The Ross Machine Gun Battery in South Africa?

[Surpmil]

From an old book on the Boer War I've posted a few photos from elsewhere. The gun is a Colt of course, John Browning's first MG in production I believe. Sir Charles Ross paid for a battery of Colt guns which he took to the war as O.C., as the wealthy who raised formations were allowed to do, right up to the start of WWI.

The caption on the second photo is obviously specious; more like a range practice than an ambush. Look at the photo full size and you can see wire repairs to cracks in the wheel spokes; no springs. Also looks like there are some bullet strikes on the gun shield in the other photo. How many of our WWI MG crew would have been saved by a shield like that? Maybe the Russians know, they put them on their Maxims.

The identification of Sir Charles Ross as the figure in the center of the other photo cannot be correct judging by the row of medal ribbons on that man. Sir Charles had only those he earned in that War.

Quite a variety of head gear; those Colonials you know!

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