Â

A Boer apologised to the Regimental Medical Officer for shooting him.

While on reconnaissance north of Chievely, the 14th Hussars came under heavy fire and sustained 25 casualties. One of these was the Regimental Medical Officer, Captain Dalton, who was shot in the stomach while tending to a wounded man. The Medical Officer and stretcher bearers wore brassards (armbands) with the Red Cross on them, which gave them immunity from being fired on. The Boers were always scrupulous about the conventions of war and allowed anyone wearing the Red Cross to come and go unharmed. The Boer who had shot the doctor approached him and apologised, saying that he had not noticed his medical brassard.