The total losses were about 200, but most deeply deplored by all ranks was the gallant commander, the Earl of Airlie. He was as brave as he was popular, and, like all his famous fighting race, was a soldier _born_, not made. Besides his record of previous service, he had distinguished himself in the Modder River battle, and was twice mentioned in despatches by Lord Methuen. On one of these occasions he made himself notable for the splendid dash with which he dismounted a section of his men and drove back a party of Boers who were enfilading the British force. In May he was wounded in the fighting round Welkom, was nursed to health at Bloemfontein by Lady Airlie, and went again to the front just before the surrender of Pretoria. Two other distinguished officers fell: Major the Hon. L. Fortescue, and Lieutenant the Hon. C. Cavendish, 17th Lancers. Besides those already noted the list of casualties during the various engagements contained the names of:-- _Killed_:--12th Lancers--Lieutenant G. C. de C. Wright. 82nd Battery Royal Field Artillery--Second Lieutenant W. S. Luce. New South Wales Mounted Infantry--Lieutenant Drage. 1st Royal Sussex Regiment--Captain C. J. K. Maguire. City Imperial Volunteers--Lieutenant W. B. L. Alt. _Wounded_:--12th Lancers--Second Lieutenant H. R. Milvain. F Battery Royal Horse Artillery--Captain R. England. Royal Lancaster Regiment Mounted Infantry--Captain J. M. Graham. Indian Staff Corps--Captain E. Barnes. New South Wales Mounted Infantry--Captain W. Holmes, Lieutenant W. R. Harrison. Kitchener's Horse--Lieutenant J. S. Cape. 1st Royal Sussex Regiment--Second Lieutenant G. C. Morphett. 1st Derbyshire--Captain T. H. M. Green, Lieutenant A. S. Murray. 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles--Captain A. C. Macdonald. 8th Hussars--Captain E. A. S. O'Brien. 1st Coldstream Guards--Lieutenant Brett. Royal Army Medical Corps--Major H. G. Hathaway. _Missing_:--12th Lancers--Captain F. Egerton Green. GUARDING THE COMMUNICATIONS--LORDS METHUEN AND KITCHENER While the battle for the Delagoa railway line was being planned, Lord Kitchener, with a small force, pushed south and joined Lord Methuen (whose force was at Heilbron) at Vredefort station on the evening of the 10th of June. Together they decided to hunt the marauders. In passing, it is interesting to note that at this time the following militia corps were doing unostentatious but valuable and perilous service on the lines of communication:--