Tonpentre, South Africa War

The following letter was sent by Private Sam Baker, of the South Wales Borderers, to a member of the Cory Workman's Brass Band, Pentre, of which Private Baker was formerly a member. The letter is written from Karree Camp. He says: "You must think me very ungrateful or negligent for not writing ere the present time after the manly way you treated me on leaving, but I am sure of forgiveness when I let you know how I am situated. In the first place, writing material has been very scarce; in fact, I could not get any for money, and in the second place I am not much of a hand at writing letters. I can handle my shooting iron a great deal better than I can the pen, and some of you old hands know that I am speaking the truth. I think a great deal of our band, and it is only natural that I should when you come to think a little, for I was in it when a boy, and again when a man; in fact, I have spent the greatest part of my life among you fellows and there is nothing that would please me more than to see the old band on the top of the tree. So buck up lads, and win a few prizes, and then you can send me the 'British Bandsman' or the 'Cornet,' that is if there will be any good news about the old band; if not, you had better not send it because it will only put me out of sorts, and if that occurs

and I would not like to do that. I have been in three engagements and have escaped without a scratch up to the present time. I am getting quite used to bullets now, especially in the last engagement when they were dropping around us like fury. I can't make out how we escaped with such little loss. I put it down to the cool, calm and collected way we went to business and to the bad markmanship of the Boers. I will now try to give you a bird's eye view of the battle of Karree Hill. We left a place called Glen about 10 a.m. on 29th March, and advanced very cautiously towards here. We expected fighting, so we were served out with an extra 30 rounds a man, making altogether 150. My Company, with others, was in the firing line, and advanced practically on an open plain. A few minutes before we came under fire we could see the bullets tearing up the ground in front of us, but on we went thinking of nothing but of taking the position. We got to within 600 or 700 yards, and here we received a rather severe check. We had to lie down for about two hours under fire, but the artillery was firing over our heads all the time and keeping their guns well employed. Had it not been for the artillery, I don't think we should have taken the position. After about two more hours hard fighting we advanced and fairly swept them away. Off they went on horseback and our cavalry after them. It was now getting dark, and our fellows were forced to retire, and the battle was won by the 7th Brigade. Now, lads, for a little bit of the truth. We have been half starved ever since we left Cape Town. I have been fairly reeling; we have been too weak to do anything, and now we are here we are not served much better. We get bread served out to us here - about half a pound a day, and we are supposed to get a pound of bread and a pound of meat. But do we get it? No. Mind, we don't get anything with the bread and meat, only a drop of tea or coffee. We have not seen a "spud" or a bit of rice since we left the ship. I am

The only chance we have to get a bit of extra bread or anything else is when we come across a town, and that is not very often. I have given as much as two shillings for a loaf of bread which could be got in England for sixpence, and tobacco is very scarce. You see in the papers at home that we are living like fighting cocks, but that is a lie. I expect by the time you get this letter we will have fought another battle. We can see the enemy in front of us, they are about 10 miles from here, and we are anxious to get at them.

(The Rhondda Leader, Saturday 26th May 1900)
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On Saturday week [7.3.1903] the death occurred of Private George Perrott, who died at the residence of his sister, Mrs. Rowlands, at 19, Queen Street, Ton, from pneumonia. Deceased had been for 14 years in the 41st (Welsh Regiment), and only got off the Reserve list a fortnight before his death. During that time he spent several years in India. On the outbreak of hostilities he was ordered out to South Africa and went through the whole campaign, being present at six general engagements, and was wounded three times. On his return he received an enthusiastic reception at Tonypandy, and subsequently he resided with his sister. Since his return he had not been in the best of health, and about ten days prior to his decease he contracted pneumonia. He was a single man, 35 years of age, and latterly had been working at the Bwllfa Colliery. For his services in South Africa he received the late Queen's medal with six bars, and was one of the 24 selected to receive the pipes given by Queen Alexandra to the regiment. He was laid up with enteric fever when the chocolate boxes were distributed, but he received it about a fortnight before his death, and the King's medal will also be forwarded to his relatives. The funeral took place on Wednesday at Lethrddu Cemetery, Trealaw. Several of his old comrades acted as bearers, and a number of the 3rd (Pentre) detachment of Volunteers and the band turned out. Among the wreaths sent were one from his old comrades who fought with him side by side; one from Mr. D. J. Charles, reporter; and another from Mr. Auckland, Llanelly, late of Pentre. The Revs. J. Mathews, Pentre, and E. Richards, Tonypandy, officiated. At the graveside the usual custom at a military funeral of firing three volleys was gone through., the scene at the graveside being most affecting. The chief mourners included the father, brother, and three sisters.

(The Rhondda Leader, Saturday 14th March 1903)