Bootle Town Hall (Anglo-Boer War)

Looking through some back copies of The Bootle Times gives the following information:

5,679 Private Ernest Palmer, 3rd Grenadier Guards, and Private John Holohan, 1st Scots Guards, were reservists and were called up soon after the outbreak of war. They were both "members of the borough police force." Both men were at Belmont, where Palmer was wounded in the stomach and both thighs. "Corporal Fraser, No. 5,796, who was down at Lambourn, was killed close by me."
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Drill-Instructor Thomas Henderson, and Constables Terence Durnion, Thomas Burnes, and Arthur Smy were reservists at Bootle Police Station, and Henderson, Durnion, and Smy were members of the mounted detachment of the police. Henderson was a native of Argyllshire, Durnion was from Fermanagh, Burnes from Lancashire, and Smy from Suffolk. They reported to Wellington Barracks, London, on 7th January 1900.
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J. Galvin, "a Bootle man," of H.M.S. Doris, had a letter to his mother published [Bootle Times, 20.1.1900] in which he said that he'd been in the fighting at Belmont and Graspan; he was aged 19 at the time.
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Private Sunderland, a reservist who had worked at Waterloo Town Hall, wrote from Estcourt, on 29th December 1899, to a colleague that "we are only a few miles off Ladysmith."
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2835 Private Andrew Milne, 1st Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, wrote a letter, dated 21st December 1899, from the Camp, Modder River, about his recent battle experiences.
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The officers of the 4th Volunteer Battalion The King's Liverpool Regiment entertained to supper, at City Hall, Liverpool, on Monday, 22nd January 1900, the service section of the battalion who had been chosen for active service in South Africa.
The following members of the Service Section were present: -
Captain A. Kyrke-Smith, Sergeant D. Swift, Corporal F. George, Privates W. Allen, H. Ball, J. Bourke, E. Brown, G. Currie, W. Croall, W. Duncan, J. Donnelly, F. Gibson, J. Harold, J. Heaps, J. Hickey, E. Hughan, J. Kitchen, H. Mercer, E. Pedder, J. Quigg, J. Rose, S. Smith, E. J. Williams, J. Williams, J. Wilson, F. Warren, J. Youd, J. Annesley, and C. Jones. Captain Kyrke-Smith "was one of their youngest captains."
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Private Edward Lightfoot, of the Natal Carabineers, and formerly of Mount-pleasant, Waterloo, had a letter published [Bootle Times, 3.2.1900], written from the Carabineers' Camp, Ladysmith, on 28th December 1899. In a rather gruesome letter he reported on the death of four men on 18th December - Billy Buxton, "of the band," and Miller; two men from Dundee, Elliott, aged 16, and Smith.
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"On Monday night [29.1.1900], a smoking concert was held in the Overhead Railway Institute, Seaforth, to bid farewell to Private C. Maloney, of the 1st V.B.K.L.R., who has been selected for active service in South Africa. The general manager, Mr. S. B. Cottrell, presided, and was supported by Mr. Musker. The chairman, in felicitous terms, made a presentation on behalf of the staff of an illuminated address, silver match box and a cigar case. Mr. Maloney appropriately acknowledged the compliment thus paid him, and an enjoyable social evening was afterwards spent."
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The active service contingent, comprising 28 men commanded by Captain Kyrke-Smith, attended Sunday morning service at Christ Church, Bootle, on 4th February, 1900.
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DINNER TO LANCE-CORPORAL H. JONES, OF BOOTLE.
Bootle has played a prominent part in the enthusiastic send off given to many of the troops who have embarked here to join the British army in South Africa, but when the volunteers came forward ready to take their places at the front and the Government accepted them as a special active service contingent, the war appeared to draw perceptibly nearer home and as soon as our friends assume the khaki uniform we are touched by their self-denying patriotism and seek to do them honour. A scene which was certainly unique in the annals of our town was witnessed on Tuesday evening [6.2.1900] at the Masonic Hall, when a farewell dinner was given by a number of friends to Lance Corporal Herbert Jones of the 2nd V.B. The King's Liverpool Regiment who is going to the front as a private. The guest of the evening was accompanied by three friends, Privates C. Walker, Richardson, and Chamberlain, who also go out as members of the special service corps and all appeared in khaki uniform.
[Excerpt from the Bootle Times, 10.2.1900]
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Bombardier F. C. Talbot, 2nd Special Ammunition Column, Lord Methuen's Field Force, wrote a letter, dated 13th January 1900, to a friend in Bootle. Rough Rider Talbot was formerly drill instructor of the 87th Field Battery at Seaforth. He was also instructor to the Bootle Mounted Police, but wasn't a Bootle man.
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3113 Trooper G. Fowler, of the 13th Lancers, wrote to his wife in Bootle, from Koodoos Drift, Free State, dated 25th February 1900. "You will be sorry to hear of Bob Gunstone's death. He was shot, last Saturday, through the left breast. We had just captured two Dutch farmers, so a lot of us galloped up and captured their horses. Bob went to capture five or six Boers who were fleeing for their lives, when one turned round and shot right at him. He was buried half an hour later."
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Private Fred Wood, 1st King's Liverpool Regiment, wrote from the Camp, Ladysmith, dated 1st March 1900.
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"Sergeant" F. A. George, Special Service Company, wrote to his parents at Bootle, from S.S. Guelph, Port Elizabeth, on 22nd March. "We sailed from Southampton on Friday, February 23rd, in the Avondale Castle." He mentioned William John Youde, known as John, in the letter as also being on board.
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A BOOTLE MAN IN LADYSMITH.
The following letter has been received from Private J. Brennan, C Squadron, 5th Dragoon Guards, whose mother lives in Miller's Bridge, Bootle; - Ladysmith, Natal, S.A., 10th March, 1900. "Dear Mother, - I received your welcome letter of November 1st yesterday, and I was very glad to hear that your health is getting better. Dear mother, I hope that you are not upset over me not writing to you before this, for to tell you the truth I could not, having been besieged for the last four months. We have had it pretty rough since we arrived in Ladysmith, very little to eat or drink, but plenty of shot and shell day after day. I would like to write and let you know all about the siege, but I know that the newspapers keep you well informed about what's going on. We are still in Ladysmith, but we expect to move shortly to a healthier camping ground for a week or two. Me and George Riley have been together since we left India, and both of us have had very fair health considering the rough times we have been having. We have 60 horses left out of close on 500 that we brought from India, the rest having been eaten by the starving troops and civilians in Ladysmith. The 5th Lancers, 18th and 19th Hussars are just as bad as us, all their horses having been used as food for the garrison. We were very glad when General Buller's column marched in Ladysmith, as we had only one more week's rations left. We are now getting a little extra food, and we will be all right in a week or two. Dear mother, I hope that your health remains good until the time comes when I will be able to come home once more, and be able to assist you. - From James to mother."
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3392 Private J. Rylett, B Company, 1st Derby Regiment, wrote to his brother, from Base Depot at East London, on 21st March, 1900. He was "one of the twenty-four who held Bethulie," and described his experiences there in the letter.
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A Waterloo gunner, 'Jack,' wrote from "Natal Brigade, Division R.G.A. Field Force, South Africa," on 30th March, 1900, with details of his movements over the previous week.
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Mr. Edward Morgan, of 140, Berry-street, Bootle, received a letter from his son-in-law, Private Joseph Wild, South Lancashire Regiment, describing the relief of Ladysmith, but "it is a graphic description and most interesting but by this date rather stale news." [Bootle Times, 5th May, 1900]
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RELIEF OF MAFEKING.

Ho, Empirites of every clime
Unfurl your banners, be in time,
Break forth in joy, shout out and sing
At the relief of Mafeking.
For seven long months they've stood the strain,
Their cry for help was not in vain;
Relief at last - its echoes bring
Great joy to those at Mafeking.

All hail to that heroic band
Who nobly made their gallant stand;
Full at the foe contempt they fling
And danger's past at Mafeking.
Hail noble "B.P.," gallant man,
Our thankful empire grasps thy hand;
Such men as thee make history ring
With deeds like those at Mafeking.

And what of those poor fragile things?
Unused to hardships battle brings;
Our hearts have bled for their suff'ring
Within the lines of Mafeking.
You, too, have done much noble work,
Inspiring men, who'd scorn to shirk,
For you they'd dare do anything;
There's chivalry in Mafeking.

O, who can tell the sufferings passed;
We here at home have never grasped
The danger, dread, and hunger's sting,
When thus beset like Mafeking.
We see around our glorious land
An Empire great, united stand,
Where justice, freedom, loyalty ring
At the relief of Mafeking.

O Empress great, beloved Queen,
You too have suffered, prayed unseen,
Friend, mother, guide, to thee we cling;
Your heart went out to Mafeking.
We grieve with thee when thou art sad,
Our hearts rejoice when thou art glad;
May He from whom all blessings spring
Give peace to thee and Mafeking.

O, august Lady, on this day
May countless blessings strew thy way,
Many, many years by thee be seen,
Long may we sing "God save the Queen!"
Then, when the cry of war shall cease,
And conflicts end in blessed peace,
Our voices shall with rapture sing
The Empire through with Mafeking.

SAMUEL BURNETT
223, Stanley-road, Bootle, Liverpool.
24th May, 1900.
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Return of a Bootle Reservist.
Private Palmer, one of the Bootle Police Reservists, who was called to the front at an early stage of the present war, has returned home invalided. He landed at Southampton on Sunday, and has been sent to Netley Hospital. It will be remembered that he was wounded at the battle of Belmont, and was for some time in hospital. He eventually recovered and again took his place at the front but an attack of sickness made his return to England inevitable. Palmer went with Lord Kitchener to Omdurman, and was not very long at home after that memorable campaign before he was ordered to South Africa, so he has seen considerable service, and will no doubt be received with much patriotic enthusiasm when he returns to Bootle.
[Bootle Times, 16th June, 1900]
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John McGee wrote to his sister from Kroonstadt, on Monday, May 14th, 1900. He had taken part in 14 days fighting at Thabauchu.
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RETURN OF A BOOTLE POLICE RESERVIST.

The return of ex-Police constable Palmer to Bootle, after an exciting career in the fighting line in the South African War, was an event which naturally called for some special recognition, and on Friday afternoon last week, at parade, a formal welcome home was extended to him, at the Central Police Station, the pleasant little function being largely attended by the soldier's former comrades.

In 1896 he joined the Grenadier Guards, and in 1898 he went to Egypt, going through the Egyptian campaign, and was present at the battle of Omdurman. He took his discharge in January, 1899, and in March the same year he became attached to the Bootle police force.

"I was called up on the 9th October last, left Bootle on the 12th October, and reported at London on the 17th October. I sailed from Southampton on board the "Gworka" on the 21st of the same month, reaching Capetown on the 15th November. On arriving there, I, along with the Brigade, was ordered to the Orange River, where we joined Lord Methuen's column. We were kept busy for some time practising night attacks and doing night outpost duty. The column then left Orange River camp for Fingham's Farm (Whiteputts), 12 miles distant, and staying here only 24 hours we moved on to just outside Belmont, our destination being reached about 9 p.m. Here we bivouacked, without tents or blankets, and lay on the ground singing and amusing ourselves as best we could until 12 night. From a reconnaissance made, the Boers were found to be strongly entrenched in a range of koppies about five miles in length. About 12 45 a.m. orders were given to move towards the Boer position. On reaching the koppies, on the summits of which the Boers were, we formed up in fighting order. The night was very dark, there being no moon. Orders were given to attack the position just as day was breaking. When about 500 yards distant the Boers opened a very heavy rifle fire. We lay down sheltering behind the grass and furze where such shelter could be got, and had fired about 10 rounds when the order was given to fix bayonets and charge. On rising to the charge I received a shot in the left leg, the bullet going right through. I kept going on about 30 or 40 paces at the double when I was struck with a bullet in the right thigh. This bullet has not been extracted, and remains in the thigh. Another shot went through my right leg, and immediately after parts of an exploding shell struck me on the left side of the stomach and both thighs, giving me a severe shock. I was then about five or six paces from the Boers, who could be plainly seen when aiming at our troops. I am quite positive I did as much damage to the Boers as was done to me before I was put out of action. I was unable to stand, and lay down while the regiment pressed on, driving the enemy from their position. I was lying where I fell for ten hours without food or attendance beyond the dressing one of my comrades gave my wounds. I was conveyed in the ambulance back to Belmont, where one of the bullets was extracted. Next afternoon I, along with other wounded men, was trained on to the Field Hospital at orange River. I was unconscious part of the time while at this hospital. I remained here about a fortnight, and was then removed to the Base Hospital at Capetown. About the 25th of January I was discharged from hospital, and after spending four days in Capetown was again sent on to Modder River, where Lord Roberts had now arrived.

[Extracts from The Bootle Times, 21st July, 1900]
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THE WAR FUND.
BOOTLE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.

Amount already acknowledge £2,578 15s 5d. Lamb Bros. (37th weekly), 6s. Per L.C. and Midland Bank - Employes Brown and Wallace (2 weeks) £1 13s 6d; employes Allan Line Engine Works (35th and 36th donation), £2 3s 6d - £3 17d. Per Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank, Strand-road - Employes United Grain Elevator Co. (3 weeks) £2 16s . E. Hutchinson (24th weekly), £5. Total £2,590 15s 1d.

[Bootle Times, 28th July, 1900]
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No. 683, Private C. Murphy, F Co., 1st King's Liverpool Regiment, "a Bootle gentleman," wrote from Standertown, on 9th July, 1900. He had sent his chocolate box home. "Last Sunday I was a witness of a very sad accident. A patrol of the 5th Dragoons was patrolling in line with us. They were about 1½ miles to our left, we on the right, on a Sunday afternoon. One poor fellow's horse stumbled crossing a spruit. He tried to jump out of the saddle, but his foot was caught in his stirrup. He was dragged for about two miles. Of course the horse took fright, and galloped away over the country. The stirrup broke at last, but he was in an awful state; in fact he died before we could get him to hospital......We buried him next morning rolled up in his blanket.
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A Wounded Bootle Volunteer.
Private John Youd, who was severely wounded in the action at Gelux Farm on the night of the 24th instant, belongs to the 4th V.B. Bootle Volunteers (Special Service Company), who went out in the Avondale Castle, on the 23rd of February last, from Southampton for the Cape, and served under General Buller. This brave and gallant young man, who is 21 years of age, was the sole support of his mother, who is a widow (her husband having been drowned at sea), residing in Southey-street, Bootle, and she is in needy circumstances. The sudden news of her son's mishap has quite prostrated her with grief. The first indication she had of the disaster was from the newspaper reports which appeared on Tuesday last. Private Youd is a worthy, steady and industrious young fellow, and has won the respect of the officers and men of the 4th, who, with all his friends, are anxiously awaiting further news as to his condition. Sergt. F. A. George, of the 4th V.B., is invalided home from the front and is now with his regiment at Perham Down Camp, on Salisbury Plains.

[The Bootle Times, 1st September, 1900]

* William John Aldcroft Youd, son of William Youd and Emma Jane (Roberts) Youd, was born at 32, Coniston-street, Everton, on 7th June, 1879. He later married Lily, this, seemingly, some time after his injury; his date of death is not presently known.
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A POETIC VOLUNTEER.

The following verses, composed by a Bootle Volunteer campaigning in South Africa, have been received by a gentleman in Bootle: -

Dear chum, at home this Christmas-time,
Accept best wishes from a far-off clime,
From your loving chum across the foam,
Who never forgets those at home.

I may be thousands of miles away,
But I'll think of you on that happy day;
When all the world seems full of fun
Give a kind thought to your absent chum.

I am thinking of home, but the hours go slow,
As I pace up and down on my lone sentry-go,
Whilst the lightning flashes and the thunder roars,
And facing the rain is worse than facing the Boers.

But I hope very soon en route I shall be
For England and home far o'er the sea;
Then for the sacrifice here I have made
In the good time to come I'll be amply repaid.

Don't forget to tell all my friends
Their chum in the Transvaal his best wishes sends,
For a right merry Christmas with a lot of good cheer,
And naught but prosperity throughout the new year.

Blandsfontein, Dec. 2nd, 1900
C. D. J.

[The author of the above "verses" could be Private C. Jones]