tion: Kilmarnock, Krugersdorp.]

With the occupation of Kilmarnock by the headquarters of the regiment
arrived the third and last phase of the war. It had begun with four
months' hard fighting, continued with twelve months' hard marching,
and was to end with twelve months of weary escorts to convoys,
occupation of blockhouses, and garrison work generally. It was,
perhaps, in its way, the most trying period of the three, for in
addition to unceasing vigilance there was added the dead monotony of
week after week in the same place, surrounded by the same faces, and
feeding on the same indifferent food. One was buoyed up by the reports
published from time to time of the hauls of prisoners made by the
various columns, but there was always some pessimist handy to discount
one's hopes, and even though the result proved their dismal croakings
more or less correct, they might have had the grace, even if they had
not the common sense, to keep their miserable opinions to themselves.
Thank goodness there were not many of these gentlemen in the regiment.
Throughout the war I only heard one man grumble sulkily, and only
heard of one man who paid too great a regard to the use of cover. The
high tone with which the war had been entered upon was maintained to
the very end, and if the regimental officer came out of it with
credit, the N.C.O. and private soldier did every bit as well.
Hardship, fatigue, stress of weather--everything was accepted as part
of the general day's work, and as such cheerfully met and thoroughly
done.

Lieutenants B. Maclear and J. P. B. Robinson joined about this time,
the former a brother of Percy Maclear, Adjutant of the 1st Battalion.

In spite of all the work, however, time was yet found for a certain
amount of play, the exercise of which was very beneficial. Cricket
matches were played against the town, the S.A.C., and amongst ourselves,
and later on football matches against the town and other regiments. We
proved more successful at the latter game than the former: not to be
wondered at, seeing that two of our officers--Lieutenants Maclear and
Newton--were later on to become International three-quarter backs, the
former playing for Ireland and the latter for England.

Lieutenant Knox joined on March 23rd, having been detained nine months
through illness on the way up.

In March, Major-General Mildmay Willson, a Guardsman, took over from
Colonel Groves the command, which now became 'the District West of