[Nov. 25, 1899.
About 7 a.m. the infantry began to work forward under cover of the artillery fire, to assault the isolated kopje upon the left of the Boer position. The Boer right was merely watched by five companies of the Northumberlands; the Yorkshire Light Infantry, marines and seamen of the Naval Brigade, and North Lancashires were concentrated against the kopje. The Naval Brigade led the storming force, extended in a single line, each man six paces apart from his neighbour on either hand. "As the line passed me," writes Colonel Verner, "I noted how each hard, clean-cut face was from time to time anxiously turned towards the directing flank, so as to satisfy each individual that the interval and dressing were properly kept.... No better kept line ever went forward to death or glory." As they began the ascent, advancing by brief rushes in very open order, the hill suddenly appeared to swarm with enemies; from the crest, from behind every boulder, poured a murderous fire. The naval officers of the brigade still carried swords and could be readily distinguished; they were the target of every Boer rifle. "In the breathing time between the rushes of the assailants," says Colonel Verner, "one conspicuous figure was to be seen standing erect, and marking the station taken up by the Naval Brigade. This was their commanding officer, Captain Prothero, R.N., a man of great stature and immense physique, who elected thus to stand leaning on his walking-stick while his men, lying prone, gathered breath for another rush.... Eventually the inevitable occurred and he was seen to drop, happily only wounded and out of action for a time." It was at this point that Commander Ethelston of the Powerful was hit half-a-dozen times and killed, and that Major Plumbe of the Marines, who was gallantly leading in front of his men, closely followed into the storm of battle by his little terrier, staggered, shouting to his superb soldiers not to mind him, but to advance. He never rose again. There too fell Captain Senior, side by side with his field officer. So terrible was the fire, so annihilating its effects upon the Brigade, which had drawn into closer and closer order as the hill steepened and the space narrowed, that the order was given to retire upon the last cover.
[Photo by Symonds.
Of H.M.S. Doris. Wounded in action at the battle of Enslin.
[Photo by Symonds.
Of H.M.S. Powerful. Killed in action at the battle of Enslin.
MARINES OF THE NAVAL BRIGADE WHICH FOUGHT AT ENSLIN.