George Jones personal account

The FOLLOWING Boer War Letters of Colour Sergeant George Jones DCM Leicestershire regiment (17th foot) researched, transcribed and compiled by Alyson Spencer, Mark Jones and Malcolm Barnfield. With George in the photograph is his wife Florrie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreword

Born in April 1870 at Bradford, Yorkshire, England, George Jones was the son of a machine broker to the wool trade. He enlisted into the Leicestershire Regiment (17th Foot), ‘The Tigers’ at the age of eighteen and retired from the regiment 23 years later on June 12th, 1911 with the rank of Colour Sergeant and the Distinguished Conduct Medal. These dates have been established from the engraving on a Tantalus presented to him by the regiment on his retirement. The Tantalus is still in the family as are his medals which are illustrated later. Ever the professional soldier George’s military service did not end in 1911 as he was called back to service in the First World War and served throughout that conflict. However this booklet deals only with his letters from Barbados and South Africa to his brother Fred and a couple of letters from his later posting in India.

Although he seems to have come from a relatively comfortable background he was perhaps not well educated or did not have a recognised qualification as he discusses his Army 2nd class educational certificate for promotion reasons, however his use of English is very good.

He gives an honest and accurate account of the events as they unfolded, as seen through the eyes of an NCO.

The letters deal with the period between January 24th, 1889 till August 17th, 1905. They are kept by Alyson Spencer, his great niece and are now in very fragile condition thus only the transcriptions are presented here. In the letters George graphically describes conditions and tactics experienced during and after the Siege of Ladysmith and the later campaigns against the Boers. The style is very pragmatic and rather formal but indicates the etiquette of the period. Upon being severely wounded he does not tell his family much and they are informed of the incident by a close soldier friend of George’s. This indicating the strong and stoic character of the man. His service record is currently being investigated at the Public Records Office, Kew, London and will be included in a later edition of this booklet.

All is recorded faithfully as written. One map is modern and the roads shown on it may have existed at that time but were gravel bush tracks. Prices, weights and measures are all given in the Imperial Standard.

We would like to thank Paul Naish of Colonial Battlefields, John Sutton and Brian Kaighin, also George Boss, Curator of the Royal Anglian Regiment Museum, Anthony Swallow of the Royal Tigers’ Association and Martin Boswell of the Imperial War Museum for their keen enthusiasm, factual verification and photographic input, all so freely given.

AS, MJ & MB

***

Ireland is Bermuda

24th Jan/89

Dear Brother,

I now take the time to write a few lines hoping you are quite well as I am now. You would be surprised to see my last letter, and must know there was something the matter with me. The idea, I don’t know what put it into my head to ask for Toffey but you must excuse me as I was in ‘The Rats’. I had to go in hospital just before the examination at school so I could get my second class certificate this time.

You must send me the number in Clayton Lane when you remove so I can write to father.

I trust he is getting on well and finding plenty of work. I should like a Bradford paper if you would be so kind as to send me one.

I have not got any further than private yet and shall not do till I get a second class certificate and I am young yet. The Principal Medical Officer thinks that I am under age and often says to me, tell me your proper age it does not matter but he can get nothing else but ‘nearly 19 sir’.

How is Annie getting on and does she like her new work. Give my respects to Will Parker and Dick Hitchen. I think he had not enlisted yet.

I hope you had a Merry Christmas and wish you a happy New Year.

From your Affectionate Brother

George

 

Barbados . W. I.

7th Sept. 1894

Dear Brother,

I now take pleasure of writing a few lines to you in answer to your last. I am very pleased to hear that you are all well and that my nephew has come into the world. I feel awfully old though. As soon as I received your letter I went and drank the little chaps health. Wait till I come home. I’ll smack his young er- er- limbs. I’ll give him socks for making me uncle, the young scamp, how dare he do it? At his age too.

Anyhow I was much pleased to hear the news and I must congratulate you old chap. I don’t suppose I shall ever be in your position, it must feel funny I should think.

I am very glad to hear that Sarah Ann is going on well, and you must give her my best wishes for her and the boy. By the way, What are you going to call him? I am late though I suppose he is already named. You did not tell me. I saw an account of the match, Yorks’ v Lancs’ in the paper. Peels Benefit. I should think you would see some good cricket. Was it not a bumper of a benefit though?

Surprising. The regiment are playing a team for the Barbados Cup. They have won 3 matches out of 4 so far including what was supposed to be the 2nd best team on the Island. ‘Viz ‘Wanderers’. On the 15th we play the best team ‘The Pickwicks’. I played against Wanderers but did not score. I went in the eighth wicket & was not out. You were mistaken in thinking I was not yet made Lce Segt, I have been Lce Segt, a good while now and dated back to last February. So you see I am still going on. I have said all about this time I think so I will say Ta-ta. Give my love to Sarah Ann & a kiss to the youngster of whom I already feel as proud as a prince without seeing him.

From your Affectionate Brother

George

***

The 1st Battalion Leicester Regiment was in Natal by September 1899 and served throughout the war in South Africa. They were at Dundee when war broke out and later fought at Elandslaagte. They were with the besieged forces under Lieutenant Colonel G.D. Carleton and Captain H.L. Croker with 22 officers, 970 men and 37 attendants complete with 114 horses and 156 mules. Casualties to the end of the siege were listed as 2 killed, 20 wounded, 2 died of wounds and 42 died of disease.

On 9^th January 1899 the mounted infantry company, 1^st Battalion under Captain Sherer, marched to Nottingham Road to encamp and to avoid horse sickness.

On the 25^th January the arrival of a draft from England brought the strength up to 1026 exclusive of officers.

At midnight on 24^th September the 1^st Battalion proceeded by rail to Glencoe en route to Dundee with Lieutenant Colonel Carleton commanding.

On the relief of the garrison the battalion served under Sir Redvers Buller, seeing action at Amersfort and Bergendal. They continued to serve throughout the guerrilla phase undertaking ‘sweeps’, guarding convoys and supply depots. Towards the end they were dispersed among the Blockhouses.

The Leicester Regiment became the 4th Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment in 1964 and was finally disbanded in 1970 after 282 years service.

***

Ladysmith 7.3.00

Dear Brother

I recd your kind letter and present yesterday for which please accept my thanks. Glad to hear that everything is going well at home and I have so much to say that I don’t know how to start it. I know I shall forget three parts of it until the mail has gone, then I shall suddenly remember.

My news will be old as I have been shut off from the world for so long but you will like to have it from myself I suppose.

Well to start with Dundee. We had a shake up on the 20th Oct. when a shell from the enemy pitched into camp. The first shot fired in anger. It burst short us but the next went straight over our camp. Whistle! Shriek!! My God I could almost feel the wind. The troops seized their rifles and scooted under the cover of a small kopje (hill) where they were formed up for action. I was nearly last out of my tent. The Coy had gone. I picked up a couple of spare rifles & bolted like the very devil until I came up with Lieut Challenor an old cricket chum who was walking calmly off. That put me alright at once & we walked off together talking & the shells falling all around us.

I was very excited but I pulled myself together & said George my boy this wont do and after that I was busy getting the Company ready for anything that might occur.

The general ordered an advance of the R.A. the Cavalry & three Battns of Infantry, the Dublin Fusiliers & K R Rifles. We were escort to the guns. Our batteries knocked smoke out of them & in ten minutes all their guns were out of action. The second shell from us bursting a Boer gun and killing every man around it.

The infantry then advanced on their position which was on the Talani Hill a very steep hill covered with boulders. The Leicesters being told off to guard the flank.

The firing was incessant for about 6 hours when the position was carried. Our Regt did not fire a shot. We were waiting for the result & chafing because we were not there & we could have slaughtered the remainder with the R.A. Cavalry & Mounted infantry, who had got round the flanks but we were stopped by someone in command who said it would not be human. One pitiful story is told about an old Boer, who, when the Dublins were charging the position cut his own throat. When asked about it he pointed to two young lads lying dead against him and said we were forced to fight. ‘These are my two sons’

Poor devil.

For the funny side. Here is a good one. When the Boer shells were bursting on our camp, a man pulled his chum forcibly into the tent with the words ‘Come inside you silly B- – - – you’ll get hit.

The news came into camp that another Boer Commando very strong, were advancing on us from the NW and so they were. They got into position on Impate Mountain but they were a day too late. Had they arrived in time for the fight the first day as they intended they would have smashed us up.

We struck our tents to lessen the target & cleared out of the camp taking up a position to check them if they tried a further advance.

They shelled us with their long guns while our guns could not touch them.

Our Coy was sent out to the front and although we were widely exposed. It was not too pleasant with a 94lb shell hurtling overhead and now bursting short sending up clouds of dust & cutting holes in the ground deep enough to bury a man in.

We left the Camp for a better position a mile or so in rear & stayed there for a couple of days.

We had no kit only what we stood up in. We were dripping wet, laying down to sleep and dripping wet when we awoke in the morning to a Reveille of Boer guns.

We got an order from General White at Ladysmith to retire on to that place if possible. We sent the wagons into camp for rations and at night about 11pm we started for Ladysmith.

We marched right out under the Boer position without being discovered. We went a round about way directed by a Colonial Guide & when the Boers shelled our late position, which they did for about 7 hours next day we were about 16 miles away. It was a lark.

The march from Dundee, I shall never forget it if I live to be a hundred. Horrible! We had to go round to avoid the Boers between us and Ladysmith & altogether I should guess the distance would be about 80 miles but we had a large transport & we had several times to help them out of the mud when they got stuck so that in many cases we did not travel more than one mile in the hour. We went doggedly on, expecting to be attacked every hour. Baked by the sun one hour, drenched by rain the next. Day after day. Night after night little rest, only half fed, tired & sleepy. Up to the very knees in mud sometimes over the knees. Falling asleep in the ranks until we bumped against the next man when we would wake up with a start, then asleep again. When we got a halt it was only for two minutes. Officers and men dropped down in the mud as if it were a feather bed & went to sleep.

The last day I remember well. We heard that the Boers were in pursuit so we started about 4am. Marched until 10. Had a short rest & started again for Eland Laagte another four miles (Where the Ladysmith garrison had fought the previous day to clear the way for us.) Got orders to start again at 3pm & marched to within 6 miles of Ladysmith to a British Camp where we expected to get refreshments. We did not get them though as they never thought it possible to get in that day as there was no camp for us there. The Colonel asked us if we would stop there or go on to Ladysmith. He did not like to order us to do so as we had done so much. Go on they cried, and on we went. I think they wanted to test to the full their powers of endurance.

We landed in Ladysmith (Our Regt first) at 7am after being on the move for 27 hours with about 4 hours rest.

We were inspected by General White who complimented us. We were dead beat though, dripping wet through, & covered to the neck in mud.

Thus was completed one of the finest marches ever made in my opinion by the British or any other army, though there is not much said about it.

We were told that we should get a weeks rest but on the night of the 29th we were ordered out to check the Boers advance. We marched a few miles and at dawn there started such a row as if all the devils hell were let loose. Every kind of gun you could mention distributing death all round. We were under a small hill for some time then we were ordered into the firing line. I saw our Maxim Gun go out escorted by a Company of ours. They were shelled by the Boer Long Tom. It was marvellous how so few were killed. Their shells burst right amongst them. I was ordered to take 1/2 my company on to a small hill in front. This was my first time under rifle fire and such a fire. I expected to go down every second. When we got into position we simply had to lay down stick the fire & return it. It was not too pleasant, bullets hissing and spitting just in front & now humming overhead.

We cleared the hill in our front & then an Officer of the Rifles jumped up to the front & shouted ‘Come on Rifles’ our Officer followed suit with ‘Come on Leicesters’ & on we went like devils.

When they saw us advancing didn’t they just pepper us something chronic. I was next to a rifleman & we both fell together. I had twisted my ankle in the crevice of a rock. The rifleman never rose again.

We got on the hill and stayed there till four in the afternoon. Then we got an order to retire which we did on to Ladysmith. Accompanied by the big guns all the way. The object of the day was to check their advance & the General said it was a success. Our Regt. lost only 4 killed and 17 wounded.

And now comes the worst part of all – - The Siege – - The enemy cut off our communication with Colenso & surrounded us, taking up positions on all the surrounding hills. Day after day they were pitching shells into Camp and Town. We made a couple of sorties & blew up two or three of their guns. They tried to get in two or three times but they found a harder nut than they could crack. They tried starving us out & my word they nearly did it. Buller was just in time. We were getting very short of food. Today is the first day I have tasted proper bread for six weeks. We were put on half rations and then quarter rations which consisted of 1/4lb of hard biscuit & 1/4lb of mealies or what you call Indian Corn & horseflesh or mule. I shot a couple of Boer mules one day, when on outpost duty & sent the patrols out at night to cut them up. We had a fine feed next day. The water was just water and – - -? Mud. I have seen a bucket of water put to stand for an hour & when the water has been poured off there has been 4 inches of solid mud in the bottom. We got filtered water afterwards but we had a limited supply two quarts a day. We were on outpost duty every other day. Up at 2.30 every morning & working at night building breastwork &c. Our Reg. got complimented by the General for that. Men were taken sick with fever and dysentery, going sick 20 or 30 at a time. Men got so weak it was pitiful to see. I am one of the very few in the Reg. who have not been sick. I am the only Cr Sgt of the nine that we have got, so I have been very lucky. We had a terrible time lying wet through in the breastwork for hours at a time & getting shot at as we moved about.

All this time of course we had no tents in fact since the 20th Oct we have been living like rats among the rocks. A rock for a pillow & the sky for a roof & we had to make ourselves comfortable. All right wasn’t it.

We ran out of everything in Camp & then we cleared the Town out. Things got so dear at the finish that a soldier could not buy them. Here is a price list of a few articles.

Tin of condensed milk £11. 0. 0; Jam £1. 5. 0; 1/4 cake of tobacco £1. 15. 0; Tin of Capstan £3. 0. 0 ;1 bottle whisky £10. 0. 0

1 vegetable marrow   £18. 0.

A box of matches cost 1/-. Bread or biscuits it was impossible to get.

The troops got gradually worse. The medicine ran out at Hospital. We were half starved, no exercise. Dysentery & fever raging. We could scarcely crawl to the outpost where we had to stop for 24 hours & when it rained, which it did sometimes for days together it was downright disgusting, miserable.

We got orders, if attacked to fight to the last man & were told that the command ‘retire’ would not be used.

The enemy made a determined attack on the 6th Jan. on the S.side of L.smith (Caesar’s Camp) & on the N.W. side where we were. They were driven from our side but on the other there was some hard fighting. The Devon Regt at last gave them the bayonet & tumbled them down the hill. They lost a considerable number but as usual they would not own up to it. I’ll bet that if their men knew the amount of their losses during the war they would throw up the sponge but they are kept in ignorance.

Then came the time when we could see Bullers shells pitching on their positions and we thought we should be relieved in a couple of days or so but no fear. Buller’s column fought splendidly I believe but they could not get in. The Boers had made their positions inpregnable with works and as fast as they were driven from one position they had another as good in the rear. An Officer describes it thus:- ‘We had 17 days continuous fighting. The Boer positions were like a flight of steps with the face of each step like Gibralter. If we had their positions the world could not have driven us back out of them’.

Buller took several of them but had to go back at the finish & try somewhere else and at last after days of fighting he landed & relieved us and what a relief it was.

People were cheering and cheering again while some were actually crying with joy & everybody seemed mad for a time.

The next day we went out to inspect the vacated Boer positions in front. For several days I had spotted a sniper taking pot shots at us from behind some rocks 1100 yds away. I used to get someone spotting with the field glasses while I returned the fire. I silenced him on several occasions. I went to see the place where he used to be & found the rock behind which he used to lie fairly spattered with bullets while a tree about 2 feet to the right was fairly split in pieces, so I had not made bad practice. I made him duck several times for his very life.

We have had a good time since we were relieved, nothing to do only rest and it will take a lot of that to knock us up, good grub, plenty of tobacco (presents from people at home) & in a few days time we are going down to Colenso to recoup our health before we go to the front again.

It would be next to impossible for us to march even 4 or 5 miles now, and before the siege we were reckoned one of the best trained Regts in the service, along with the Dublins, R.I.R & Fusiliers.

Well Fred, I think I had better come to an end or I shall tire you out. You had better send this letter round. It would be too much for me to write another like this.

I am going on A1 at present.

Whether there will be any after effects or not I can’t say but I hope not.

I should like to go up to the front again shortly as we have not seen much actual fighting. It was not our luck but we had our part set us and I think we played it to perfection. We have had more than our fair share of hard times and Boer shells.

I was very pleased to receive the photo of Sarah Ann very much. She has a nice face but I should not have known her. Somehow I expected to see her as she looked when I last saw her. I did not realise the time I have been away. You yourself look very young and well preserved different to your weather beaten brother. No one would take you to be my senior.

I will send you a photo when I get my medal so you will be able to see.

The youngsters look very well too. The girl Millah looks a pretty little thing & George looks like a young scamp. Can he fight?

Let Father & Annie see this letter as soon as you can. Father will be getting anxious not having news.

I did not get a letter from Father this time. Please let me know how he is situated and all about him. Is he comfortable &c.

I have had letters from Annie and she does not seem to have altered a bit since she was married. She seems to have very good spirits.

There I think that’s about all this time. So I will conclude with best love to Sarah Ann & family, to Father, Annie Aunt Betty & cousins & all.

Best respects to friends & once more thanking you for your kind thoughts of me & for the pipe and photo. I remain

 Your Affectionate Brother George

PS. I see you are not at Brook now. What are you doing. Have they given up the business? Please write again as soon as possible.

GJ

***

 

Ladysmith 4.5.00

Dear Fred,

Just a line to let you know that I am still O.K. We are still in Ladysmith. We can not get rid of it. I am sick of the sight of the place, after the lively time we had here & anyone that can imagine what we went through would not wonder at it. We did leave for Colenso, stayed there a couple of weeks and then back to the old spot. We are situated about 5 miles from the Town on a position lately occupied by the Boers, viz Lombards Kop.

We are constantly on outpost duty two nights on & two off. That means of course that after two nights off you get two nights without sleep. When we go on duty we have to climb up the Kop, almost a mountain & it knocks the stuffing out of one completely. We are about 17 miles in rear of Buller’s Force at the front. So there is no chance of getting into anything. No luck.

I am fit now as ever I was, I think & I would like to go and have a roll in.

I would volunteer for an exchange- if there was a chance- to go up to the front. Everybody seems to be inactive at present. I don’t know what is in the wind. That there is a deep move on is the strong opinion of the people here and we are all anxiously awaiting for it to come off. I am getting about tired of continual outpost duty. It is worse than fighting, ten thousand times worse. I would be very pleased to hear that it was all finished but I would like just one more fight for satisfaction. Our Regt has had very bad luck . We have only seen one real engagement that is anything to speak of, & before the siege we were, I should say, one of the fittest Regts in the service, pure bad luck. We are likely to stay here for some time so the sooner it is all over the better.

You don’t seem to know that I have been Colour Sergt. Since last June. You address all my letters Sergt. Yes, I am Cr. Sgt of B Coy and my company has been very lucky indeed. We have only had one killed & four wounded and a Sergt and about ten died of fever and dysentery.

I have been very busy for the last two months. We sent in no accounts from Sept to March so I had for a start -after the siege- to make up 6 months accounts for over a hundred men & that is no small undertaking I can tell you, especially being a young hand at the business. I have no news to tell you at all. All is very slack at present so I have nothing to startle you with.

I would like to have a letter from Father but I suppose he is waiting for me to write to him direct. Anyhow I will write next mail & see if I can get an answer from him. I have been looking for a letter every mail and I hope I shall soon have one from you again.

There is some talk of us going home after the War. I hope it is correct. I think I am getting home sick. I should like to see the White Cliffs of the old place again. The White Cliffs I have not seen, by the way, as there were not many in Liverpool Docks where we sailed from.

I shall have been out twelve years in Sept next. Quite long enough. What do you think? Wouldn’t it be a treat to be home by say August Bank Holiday. We would have some high old times together. I only hope it is true.

Well I have nothing fresh to tell you so I will conclude with love to Sarah Ann & Family, Annie, Father, Aunt & Yourself.

Give best regards to any inquiring friends.

Yours affectionately

George

Coetzes Drift Transvaal 3.6.00

Dear Brother,

I am just writing a line to let you know that I am in the land of the living & going strong.

We entered the Transvaal Territory on 30th May last by crossing the Buffalo River. Our advance guard of Cavalry met a small party of the enemy who made off after a few shots had been exchanged. The infantry did not come into action. Since then we have seen no enemy whatever. Since the 30th we have been marching up the Buffalo. We are now twelve miles from Majuba Hill to the S.E. on the Transvaal side of the river. We started our advance from this side Ladysmith and we have been continually marching, day after day. Sometimes 10 miles only, othertimes 15, 17, or 18. We had very bad roads and at times had to go cross country. Our tents were taken away from us on a/c of therebeing insufficient transport. We bivouack at nights and it is bitter cold. Of course it is winter here and it is surprising how intense the cold is at morning and night considering that in the day the sun is hot enough to burn your eyes out.

The troops seem to like it however. I know I do now we have got into enemy country. The only drawback is that we never get a hot meal. Bully beef and hard biscuits every day. One good thing we get some splendid water here & it’s a treat I can tell you after a march to get it & drink to your hearts content. I never knew the value of it until we were shut up in Ladysmith & got mud in lieu.

We had a good laugh the other day. We came to a Dutchman’s Farm which had been hastily vacated. We got orders that there was to be no looting but that anything eatable could be taken. Well there was a great number of pigs in the yard. They were turned loose in the veldt. Then started a chase. Every possible weapon was employed, lances, knives, swords, bayonets. Every branch of the service was represented in the chase. Hussars, Lancers, Artillery, Highlanders, Fusiliers & everybody. The veldt is covered with large ant heaps and ant bear holes & it was the best fun in the world to see the Troops falling over or into these. Officers and Men alike. Then came the roast pork. Fires were lit in scores and a savoury smell hung about the camp for hours. Roast pig, boiled pig, fried pig, & in fact every possible shape it could……..

The balance of this letter is missing

Coetzes Drift Transvaal 10th June ’00

Dear Fred,

I am still in the same place I wrote my last letter from.

The enemy engaging Gen Buller is about 12 miles from here. We have been resting. Nothing done all the week. I have no news for you. You get news sooner than we do here within a few miles of the battle field. I have not seen a paper for a fortnight. We are in such an out of the way place.

The railway runs alongside but we have had no trains up until yesterday. They have been repairing the bridges and culverts destroyed by the Boers. Anyhow the first train came up yesterday & we shall soon be able to get some things up now. We want them. We are a neat looking lot. Some with no boots, others without helmets & scores with the backside of their trousers “non est”.

We are having things pretty easy at present. We go on outpost about every 4th day. We have one parade daily that’s all.

We should be very comfortable but for the cold. The blankets (two) are so thin with 9 months wear that they are scarcely any use. We are expecting the end very shortly now (I don’t know what you think at home) & I think we shall be glad when it arrives.

I am sending £10 will you distribute it for me. I want to give £5 to Father to have a holiday with. £3 to go for Annie a wedding present which you can get for her & £2 for presents for young George & Millah

Will you do this for me. I am sending chocolate to you. Give best love to all.

Your Affectionate Brother.

George

Sand Spruit Transvaal 11.07.00

Dear Brother,

Just a line or two to let you know that I am still alive and kicking, going strong.

We left Coetsees drift for Ingogo (- Natals.) We had our tents there and everything fairly comfortable for a week or so. We then got the order (our Regt only) to move to this place Szandspruit or in English; Sand stream. It is nothing but a small station, no houses except scattered farms etc.

We had a very interesting march- 10 miles- the first day. We went via Laing’s Nek and had a very stiff climb I can tell you. We passed by the very foot of Majuba Hill, saw the house where the Peace Proclamation was signed in the ’81 war, and the Laing’s Nek tunnel blown up by the Boers in their retreat. It was in working order when we saw it and trains going through.

We bivouacked on the Nek the first night and had rain, the first for a month or two. The next day we covered 20 miles. We passed through Charlestown, it is not much of a place, of no interest except it is the border town of Natal. About 30 or 40 houses is all the town. We also passed Volksrust, the Transvaal border town. That was a bit better, the town was occupied mostly by soldiers -Charlestown was deserted-. We actually saw some females, the troops were surprised there’s a woman. There’s another, they were shouting as they caught sight of a Dutch vrouw in her great bonnet, something like the pictures of milkmaids you see at home. We arrived at Sandspruit and bivouacked again.

Next morning what a change. Instead of a fairly decent temperature we had a strong frost. The ground was white as snow, the water was an inch thick with ice. We woke up chilled to the very bones. This mind you in Sunny Africa.

The enemy have been round here lately in small parties, and we expect them every day to try and get at the line to cut our communications. We stand to arms at daybreak in case of an attack.

We are attached to General Hilyards Brigade now. He has formed a flying column in chase of Gen de Wet. That is the reason we had to come up here. We are the nearest infantry Regt. to the enemy and any that were in the siege and we expect to be engaged at any time.

Why only the other day there was fighting at Perdekop, five miles from here. Our Regt. sent two companies on to Standerton with two Naval 12 pounder guns yesterday, where they are to remain for the present.

We shall see Pretoria yet. It’s a treat to see white flags on every farm house up the line and people appear to be very quiet, but they give information to the enemy even now.

The other day the station master here was caught sending information to the enemy. He was promptly made prisoner and sent on to Gen. Buller at Standerton.

That’s about all this time from this end, how about you, How are you all going on? I hope well.

Give my love to Sarah Ann, Annie and Father and to the family, young George and Millah.

I should very much like to be with you again and I hope we are booked home on the conclusion of the war.

Give love to all friends and accept the same.

From

Your Affectionate Brother

George

Lydenburg Transvaal 11.09.00

Dear Brother,

We have just heard that our last home mail has been taken by the Boers, so I don’t know whether you have got my last letters or not, dated about the middle of August. Anyhow if you don’t get it I shall have to tell you all about that later on.

We have had some experiences since we left Sandspruit. We have just finished our “great trek” having completed about 200 miles. We have been pursuing the enemy from place to place, day after day, coming into contact with them.

We have had some little fighting, being in at the taking of Amersfoort, Ermelo, Machadadorp-Kruger’s capital-and Lydenburg.

Our brigade, the eighth, is stopping here at present, and a good job too. I got bootless at the last march and had to march in slippers, no boots being obtainable. I have got none yet, my slippers are done now, so if we move I shall have to put my putties round my feet or else some rags. I shall be there though.

We have been on 3/4 rations for some time now on account of not being able to take much transport up this country which is very mountainous.

Today we started on half rations. The convoy (expected last night) not having arrived yet.

There is rumour again the we are kept here ready for going down the line to prepare for home or India. I wonder which it is? Hope it is home. I should like a rest. The nearest place to here on the railway is Machadadorp, about 40 miles and very rough country, that is the reason we are short of rations and boots too. I cant say much for the Transvaal towns at present. Amersfoort and Machadadorp being particularly insignificant especially the latter. It is a dirty little pokey hole just fit for Kruger’s capital, Ermelo and Lydenburg are pretty fair though, but they are villages compared to the towns in old Yorkshire.

The night we arrived in Amersfoort we could not get our transport in so we had to do without blankets or food. In the morning we were sniped at by the Boers as we stood on parade.

At a place called Badfontein, our camp was shelled by the Boer Long Toms and we had to move at the double. Our Regt. and the Rifles were ordered to attack, they were on a mountain and we attacked their flank. It took us over two hours of stiff climbing to get to the top and when we got there, they had taken off their gun and retired. We came up with the last of them and gave them snuff, but darkness came on, so we had to let them go.

On coming into Lydenburg, we had just got formed up after the march and the transport coming in, when we were suddenly shelled again. The Boers with three guns being on a large hill about seven miles off. They got the gauge to a nicety and didn’t they pepper us. One shrapnel burst immediately above our regt which was standing in column. I was talking to two sergeants of my Coy. When the bullets came down. It was just the same as a pepper pot sprinkling from above us, hundreds of bullets spattering about us.

There were about 900 on parade, and a most marvelous thing, only three were wounded, the shell bursting the least thing to high caused the bullets to spread to much.

The “Gordons” got one into their Regt which killed five and wounded fifteen besides narrow escapes. I saw one man who got the heel of his boot shot off.

In the engagement at Badfontain a man in my Coy. had a bullet through his helmet and was untouched otherwise. We have had several casualties in the regt about, roughly 15 wounded and 5 killed. We have been very lucky. In one place our company had to go on outpost very close to the Boer position and in crossing over a ridge we got it properly. We had to go over two or three at a time and we had to run the gauntlet, and like the D…….. We could not show our heads unless we got a shot, and the worst of was they never gave us the least bit of a chance to see them. They stuck like rabbits in a hole, too scared to show a hair.

One of our Coy (a Bradford man) got killed while going from one section to another.

The Boers would not let us approach the dead or wounded that day. If they saw anyone going to help a wounded man, they fairly peppered the ground all round. We got some out in spite of them but in one case it would have been suicidal to attempt it.

I think we shall be stopping here until the end of the war, which will not be long now. They considered this their first strong hold; but they did not hold it long. They’re off! With Buller at their heels.

Everyone seems to be getting tired of it now and wish it was over. It is too long.

We are getting hungry again now. I am like a tramps dog: all legs and ribs. Once round a match, twice round a Jones. I don’t know how I am going to solve the problem of making the remainder of my rations pan out, 2 meals (one biscuit and about 4 ozs of bully) how would you like it? It would be a better goodwife than a Yorkshire woman to do it I think. Ask Sarah Ann.

Never mind. Better days in store. If I can only get home, if it was only for a short time, I would not care a straw. I am in excellent health and this morning I feel A1. Just like the air at home is the air you get up here on these hills. What price a week at B……?

I am very glad that you are all O.K. (with the exception of Millah who I was very sorry to hear ill last time you wrote.) I expect she will be better by this though. Very sorry indeed to hear of the death of Aunt Betty, very sorry. She was very good to me always. I hoped to see her again when I came home.

Tell Father that if there is any possible chance of getting home, (on furlough if the Regt does not come home) that I shall come. I have got money enough-thanks to the war-and I mean to have one at all costs.

Give my love to Father and Annie and Ellis. To cousin Hannah, Priscilla and Lydia Anne and by the way do you ever hear of the Berrys now? Hows Mary Ann and her sister. If you ever do see them at all mention me and give my love to them. Give my love to young George and Milla and yourself-Sarah Ann please accept the same.

From your Affectionate Brother

George

Lydenburg 21st Sept ’00

Dear Fred,

Just a few lines to let you know that I am still O.K., I like to keep you posted as to our movements. We are now on the N.E. side of Lydenburg about 8 miles from the town. We came here yesterday to relieve a division who have gone on to form Buller’s Force.

We are on a great hill overlooking the country all round for miles. It is very pleasant up here, nice air etc. Just before we got here yesterday, four men of the 19th Hussars got out to the front to occupy a small post, which they had been in order of doing for several days.

The Boers were there first and waited (It was about 2-300 yards from our position) when the Hussars got to the top they were met with the words “Hands up” They were about 6 yds off. The corporal in command said “Ikona” (a kaffir word meaning no) and they made a dash for it. One got away all right, one killed, shot in the eye, two wounded.

The Boers took all money, food and everything away from the wounded took their waterbottles and kicked their haversacks to where they could not crawl to them. Beastly shame. The other day we had some Boer prisoners, dining and drinking with our officers, and still that is the way we get our charge if we are lucky enough to fall into their hands.

I have got no boots yet. We did a march yesterday about 12 miles all told up to this point. The ground is very rough, and I had to march in slippers and they are nearly worn out now.

We are still on 3/4 rations, have to go hungry many a time, but still we are not doing to bad. Cant grumble on the whole, have seen no fighting at all since my last letter. There are small parties of the enemy about the place, hiding in the gullies, waiting for some unsuspecting scout who happens to go their way. It is murder nothing less.

Their main body will not stand to fight, for the last month scooted every time they have seen us really coming for their stuffing.

Well I have no news for you so will conclude with love for Sarah Ann, the kiddies Annie father and all. Hope you are all in good health, I am in Splendid from.

Yours Affectionately

George

Middelburg 21st Nov. 1900

 

Dear Brother,

I received your letter all right, glad to hear you’ve got into your business, hope you do well and let me know how you go on. I am going on all O.K. as usual. We are doing fairly well now in all respects. We had a reconaissance in force from here last week formed of cavalry, Artillery and 1000 men of of Leicesters and Rifles. Marched 70 odd miles in five days we were out. Very little fighting, all done by the guns, no infantry in action. Smith Donieu’s column was working in conjunction with ours, he found them (the Boers) at a village called Witpoort, drove them out and we came in on their flank and gave them a severe shaking with the 5 inch gun. Our column had no casualties. The women of Witpoort, I have heard, fired on Donieu’s rear guard as he was leaving. He returned and burnt every house in the village.

The Boers retaliated, day before yesterday, attacked Balmoral-a small garrison-in force. They were fighting nearly all day. The garrison was very hard pressed. We sent two columns from here to reinforce and they were eventually beaten off. I believe we had heavy casualties, but do not know for certain.

That’s all the news I have got and expect you had that long ago.

About going to India, I have heard nothing yet, and we can not get to know anything.

I have sent a fiver to Father last mail. If he has not got it on account of leaving his address, he might enquire at the Post Office.

Rather curious that he should find a chum of the same name, how are they going to “tell t’other from which”. I think he has done wisely in giving up the house.

You ask me me if I had a bit of loot. No. There is no chance of Infantry getting anything when the Cavalry are about. I think a ‘razor’ is about the only thing I got without paying for in the country. I got that from the Boer camp at Ladysmith. No, the money I have is my pay. We have gone months at a stretch and not got a red cent, and of course it adds up you know.

I did not get the field glasses, don’t suppose I shall until next mail, parcels generally arrive a week after. Please accept my thanks for them.

I am pleased to see you have become neighbours to the Berrys. How are they all coming on? I should like to see them again. I don’t think they’d know me now.

About the ‘bowl of dough’ business, I remember it as well as if it had occurred today. What a lark it must have been to everybody except me.

The man you ask about is Horsefield not Horsefall, he was in Bradford but went to live in Leicester. His father was foreman for Peter Kershaws brother at that place. I don’t know this place where you have gone to live can you describe to me where it is.

Tell Sarah Ann that I did make a stew out of that days rations, it was the only way out of the difficulty. I am glad to hear that everybody is well in your direction and going on all right.

Give best love to Sarah-Anne, George and Milla, Father, Anne and the Berrys and accept same yourself from

Your Affectionate Brother

George

***

The following two letters come from an army colleague of George’s and relate to George being wounded. George Jones was severely wounded at Holkrans on 4th February 1901.

***

Amsterdam 16-02-01

Dear Mr Jones,

I have not the pleasure of your acquaintance, but still you seem to be a very familiar stranger as it were. Cruet (a nickname?)-that’s your brother and my chum-speaks of you often.

You will have heard or seen by this time that your brother was severely wounded through the arm of the 5th last. Old Cruet had a warm 5 hours that day, having got within 800 yards of the ‘enemy’.

Com’dg Officer came up to him and asked him to take 12 men with him and push about 50 yds forward. Cruet got there alright, but if ever 13 men got in a war corner that honour belongs to Cruet’s party, bullets everywhere. One hit the antheap Cruet was behind and smothered him with dust, 5 minutes afterwards he received his wound. When I came in about 2 hours later, Cruet met me with his arm in a sling, with that old smile and said “Let my Dad and brother know, say it only slight, they will be awfully anxious”.

Of course, the wound is far from slight but I hope to shake his good old fist in a months time and to find him as fit as ever he was. Mr Jones you have a damned good brother. Hes not only a thorough soldier but one the pleasantist chaps it has been my pleasure to call “chum”, happy-go-lucky, with a slice of devil in him, and a face that is never without a smile, has made him no end of friends and scores of men ran out to meet me to inform me that poor old Cruet had got one in the arm. I know your sister and Dad think a lot of him, he well deserves it.

Excuse me not letting you know the goings on of our column, but convoy starts in an hours time and I must write and let my folks know of my whereabouts and safety.

Try to make this out, my knee forms army writing desk and it leaves a lot to be desired, when used for this purpose.

Cruet has been sent to Ermelo with the rest of the wounded, and I expect to hear from him if he can get any one to scribble for him.

Kind rememberances to your Father and Sister, yourself and wife and kisses to all the kiddies from uncle George.

Yours VERY truly

A Wood Co. Sergeant D.

 

Witbank-Transvaal 26/05/01

Dear Chum,

Having nothing to do but nothing, and plenty of time to do it in, and with everything in the shape of Cream paper, violet ink and gold nibs at my disposal, I gladly answer your welcome effusion.

I only hope you wrote to Cruet at the same time, or else you will certainly have to take a – - in your main sail to prevent a squall. At any rate a squall of that description would be more refreshing than the infantile echoes we get from the Boer Ladies Singer here, if Johnny Boers heart is as large as these youngsters lungs the war will be finished sometime in the next 13 years.

I hope by the 18th Sept, wonders will have taken place and that my brains (devil of a s- – - -y in my family) will be devising schemes for the best and most enjoyable means of spending 5 months in the country of birth. We are all more or less ‘Barmy Barnados’, so if money will do the trick, I anticipate spending the best 5 months of my 30 years existance.

I have never been further than Birmingham, but if there is such luck as reaching ‘old Blighty’, I am going to tack right straight along to Bradford. I am a certain starter so make your book accordingly.

Sorry I can’t let you know anything about Cruet, where the Black-dash he’s sailing his craft, and what he’s up to, Mother Shipton could only tell, as no one has heard from Battalion since it started on trek.

Our detachment was the only people left behind, when Battn. Trekked. The Rifle Brigade not being strong enough to relieve us.

We got word of Cruet’s Officer being wounded in the face and a man of his company being killed, so my “Sherlock Holmes” instinct leads me to suppose that Cruet has been enjoying himself again.

Strong rumours of Battalion going to India shortly. If Mr Rumour speaks the truth for once in a way we shan’t be able to cast out eyes about for pleasure, for another 6 months.

Really if this procrastination continues, we shall eventually turn up with grey heads and our discharges in our pockets.

I thumped the organ at church on Sunday, and I got in such a fearful sweat over thinking I should break into a comic in the middle of the Te Deum, that I still retain traces of the cold I caught.

I am still in the best of health and spirit, and I don’t see see why I should continue in this blessed state, for I am like the “village Blacksmith” in that I can “look the whole world in the face, for I owe not any man” and that is the kind of thing I could not do before the war started; and many a sleepless night I spent in consequence.

Don’t trouble about Cruet, if you do not hear from him for a while. He’s like the proverbial French penny, he actually turns up smiling on empty internals and a jaunt of 200 miles-He’s a fearful appetite for fighting and trekking.

Kind sentiments to Mrs Fred and Cruet kisses to Fredesses and Fredites.

Yours very Sincerely

Billy Doo

Assagai River 31st March 1901

Dear Brother,

I expect you have been anxiously waiting for this letter, so you could see that I am alright once more. I wrote to Father last mail but only to say that I was alright, I had not time for more. My chum wrote to you I believe to tell you about my wound. I collared it in the right forearm and it went out at the exact point of the elbow. How it missed the bone I can’t tell as that part of a mans anatomy is all bone, mine especially. I am bone all over. That same thing has always been my sorrow, but it comes out all right at the end of a 20 mile march.

When I saw how I was hit, I could have jumped for joy, I could really and the reason is that the day previously, they -the Boers- had been firing explosive bullets and they made some frightful wounds among the 18th Hussars who were with us. One Officer had four of them:- one in the abdomen, one in each arm and one in the face. The wounds in the arm laid out both biceps and the one in the face took the jaw clean away -since dead-. A Sgt had to undergo an amputation just below the shoulder, so you can imagine how pleased I was to see such a nice beautifully small, clean wound.

The day I was put out I was in the firing line, we were just holding the ground, to make good our camp. The C.O. ordered me to go onto a ridge in front with 12 men and open fire on the enemy, which I did, but we had such a lively time of it. We were about 900 yds in front of anybody and the Boers saw how few we were and didn’t they serve up the pepper hot. I had about 2 hours of it and I had some very narrow escapes. I stood up occasionally to spot them in the long grass and I got your field glasses on them. I was advised to get down as they were dropping close and it was while I was down that I caught it. They did not get off scot free I should imagine as several bloody (not a swear word) bandages were found in the position, next day. The had the impudence to attack our outpost, the day previous, 300 of them against our 40. They got close enough for a rush, and were preparing for it when our 12 pounder fired at them, a splendid shot. They turned and ran, then the old “cease fires” gave them a beautiful time. Records were beaten by scores I’ll warrant if they had been timed, they got punished severely. I must mention that the horses of the 12 pounder were at water at the time. The Regt. was ordered to fall in at the double. B Coy. (mine) was first dressed and we had the honour of pulling out the gun and getting it in to position. What do you think of that?

I went into hospital at Standerton, splendid hospital, treated like a gentleman. I was better in no time. Joined the Regt. Again and A1 at Lloyds, though sometimes I can still feel the wound, but it is nothing. There is just the very smallest mark left now that’s all.

We are close to Swazi land border now, this morning we -The Company- were ordered out at 1.30am, marched off at 2. The idea was to catch some Boers crossing a drift about 5 miles away. We got there at about 4am, stopped till 8 o’clock and as they did not show up we got the order to march to Piet Retief another 7 miles. We left the Cavalry on the look out and while we were in the town they came in with the Boers; nabbed the lot, 30 of them, 8 wagons and lots of cattle. We were settled down, by dinner time, for the day and we got a sudden order to pack up and march to this place, another 5 miles. So you see we have had a good days work today, added to which I have a thousand and one things to attend to in the company, such as rations, forage, cooking, outposts etc and I am fairly tired out. Until I sat down to write this I had not had a rest since 2.00am, it is now 7.30pm, our bed time. I could not afford to miss the mail though which goes tomorrow.

Our column was only 1000 strong leaving Middelburg 850 Leicester, remaining MI and Cavalry. They thought we had a bad time of it, Smith Donieu said so to Major Howard a Canadian Officer since murdered. “Don’t be afraid of them General” said he, “I met that crowd a couple of days ago and I guess it the neatest little craft in these parts.”

He saw us sitting down in camp laughing and joking under fire of Boer shells, taking not the least notice, I was in the Hospital tent though, myself.

Well Fred, I have said so much about myself at the risk of being thought conceited -that I must chuck it and answer yours.

About the letters, you ought to have had a awful lot, I seem to have been on the scribble. Glad you got the P.O.s all right and to see you take it the right way. Can’t say that I am sorry about Alf Clough. I have seen so much of him. Have never dropped across Joe Berry. If I do shall be treated like a toff and I shall be delighted.

The chimney joke is very good. Rather better than most of them you hear nowadays. Glad to hear you are all going on all right.

You had better forward this to Father and Annie and with my best love. Love to Sarah-Anne and young George and Milla and any-more?

Oh Fred don’t forget to answer the letter my chum sent to you. He would be very proud. He is a decent fellow in fact the best fellow in the world for a chum. I picked up with him the first day I went into Barracks and we have been sworn comrades ever since, 13 years nearly.

Well Fred I’ve done I can’t keep my eyes open any more, fairly done up tonight so I will retire to my solitary, virtuous, tissue paper blanket and sink into the arms of sweet Morpheus.

Thanks for doing that little business for me.

Good night all

Your Affectionate Brother

George

Vryheid 5th October 1901

Dear Brother,

Just a little line to let you know that I am all O.K. I am still on the trek. This is the first days rest we have had for some time. Day after day going on the average -for the last fortnight- at 17 or 18 miles a day.

You will see by the heading that I have got further south; Vryheid, we started out from Middelburg, northwards towards Lydenburg, turned south to Wonderfontein, Ermelo, Volksrust, through Laings Nek to Ingogo, to Utrecht, then here you will see by the map that we have gone a few hundred miles. I think it is intended for us to go to Dundee, where we started from two years ago but at present we are taking out provisions to Kitchener and Campbell who have got some Boers surrounded about 10 miles away. That is rumoured only, we can get no information whatever now. We heard the other day that Louis Botha attacked two posts of ours and got the devil of a slating, leaving two hundred on the field. This occurred in Zululand and the yarn goes that we have the remainder of his force hemmed in here.

This part (Vryheid) was part of Zululand at one time and in the past few days I have seen several of Bullers battlefields in the Zulu Wars. Yesterday we camped under the hill on which Buller -then Lt. Col.- gained his V.C.

I have no news for you today, you will get at the truth of these stories of mine before I shall so you can send it to me. It seems strange that I am here on the spot and have to wait for news from you who are 6000 miles away.

Roll on quickly the end, I want to see the last of it. I am sending you a small book, a compilation of all Boer telegrams published during the war. It may be of interest to you.

You will notice that we have not a victory during the war, even when they are losing town after town and being pushed back from position to position they

The balance of this letter is missing

Luneburg 20th October 1901

Dear Brother,

About two lines, just to say that I am still in the land of the living and likely to be for some time yet, can not in fact charge out into action, since I wrote to you last we have been in the rear of everything. Haven’t had the luck to see a Boer for ages.

We have been doing nothing but convoy duties and rear guards. Botha got away easy enough from the last place, as, no doubt you have heard before now.

We have, however, got in touch with a few more of the enemy. In inaccessable hills as usual. They tell us that all the out-lets are closed again and that they can not possibly get away, and today they commenced to close in on him. Big guns and ‘pom poms’ have been going all day but whether there has been any damage done or not, I am unable to say. I suppose it will all end up as usual with them sliding off, when they are tired. They eventually manage to close off all the outlets, bar one. We got into our position today, we are holding a nek between two hills and if he comes our way he will find it hotter than Hades. We had to cross the Pongola river today in the following manner:-

Naked, bandoliers, haversacks and rifles slung over one shoulder, carrying the remainder of our limited (very) supply of kit. We landed with the exception of one or two Spion Kops, i.e. reverses, accidents or whatever you like to call them.

We are under Kitchener’s command now. Our general (Campbell) is within a few miles of us, and he keeps sending in for us to join him but K will not let us go. We should have a better chance of coming in to something if we were with C.

I think this is the worst trek we have been on, I mean as regards results. We have done simply nothing except march and we have done so much of that, that we have worn all our boots out, and started wearing our feet out now. I think I am about two inches shorter already, I don’t know how I shall be when the trek ends. We have been out 3 months now come the 25th and we have been marched blind.

I wouldn’t care a bit if we were doing anything, in fact I don’t as it is but you still like to have something resulting from your labours.

We have been over two years on the job now and are beginning to feel the pressure. Two years with every third night on piquet, and in some cases every other night on, is a bit rough. When they are going to allow us to clear out I don’t know. I thought we were safe to go at one time but Ikona! I think they will break us up and mend the roads with us at the finish. They are in a bad state round here (the roads I mean).

Can’t grumble though, only sometimes, and swear, Oh lord I don’t think I shall ever reach that “home beyond the skies”. What price the other day, started at 5am, 16 miles in front of us. Thunderstorms 6am till 7, steady rain afterwards. Rear guard, bad roads, pulling wagons out of drifts, up to the knees in rivers, arrived in camp at dark. Wet blanket, ground ditto, got tea and water, very much of the water, 1/2 gill of rum; to bed swearing, got up swearing.

Mail is just going out again, I expect you are beginning to think this joke is stale. I shall have to invent another excuse. Still raining, more swearing.

However we are not so bad off as we might be. I am in the best of health, wanting for nothing and up to the mark in every respect.

What do you think of Lotter’s capture? Pretty smart of Seabell don’t you think? I am pulling your leg for another stamp. I have run out.

That’s all this time Fred, Best of love to Sarah-anne and the young uns, to Father, Annie and the rest. Let me know how you all are and believe me to be.

Your Aff. Brother

George

 

Leeuws Spruit Nr. Standerton 15th February 1902

Dear Fred,

I think I owe you a couple of lines, I keep on letting mail after mail go without writing and promise myself that I will write the very next one and so on.

There is absolutely nothing to talk about. We are as near dead as anything else here. We have simply nothing to pass the time away with. We have nothing to do. We get no news, until it is old. Right enough we do get a paper or two in which we read that “Queen Anne is dead” or Napoleon has been exiled to St. Helena or something like that.” (Don’t believe this. I must have been a bit off when I wrote this, beside I am an awful liar.)

I sent you a pipe the other day. One I got from the Queen, her Christmas present, there are very few of them. Only the senior Sergts getting them. You will see the Queen’s monogram on the pipe under the crown. I have had my initials engraved on. You must let me know how it smokes. It is yours.

Do you think we are getting up a pantomime out here, or if not what do you mean by sending those high kicking damsels out. Billy told me he had libelled me in reference to the same girls. I don’t know what he means, do you?

28th Feb…….I had to knock off writing. I could not find anything to say and I could not send you such a small letter. I have nothing now in the way of news so I must fill up with anything. I am still A.1., we are still in the blockhouses, and doing very nicely, but I think the trek suits me best after all. We have a visit or two from the Boers during the night time. They put a few shots into our camp, one going through an Officer’s tent just above his head.

We have started a drive on here yesterday. That’s what they call them now: the cavalry extend for miles and go for all they are worth, start up the Boers and have a regular fox and hounds chase. We saw them pass here at a distance of about two miles going like steam. They bagged the whole lot of them before night, some 30 odd -I now learn it was 40 odd-Have just heard that about 600 have been collared in the Free State. Don’t know if its true or not.

I got a letter from Annie today. She is a real brick, and writes a rattling letter. She mentioned about that cheese she sent me at Xmas and says she thinks it was drowned on the voyage across or something like that. She tells me Father looked very well again, champion she calls it. You can imagine I was delighted to hear it.

Billy Doo is nothing if he is not original. He has got a gramophone for his company and he had to let me have a tune, so he asked me to come to the telephone (I am 16 miles from his place) and when I got there he put the receiver, at his end, into the bell of the gramophone and started her off, I could hear it distinctly, not bad was it.

By the way it was Ladysmith day today. A happy Ladysmith to you, they are having fine times at Ladysmith tonight I know.

This time two years ago I was laughing, I suppose to think we had got out of that place. It was as Billy says “a beastly- jolly-awful place d-d-d-don’t you know.”

Who would have though that we would still be here at this time, alive and kicking and waiting only to get into civilisation again to play the very devil. I bet we shall be beauties for a week or two. If I was to come straight home to you from here, you would say I was as mad as a hatter, it makes me laugh to think of it.

This thing must come to an end some time or other.

I don’t know anything more about India (don’t grin now) but at the depot they have got everything packed up in case we go at short notice.

I think I promised you that I would write to Father, but I have not done so, but I suppose this will do for both, as you are together. I could only give him the same sort of stuff, poor stuff at the best.

Well I think I have talked myself to death this time so I will conclude with love to all friends and relations, to yourself, Father, Sarah-Anne and the little ones, to Annie and ………?, and in fact to all Bradford. I never liked it so much when I was there as I do now. Absence makes the heart etc, but if I was absent for a hundred years I could not be fonder than I am at present, of the lot of yers, be jabers, I couldn’t.

Well best of love to all from Yours Affectionately

George

 

Leeuws Spruit 1st of April 1902

Dear Brother,

Just a line to inform you that I am well as usual. I have no news for you. The same old thing I say every time. It is very quiet here. We have heard rumours about peace proposals etc lately, but they don’t seem to have come to anything definite. We have heard rumours too about De la Roy but most yarns we get are incorrect and as you are likely to get the news before us, I will not say anything about them.

One thing I have got to tell you, however, is that the other night Wings column camped near us, as we thought for the night, but it appears that in the night they got orders to move 300 of the enemy. They did not inform us as they ought to have done. The consequence was that when part of the force came near our blockhouses, our men opened fire on them with a maxim with the result that a few of the 19th Hussars were wounded, very unfortunate, but no fault of ours. We knew the enemy were in the vicinity and of course seeing a mounted force moving in the dark near the blockhouse, naturally took them for Boers: at other times like this we have always been warned. They seem to have it that about three were hit.

They seem to keep the Methuen disaster pretty quiet, we have no details about it. All we heard is that Methuen was severely wounded and that the Infantry fought well, but there seems to be some doubt about the behaviour of the mounted troops. Have you heard anything about it?

Billy tells me by telephone that you got your pipe all right, and you did not know about whose it was etc. You will have read my letter by this time though. It took me several weeks to write it. I had nothing to put in it. Once more I have proved to be wrong in telling you about our move out of the country. I must be something like “Jane Cakebread” of Police Court fame, in my appearances with this yarn. I think it must be the 999th time I have startled you with my prognostications, Oh dear! What a word. I swear to be correct next time, I will write when we get on the boat. They say here now that they are going to start building the boat which takes us home, in a few years time.

You ask me for a full account next time I write. My dear fellow, you can not know how we are situated. We might be a thousand and one miles from anywhere for what news we get, or for that matter what is going on. There are about 100 of us here and the nearest post is ten miles off. We have to go to bed like good little boys at 8pm and we have such a good Sergeant-Major here, that if you look cross eared, I should say cross eyed you are risking a Court-Martial. He who ought to be the life of the Regt, the man that everybody looks to make things lively is positively the most unpopular man of the whole regt. (Our late S-M is Quarter-Master now.)

I tell you it is stale buns here. The Colonel is not much better, he will allow anyone a days pass to go into Standerton, which is ten miles from here. You have to walk there, but on the return journey you have the chance of………. Walking again. Twenty miles in one day from 8am to 5pm and do your shopping, to say nothing of carrying a sack of groceries with you. We generally send someone in to get things for us and bring them out, and don’t we have to pay through the nose. We should be as right as rain if only those two were not here.

Now here is a case. Colour Sgt Smith was made a prisoner the other night for having a light in his tent, half an hour after time. We are safe as houses mind you in the blockhouses. Columns and convoys camp near us outside the fort and keep their lights going till 10 and 11 at night, having concerts. We are not allowed to have a pint of beer, No! too dangerous! but columns coming out on the Trek, fighting troops camp here sometimes and you can see them with two or three barrels and men parading for their two pints a day. The Col has got as fine a regt as there is in S.A. They do not complain as a rule, but it goes against the grain to be treated like schoolboys. Personally I don’t care a fig. I go on just the same old way but I know that most of the troops are fed up.

You will be calling me a proper old grouser wont you, but you must not run away with the idea that I am not as happy as an Irishman and a ragman at that. I get on splendidly with the Captain, who is one of the best, a regular brick and “everything in the garden is lovely” as far as I am concerned.

I will close now and write some more tomorrow, it has just gone (I mean the whistle) lights out, that means bed, 8pm.

  

18th May ’02

Dear Fred,

In my last paragraph I say “I will write some more perhaps tomorrow”. That’s about 6 weeks ago. I have just come across this letter stowed away & which I thought I had sent to you.

Excuse me old man for keeping you waiting so long.

I have already written you another few lines which should reach you along with this.

Best wishes to every one

Yrs G J

 

Leeuws Spruit Transvaal 20th June ’02

Dear Fred,

It has just struck me that I owe you a letter or that you owe me one. Which is it?

Peace at last. We have done our work and that means that we have to start again of course………………………

I saw a fine sight the other day. The Standerton commando commanded by general Louis Botha came into our post and surrendered to Bruce Hamilton. They were about three or four hundred strong. Came in a body, formed up and had the proclamations read to them and laid down their rifles and bandoliers. Best sight I have seen during the war. We prepared dinner for the whole mob, also coffee & the men were giving them tobacco &c.

We have been pulling down the wire entanglements and works now for the last few days, and we have everything done now, ready for a move. We are leaving the Blockhouses standing. Someone has bought them. The Dutch people are leaving the camps and going to their farms. Poor devils. Some of them will weep when they see them. We have several here asking for grub and I don’t think anyone has been sent away empty handed. Everybody is so pleased that the thing is finished that they will give them anything. The Boers seem to be more pleased than us though.

We had congratulations of King Ned read out to us the other day & Kitchener has given 1/6 per man for Coronation beer. We are also getting 1/6 per man from F. Force Canteen for Coronation dinner. So we shall have another Christmas.

Best of all, I believe we are getting another medal for the guerilla war.

We expect to get our orders for demobilisation every day and also for our move, which I an almost confident will be India. I spoke to the Adjt. About a furlough and he told me I had to wait until we were demobilised & then the Colonel would consider it. I don’t expect to be able to get it until we get to India. There will be such a devil of a lot of squaring up to be done but as I am one of the very first to go, with luck, you ought to have another guest at your next Christmas Dinner.

Do you know that our Regt. will be represented at the Coronation. We sent a Detachment home the other day. I suppose it is all Coronation with you at home.

Well I have no other news now but will write & let you know what is going on from time to time. I rather expect we shall go to Maritzburg from here and fix up there.

I am in the Pink again, aspen, & hope you are all the same. Tell Father that I say “Now we shan’t be long.” Give love to Father, Annie, Sarah Ann & George, Milla, Hannah P & all.

I am in a hurry again of course mail going & all that kind of thing. Stale buns you will call it. Anyhow I suppose you know that I am a bit of a chancer. So it does not matter.

We are getting the Band & Drums together again. New things from home. Most of our instruments were left at Dundee.

Well its all over at last & I have come through with one little scratch which now can scarcely be seen & I thank God for it. It has been no little thing as you know and we have been a very lucky Regt. To get through as we have done but we have put a terrible lot under.

However it is the Fortunes of War. Well I will say Ta Ta. Love to all once more, & tell them that a poor war worn old tramp will soon be claiming their sympathy &c &c. Roll on that time.

Your Affectionate

George

 

Maritzburg 23.10.02

Dear Brother,

I have got my furlough all right and I am now at Maritzburg waiting for a boat. I have no idea about what time I shall embark nor can I tell you which boat I shall come on. I have been waiting a week, and to all appearances shall have to wait much longer, yet, as they are taking the boats that should go home, to India, on account of this Somaliland business.

I might not be able to let you know by letter which boat I shall come on. If I am I will let you know of course. If not, I will telegraph on my arrival in Southampton.

I only just got my furlough arranged in time. The Regt. will leave the country in a few days time. It is just possible, I think, that they might be taken for the Somaliland fighting.

It will be a bit offside if I miss a medal.

I hope I shall not inconvenience you by coming.

I should like to get away from here. It is so expensive having nothing to do all day and all your grub to provide for yourself. I am afraid it is making a hole in the furlough money.

Billy Doo too. He’s a card. He has never been out of debt in his life until now and now he doesn’t know what to do with it.

Billy and I distinguished ourselves at Cricket just before we left the Regt. just so they would not forget us.

Sergts. Leics v Sergts. E. Surrey

1st wicket. Wood & Jones 104

Wood 61 Jones 43

Leic. Won 160 for 6 wkts

Surreys 77

Sergts. Leic & Surreys v Officers Leic & Surrey

1st wicket Jones & Wood

Wood 39 Jones 38

Officers won by 100

That will give them something to think about while we are away.

Well Fred how are they all getting along at home? I shall expect to see them in the pink when I arrive.

I was told the other day by a lady here at Maritzburg that I had aged 10 years since I left here 4 years ago to go to Ladysmith.

There’s a little excuse for that however, seeing the rough times we have had. When we came down here our faces were as black as a chimney sweeps hat & we did look a pretty pair of peaches I’ll bet.

Everybody seemed to be staring at us or else it appeared to be so to us through being away from civilisation for so long.

I don’t know what I shall do when I get in to the city of Bradford. I shall be like a fish out of water. Shan’t know where to put myself. Hope I shall get used to it quickly and not make you laugh at me too much. I shall have to put myself under your tuition in the Coventionalities of your Civilised Society.

Is it possible to civilise a savage?

I can get on all right among the native tribes but I am afraid I shall be out of place in England.

Well I think I have about finished this time so I close.

You might let Annie know that I am coming.

Love to all.

Yr Affectionate

George

The following two letters come from George’s posting in India

 

Pallavaram 16.2.04

Dear Fred,

In answer to your last just a few lines. I have not much time as usual.

We have been out in camp for some time now at Field Training. I thought I had had enough of that for a long time, but we still have to go on with it I see. We start on a weeks manoeuvres on Thursday. First day 16 miles in a country like this. A bit rough I expect.

The old Indian wallahs say that you are not allowed to go on parade after 6am here. Well we have, for the last fourteen days been on parade from 6am till 12 noon & there is more to come.

However we shall get through it I expect.

Everyone is going mad on gymnastics here. Besides Field training we had to do free gymnastics for an hour each day. Today we paraded at 6.30 and I took the Company for a run for over a mile, 2000 yds. I should think altogether. Not bad for an old soldier in a country like the East, the dirty, stinking, rotten East. Oh Lord. It is a decent place if you have a strong stomach but to anyone who hasn’t, well I wont say any more, but if you ever get your nose under a nigger’s armpit you will have some idea of the lovely scents of the incomparable East. The hot weather is just starting & I am covered in prickly heat already. Of course you don’t know what that is but it is a kind of very fine rash that comes on the skin. You know what they call goose flesh, like that, only red colour & when you get in the sun it feels all over as if you were all funny bone & somebody had knocked it. A kind of prickly, smarting, tickling sensation. I think a man curses more in India than he does in any other part of the world. Even the women learn to use slang the dear creatures.

We have some good times tho’ we had the other week, instead of our usual ‘at home’ a moonlight picnic on the sands. The Ladies were to provide for us & right well they did it too. Every lady was to bring what she thought fit & was not to tell the others. We had a glorious feed. We took our shoes off, got paired up and went paddling at 9pm, sea like new milk, then afterwards the men went in fully dressed for a swim. One tart fell in, she had to take off her dress and go home in a Sergts top coat. Oh yes, we have our jolly times. We have just won another cup, at football. The Madras Cup. Splendid thing, largest cup I have ever seen. We were drawn against the Essex Rgt. But we had just beaten them so they scratched. We played Lincoln’s next round–draw, played again & won 1–0. Then played Middlesex Rgt. & won 1–0. So we have won 3 cups so far in India. They had great rejoicings in Madras.

That’s about all the news from my end. Now what about yours? Don’t grouse about the photo I think I get it done next month.

Tell Sarah Ann that I have surrendered. I thought I was doing a fly move making her pay a penny for a letter & that I was getting the laugh on her but when I had to pay 2d for mine that altered things considerably. She needn’t laugh, she will have to pay the penalty in kisses some day or other. I can just fancy you knocking about in you shirt dodging for the postman, pennies &c . You must have looked like you the morning you let me in. You know! When I came in with the milk. I haven’t got Sal’s long one yet though, letter I mean.

You make me jealous when you say that the girls have fallen in love with Lindley’s photo, I want them to fall in love with mine. Lindley is engaged tell them & shortly to be married but I am quite free, and ……..? tell them not to all speak at once. What price turning Mahommedan & asking for the lot to share my rations, pay, & companies washing but I forgot they don’t wash in India, it isn’t dignified, ahem.

There is no doubt about your Sarah Ann being a good one. I laughed till I cried when she turned the tables on me and I had to pay 2d. I did think of sending her a parcel with about 6d to pay on it but I an afraid she would have retaliated with 1/- so I could not stick that so gave her best. My love to her. Splendid woman. Ah Fred you are a lucky dog.

I see Annie has a son. Ellis wrote and told me. Good luck to them. May they have some more. So you are an uncle at last Fred. I’m glad. Do you know I felt rather sorry for you. What my dear fellow I am not so old as you & I have been an uncle, years upon years. What did you say? But I had never been a ———-what! Get out! How dare you!

How are the Jacksons going on? I feel rather mean, not having written to them for so long, in fact I don’t know who wrote last but I really have such a lot of writing to do that when I have finished my work I have had enough with the pen as a rule. However when we have finished these manoeuvres & inspections I shall have more time at my disposal.

We have had General’s inspection since I have been here & passed A.1. My company got specially complimented for free gymnastic. We are rather smart I can tell you. You can tell that they are not wasters when we go for a run of more than a mile before breakfast, about 80 of us & about 75 out of the 80 finish, myself always included in the finishing lot. Couldn’t very well fall out if I wanted bad example &c &c. You see when they see me in front, the youngsters don’t like to give an old crock like me best & so that carries them through. They are a fine lot of lads, well behaved and splendid shots, most of them. I’m best shooting Coy. this year. I think I have told you before.

Well Dear chum, I’m off to bed. Its about midnight I’m in the pink & as thin as a rake, but I am not grumbling. Give my love to all, Father, Annie & all the Jacksons, Sal and the kids & yourself.

Yrs Cruit

 

Beldaum 17th Aug ’05

Dear Fred,

I was very, very sorry to hear of poor Susie’s death. It came as a shock although you had told me she was ill. Poor Susie. I am afraid she didn’t have such a nice time of it as she might have had. You might express my sympathy with the Jacksons.

The poor girls must have felt it very much. How did Sarah Ann take it? At the same time you might explain why I don’t write. It is not that I think a little bit less of any of them, only that I am not great at letter writing in the first place, secondly there is nothing to write about whatever. Thirdly, I am studying all hours the Lord sends, for the school of Musketry. I go the day after tomorrow. Tommy-rot I think for a man of my age to have to go to school & learn to repeat like a parrot page after page & book after book of theory of rifles & Maxim guns &c &c. Its sickening. I had to laugh about the Duke. It was very funny.

About the fight, we won easily. The other man never had a look in. Our man tricked him splendidly and punched him all over the ring but could not knock him out. He was as hard as bricks & a lot bigger than our chap, but there was never any doubt.

Our Bn is in another final for a football cup at Poona. I hope they win. They are going on to Bombay then to play for a cup there.

You would be surprised to see the alteration in the amount of a soldiers work in the last two or three months. Before we had nothing to do (although we thought we had). We can see it now. We have to earn our pay now and I can assure you, but then after all a soldier is always grousing.

I hate the thought of this musketry school. The men who have been say that it two months of perpetual grind. Parade from 7 until 1-o’clock, then all the afternoon reading up for the exams &c. so I am in for a rough time I can see. So Fred old chap make my apologies to everyone for not keeping up correspondence. I am tired of saying, “I am O.K.” “& will now conclude &c &c ” It gets monotonous & there is really nothing going. There is some talk about us going home in about a years time & we cant be very long so if all is O.K. I shall be showing you my ugly mug shortly.

I hope everybody is well. Give my love to Sal & the kiddies, Dad, Annie & family & the Jacksons & tell Dear old Ted not to get his wool of me because I have seemed to neglect him a bit. There is one thing in my favour, I have served you all pretty much the same all round.

I am an old bounder aren’t I?

I am in fair condition as the following will prove. I went out on the bike yesterday with two other chaps & I got busted up 7 miles from home. They took in my bike and I tried to see how soon I could get back to Camp. I started at twenty minutes to 5 & got in at 10 minutes to 6. Seven miles in one hour & ten minutes. Running & walking of course. I mean to illustrate the fact that I am not altogether done in yet eh!

Well Fred old man I have no news for you. Don’t forget to give my best love to the Jacksons & tell them how sorry I am, how deeply sorry for them in their trouble.

Yours with love

George

The following three letters are from Major T.E. Glossop and are self explanatory

 

Sussex House Richmond Hill Surrey 23-8-02

To Mr F. Jones

Dear Sir,

While in S. Africa I presented your Brother who is my Colour Sergeant with a Mauser Rifle I got & brought it home for him. He asked me to give it to you to take care of until he could come home himself which I hope will not be long now, so I write to know how you wd like to get it as I don’t want it lost in transit.

I shall be at the above address until Monday next after which I shall be away for a month but any letters from you will be forwarded.

I am glad to say I was able at the last to get his splendid services during the War recognised by a Mention in Despatches by Lord Kitchener.

Yrs faithfully

T E Glossop

1 Leicestershire Regt.

 

Sussex Ho.Richmond Hill S.W Surrey 30-11-02

To Mr F. Jones

Dear Sir,

Your memo to hand. I have only just returned here & I have not had time to send off the rifle which I will do soon, but will send a line before I start it off to let you know when to expect it.

I was very glad to see that they gave your brother a Distinguished Conduct Medal the other day & I am writing to congratulate him.

He fully deserved it & I spent some energy in trying to put his name sufficiently before Authorities for the excellence of his services in S. Africa.

Yrs faithfully

T.E. Glossop

1 Leic. Regt.

 

The DCM award was published in The London Gazette on the 31^st October 1902

and in Army Order 10/03

 

Leicester 15-10-07

Dear Cr Sergt Jones,

I was more than pleased to see your name in Army Orders yesterday for the Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, as no one has more fully earned it & I was always so disappointed at not getting a previous recommendation passed for you to have it.

Mrs Glossop also wishes me to say that she joins me in my hearty congratulations.

Yrs very sincerely

T.E. Glossop

I am sorry to hear about Winnett

****

 

More on George Jones by Mark Jones

I have gone over the notes I made about the medals when I saw them last November. George Jones received the George V medal with the Red, White and Blue ribbon. The inscription reads ’1914-1915 12587, C.S. Mjr G. Jones, Leic. R.’ He also received The Great War for Civilisation 1914-1919 medal. The inscription on that medal reads ’12587, W.O. CL. 2, G. Jones, Leic R.’ George also received the George V 1914-1918 medal. The inscription reads ’12587, W.O. CL II, G. Jones, Leic R.’

The remaining 4 medal set is from his tenure in South Africa. They include the Edward VII DCM, Victoria South Africa medal, Edward VII South Africa Medal & Edward VII Long Service and Good Conduct medal; all with ribbons, some with campaign bars. These four medals all bear similar inscriptions, ’2350, Clr Sgt G. Jones, Leic Regt.’

It seems peculiar that George would have two different regimental numbers, 12587 and 2350, both with the Leicesters. The explanation is that he retired from the Regiment in 1911 and then volunteered for active service when WW1 broke out. David (Mark’s father) has a tantalus given to George by the members of the Sgt’s Mess, 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regt. The inscription plate reads: ‘Presented by the members Sergeants Mess 1st Battn Leicestershire Regt to Colr Sergt G. Jones on his leaving the Battn after 23 years service 12-6-1911.’

 

 

‘Then, at last, our leaders came together at Vereeniging, and peace was made. And we returned to our farms, relieved that the war was over, but with heavy hearts at the thought that it had all been for nothing and that over the Transvaal the Vierkleur would wave not again.’

Herman Charles Bosman in Mafeking Road