of Lieutenant Edward Whipple Bancroft Morrison. During the mounted charge, a field gun was almost taken, although a hastily organized 12-man ambush led by Lieutenant Richard Ernest William Turner prevented the field gun's capture. Although Morrison was injured, the dragoons were able to repel the charge with assistance from the machine gun on their left flank. The position where the horse-drawn machine gun carriage was placed was then assaulted and eventually taken by the Boers. However, Sergeant Edward James Gibson Holland carried the machine gun off its carriage to prevent its capture, burning his hand on the gun's barrel in the process. During these mounted charges, two of the local Boer commanders, General Joachim Fourie, and Commandant Henry Prinsloo were killed by machine gun fire. Boer General Johann Grobler was also wounded during the engagement. Dragoons under Lieutenant Hampden Zane Churchill Cockburn continued to maintain their positions until the rest of the rearguard withdrew further behind them. However as a result of the action, the dragoons under Holland's command were all captured, killed, or wounded; with Holland also sustaining injuries. Boer assaults on the Canadian positions persisted afterwards, although lacked the organization and momentum from earlier assaults with the loss of their commanders. The two 12-pound field guns were used to fight a rearguard action until the Canadians reached the high ground, after which the Boers halted their attack. Aftermath After the battle, Smith-Dorrien wrote a letter to the British Chief of Staff, commending the successful rearguard action by the Royal Canadian Dragoons as well as Lessard's leadership. In addition to commending Lessard, Smith-Dorrien also recommended to the Chief of Staff awarding the Victoria Cross to four members of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, and another military decoration to Lieutenant Morrison. Three members of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, including Sergeant Holland, Lieutenant Turner, and Lieutenant Cockburn were awarded the Victoria Cross for their actions at Leliefontein. The Royal Canadian Dragoons remains the only Canadian unit where three of its members were awarded the Victoria Cross in a single day. Private W. A. Knisley of the Royal Canadian Dragoons was also recommended for a Victoria Cross by Smith-Dorrien, although Knisley was not awarded the decoration. Lieutenant Morrison was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his actions during the engagement. The two field guns that were involved in the battle are presently held by the Canadian War Museum. Notes References Further reading Greenhous,