Boers brought up a mule wagon and placed 15 or 16 men on
   it having lifted them off the ground. He could not see whether these men
   were wounded or dead. The wagon made off in the direction of the
   Korannaberg. Sergt McGreggor got to Hout Nek at 10 o'clock and made his
   report to Capt Sitwell and myself. I consider his story probably true, as
   the firing was very heavy on our side, and the range short.

   I wish to lay special emphasis on Sergt Rogers gallant actions. I consider
   he undoubtedly saved the lives of myself and 4 men. The Boers were
   sufficiently close to him and to call upon him to surrender; the only
   answer he gave was to fire again. I trust that due notice will be taken of
   this. Capt Sitwell is in a position to corroborate most of what I have said
   with regard to him, he having been one of the first of the main body to
   return to our assistance.

The report was signed Frank Dickinson Lt. SAC No. 6 Troop. To the Commandant Thaba `Nchu, Lt-Col B R Hams, Lt Dickinson submitted the following recommendation:

   I wish to draw your attention to the following facts.

   1. That Sergt. Rogers of the SAC, the rearguard of Capt Sitwell's column
   having been unexpectedly attacked by Boers 10 miles N of Hons Nek, did at
   the risk of his life ride back to the spot where Lieut Dickinson's horse
   had been shot and carry Lieut Dickinson out of danger behind him on his
   horse.

   2. That he returned again and carried out another man of the SAC who had
   let go of his horse when dismounting to fire.

   3. That he returned again and did the same for another man of the SAC

   4. That he then caught and led back to the firing line two horses belonging
   to the men of the Bedford M.I. which had escaped.

   All these actions were performed under heavy fire and I cannot speak too
   highly of Sergt. Rogers brave conduct. I consider that there is no doubt
   that, but for him, myself and the four men would have either been killed or
   captured, thus giving 5 rifles and ammunition to the enemy. On two
   occasions the Boers were sufficiently close to Sergt. Rogers to call upon
   him to surrender, he answered by firing on them. I trust you will forward
   this report to the proper quarter and that due recognition will be made of
   Sergt. Rogers brave conduct.

   N.B. Boers numbered about 100 in my opinion.

The recommendation was supported by Capt Sitwell:

   With reference to the attached letter from Lieutenant Dickinson SAC I have
   the honour to endorse his high opinion of the conduct of Sergeant Rogers of
   the same corps. I was in a small force of 200 mounted men, returning from
   the Tabaksberg on 15th instant, when about 10 miles north of Hout Nek, the
   Boers commenced sniping the rearguard but were driven off. Shortly after,
   they again made a push with the apparent intention of cutting off Lieut
   Dickinson and his party and it was during this portion of the retirement
   that Sergeant Rogers performed the acts stated. I was myself a witness of
   the two acts numbered 1 and 4 in Lieut Dickinson's letter, and was
   particularly struck with Sergt Rogers coolness and gallantry.

   In conclusion I would beg to bring this incident to your notice for such
   recognition of his bravery as you may think fit.

Recommendation for the Victoria Cross

Although Lt Dickinston's report and recommendation had been made promptly, the SAC does not seem to have considered the issue until 26 August 1901. The Chief Staff Officer of the SAC noted on the memorandum that called for details of Rogers' actions that `such delay may prejudice claim'. Two weeks later on 10 September 1901 the Chief Staff Officer forwarded the Victoria Cross recommendation to the Adjutant at Army HQ in South Africa. However the recommendation waited until 28 December 1901 when Lord Kitchener C-in-C South Africa forwarded the papers to the Under Secretary of War in London. A note, dated 3 January 1902, on the file at the War Office states that `This seems a doubtful case and Lord Kitchener has not given an opinion. Should it be returned?' Three days later on 6 January the note is endorsed `Returned for favour of Lord K's opinion- Roberts' and the papers were returned to South Africa the following day.

On 21 February 1902 Kitchener's replied that the conduct merited the reward of either The Victoria Cross or Distinguished Conduct Medal. Rogers was awarded the Victoria Cross in The London Gazette 18 April 1902. The award was the 69th of 78 awards for the South African War. The award was the first to the SAC but was the second last awarded before hostilities ended. The last award before hostilities ended was also the last action commended and was the second and only other award to the SAC. It was awarded to a medical officer Arthur Martin Leake who like Rogers would serve in Worlds War One. (5) There were eight awards gazetted after hostilities ended, two were late awards and six were posthumous awards made as a special exception to the policy not to award the Victoria Cross for action for which the recipient being commended was killed. (6) The policy change allowing posthumous awards for future conflicts was not made until 1907. The award to Rogers was nearly 10 months after the action being commended. This was three months longer that the average for South Africa of 7 months (WW1 was 3 months). For the six Australian award the 307 days between action and gazettal was only exceeded by Howse with 315 (Bell was 141, Wylly was 83, Maygar was 80 and the Bisdee the first VC gazetted to an Australian was just 73 days after the action being commended.) Maygar of the 5th VMR was commended for action in November 1901, five months after Rogers's gallantry in June but his award was gazetted in February 1902 two months before Rogers.

Rogers returned to Australia late in 1901 and Dickinson recommended that his gallantry be recognised Rogers was awarded the Victoria Cross on 18 April 1902 having previously been mentioned in dispatches.

A month later he again left for South Africa as a lieutenant with the 6th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse. However, the war had ended and the battalion returned home.

Rogers tried to obtain a commission in the Australian Military Forces but was unsuccessful. He returned to South Africa where he served with the Criminal Investigation Department of the Cape Police until February 1904.

On 25 April 1907, describing himself as a mounted trooper, Roger married Ethel Maud Seldon at Portland, Victoria and they had two sons. By 1912 Rogers was a marker at Williamstown rifle range and by the outbreak of World War I he was a range assistant. On 6 December 1914 he was commissioned in the 3rd Light Horse Brigade Train, Australian Army Service Corps, Australian Imperial Force. He was seriously wounded at Gallipoli on 4 August 1915 and evacuated to Egypt. He then served with the Anzac Provost Corps before returning to Australia on 18 July 1916. His AIF appointment ended on 31 December 1916 but Rogers remained in the Army performing home service duties until the end of the war.

Rogers resumed work at Williamstown as a range assistant, then in 1921 became an assistant storeman, Ordnance Branch, AMF, Victoria. He resigned in 1922 and resumed farming. He retired to Kew in Melbourne in the 1920's where resided with his wife until her death in 1958. In 1956 Rogers and his wife attended the Victoria Cross Centenary Celebrations in London with the Australian contingent. He lived the remainder of his life with his surviving son at Roseville, Sydney. He died in Concord Repatriation Hospital on 28 October 1961, and was cremated with military honours in Melbourne. His name is commemorated on a memorial cairn at Heywood. His Victoria Cross is on permanent display in the Hall of Valour, Australian War Memorial, Canberra.

CERTIFICATE

Criminal Investigation Department
Cape Police District No.3, Cape Town

To whom it may concern

This is to certify that the bearer James Rogers VC has bean employed
in this Department since the 24th of October 1902 as a Special
Detective.

During the time he has been here, he has always been most industrious
and sober, and has performed his duties to the satisfaction of his
Superior Officer.

He leaves the department this 16th day of February 1904 at his own
request.

George Easton, Inspector
for Inspector in Charge
CID CPD3

(1) A Paper Presented to the 2000 Biennial Seminar of the Military Historical Society of Australia 9-12 June 2000

(2) Wigmore, Lionel in collaboration with Harding Bruce They dared mightily, Australian War Memorial 1986 and entry in Volume 11 of the Australian Dictionary of Biography p.441-442.

(3) Thaba N'Chu the `black mountain' pronounced `ta-baan-choo'.

(4) Public Records Office WO32/7476.

(5) In 1914 Martin-Leake would be awarded the first bar to the VC.

(6) However, if someone survived the action but later died or wounds a recommendation would be considered. For example the award to the Hon Frederick Hugh Sherston Roberts who was badly wounded at the Battle of Colenso in 1899 and died several days later.