THE EMERGENCY RATION
Carried by every soldier in his haversack and produced at every inspection. It was the only food available for the men in exposed positions at Magersfontein.
"We got the word to retire," wrote a private of the Black Watch, "and while we were doing so the bullets were flying like hailstones all round us. It was a miracle how I escaped. I got my rifle blown out of my hand, and a bullet through my helmet, and another grazed my leg, taking away a bit of my spat. I never witnessed such a horrible sight in my life. General Wauchope was shot at the beginning when we charged. When he saw the mistake that happened, he said, 'Rally round, Black Watch; it is not my fault,' and fell riddled with bullets. We formed up again, and advanced to about 200 yards from the hill, and lay down and kept up firing."
THE EMERGENCY RATION OPENED, SHOWING CONTENTS.
Edward Read.]