Post by BereniceUK on Apr 6, 2017 5:03:26 GMT
Names of men associated with Waterloo who saw service in South Africa -
Doctor T. Taylor Bark Civil surgeon
Lieutenant G. Bingham 4th V.B. King's Liverpool Regiment
W. Holmes 2nd V.B. King's Liverpool Regiment
Lieutenant Arthur Kyrke-Smith King's Liverpool Regiment
Private Edward Lightfoot Natal Carbineers
Private Harry Sunderland 1st South Lancashire Regiment
C. G. Walker 2nd V.B. King's Liverpool Regiment
G. F. Walker 2nd V.B. King's Liverpool Regiment
Trooper J. R. Wheeler 29th Company Imperial Yeomanry
A. Wright Duke of Lancaster's Company Imperial Yeomanry
_____________________________________________________________
A FORMER WATERLOO RESIDENT IN LADYSMITH.
Private Edward Lightfoot, of the Natal Carabineers, and formerly of Mount-pleasant, Waterloo, writes from the Carabineers' Camp, Ladysmith, December 28, 1899, as follows : - We have just been told we can send one letter each of half a sheet. It costs us 2s. 6d. each to send, and I don't know how they are going through. We removed our camp about 300 yards from where it was - more under cover. The Boers have put about 7,000 or 8,000 shells into Ladysmith since Lombard's Kop, but have done very little damage. We got a shell into our squadron horse lines on the 18th of this month, when we were at early morning stables at 5.30. It went through one horse and then burst, and killed ten more, and killed four men and wounded three. Billy Buxton, of the band, was killed. A piece of shell hit him over the heart and went right through him ; you could get your fist into the hole. Miller of our squadron, had his side ripped open and his leg taken off. They were both killed outright. Miller is the chap I brought back from Lombard's Kop on my horse. The other two belonged to Dundee. They were at our lines drawing horse feed. One named Elliott, only 16 years old, had both legs taken off at the top, and the other, named Smith, was shot through the body ; these two lived for about an hour. Our lines were like a slaughter house. There was blood, flesh, legs, khaki, and dead horses all over the place. There were a few of the 5th Lancers officers wounded a few days afterwards, and another shell killed seven of the Gloucesters and wounded eight. Yesterday there was one officer killed and seven wounded of the Devons. "Tommy" got hit on the near hind leg by the shell that burst in our lines. All the hair was singed off his legs, and his tail was all frizzled up ; he had a narrow escape. He has been in the sick lines since, but I think he will be all right again in a day or two. I was entering the lines when the shell burst just above my head, and when it burst all went forward. We have a hospital on neutral ground at the foot of Umbulwana. Intombi Spruit is its name. There are also some women and children from here who went there for safety.
I don't know what Buller is doing ; we hear his guns sometimes. We get no news, and we have been out of the world since the beginning of November.
We are all heartily sick of this. We don't have much to do and that is one good thing, for we are not strong enough to do it if we had. None of us could do a day's work. We get every day dry bread, four pannikins of tea or coffee, which isn't worth drinking, and a little boiled trek ox and rice, but no vegetables whatever and no milk, jam, or butter. We do get two ounces of sugar a day, and a little "poop" for breakfast. Cigarettes are 4s. for a 3d. packet, milk is a tin when you can get it, home-made jam 3s. for a pickle bottle full ; matches 3s. a packet ; sugar 1s. a pound ; and candles 2s. 6d. a packet. Eight pounds of potatoes were sold on the markets last Saturday for 30s. I'll bet you won't credit this, but I can assure you it is a fact. Two ducks fetched 21s., and there won't be anything to be had soon at any price. The water here is like mud, but we manage to filter it a little. We had a bit of what you call plum pudding on Christmas Day, I could eat it like bread, and you know how little of the proper article used to satisfy me. We are all awfully hard up for riding breeches. What we have are nearly washed or worn away, and are patched all over, and there are none to be bought.
(Bootle Times, 3 February 1900)
Names mentioned in the letter are: -
410 Trooper William Buxton Natal Carbineers Killed by shellfire on 18 December 1899
_____________________________________________________________
LETTER FROM A WATERLOO RESERVIST.
Mr. J. Spencer, of the surveyor's department, Waterloo Town Hall, has received the following letter from Private Sunderland, one of his former colleagues and now at the front : -
Estcourt,
December 29th, 1899.
Dear Spencer, - I write you these few lines hoping that you are all quite well as it leaves me at present. This is a very nice place only for the sun. It is very hot just now. We are only a few miles off Ladysmith. There is plenty to do day and night to keep us out of the sun, so that we won't get a tap on the head and send us dotty. I think we will be at Ladysmith before you get this letter, so I don't think there is any more to say at present. Remember me to all, wishing you all a happy New Year.
(Bootle Times, 3 February 1900)
_____________________________________________________________
CAPT. KYRKE-SMITH.
Another Farewell Supper and Presentation.
If feting, feasting, and presentations are tokens of good-will, Captain Kyrke-Smith and those men accompanying him to South Africa can boast no narrow circle of friends. To the number of farewell suppers, which they have attended of late, must be added that which took place on Monday evening at the City Hall, Eberle-street, the men on this occasion being attired in khaki. Colonel J. W. de Silva presided, and on his right and left were two of the principal guests, namely, Captain Kyrke-Smith and Major J. J. Thomas. Among the telegrams and letters read by Captain Concannon, the mess president, regretting inability to attend was a telegram from Major-General Thackwell, C.H., in which he wished the valiant party every success and a safe return. Captain Concannon proposed the Queen. Colonel De Silva, in submitting the toast, "Captain Kyrke-Smith and our section," said he had the privilege of proposing the health of Captain Kyrke-Smith, Major Thomas, and the men going to the front. In Captain Kyrke-Smith he had one of the youngest and most zealous officers, who he was sure would look after the men of the 4th Liverpool section and also the men of the Special Service Company going to the front were not only reflecting great credit upon the regiments to which they belonged, but, he ventured to say, would help to uphold the respect in which the troops of the British Empire were held by the enemy. At this period, Colonel De Silva made a useful presentation of a beautifully oxidised repeating watch to Captain Kyrke-Smith, a gift from his brother officers. The officers present included Colonel J. W. De Silva, Lieutenant-Colonel T. B. Walker, Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel Fleetwood, Captains Denton, A.M. Knox, W. H. Scott, J. C. Ward Oversby, Hampshire, T. D. Vernon, and Captain Rev. J. Williams. The guests were Major Thomas, Major C. C. Leslie, Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel Limrick, Mr. A. E. Chevalier, Colonel John Pilkington, Surgeon-Lieut.-Colonel Wills, Major Barker, etc. During the evening the regimental band, under the direction of Mr. T. Hubbert, played selections of music.
(Waterloo & Crosby Herald, 3 February 1900)
_____________________________________________________________
Off to the War.
Among the men of the Duke of Lancaster's Company of the Imperial Yeomanry sailing from Liverpool on Sunday morning were Privates T. Job and Radford (Crosby), and A. Wright (Waterloo). - The section for active service of the 2nd V.B. King's (Liverpool) Regiment, sails on Thursday next from Southampton, in the Avondale. The section, which will be in the charge of Sergeant Costain, of Blundellsands, will include three Waterloo men - Messrs. G. F. and C. G. Walker, sons of Mr. S. Walker, jeweller, South-road, and Mr. W. Holmes, son of Mr. W. H. Holmes, South-road. Mr. C. G. Walker has been for some time in the employment of Mr. T. B. Neale, timber merchant, Blundellsands, and this gentleman has promised not only to keep his place open, but to pay Mr. Walker's salary during his absence. Our local "gentlemen in khaki" will probably leave Waterloo on Tuesday next. At the time of writing the hour of departure was unknown. - At the annual dinner of the Shooting Club of the A Company 2nd V.B. King's (Liverpool) Regiment, on Saturday evening, Private J. Walker, brother of the above-named Volunteers, carried off several prizes for shooting, including the silver cup, which, having been won three years in succession, now becomes Mr. Walker's property. There was a close contest for the cup, between its present possessor and Sergeant Wattleworth.
(Waterloo & Crosby Herald, 17 February 1900)
_____________________________________________________________
The Messrs. Walker and Holmes, the local members of the 2nd Liverpool Volunteer Detachment selected for active service, left Waterloo on Sunday evening, and their fellow-townsmen will wish them God-speed and a safe return. The trio entrained about 8-30, and had a magnificent "send-off," by close upon 100 of their friends, who had assembled at the railway station, many of whom accompanied the young men to Liverpool, where they took train for Warrington. On Wednesday the detachment travelled to Southampton, setting sail for South Africa on Thursday in the Avondale. Although eager for the fray, Waterloo's representatives at the front do not intend to lose sight of home, as orders have been received by a local newsagent to forward a copy of the "Herald" to Cape Town week by week.
(Waterloo & Crosby Herald, 24 February 1900)
_____________________________________________________________
WITH GENERAL BULLER.
"To Hold Gun Hill at All Costs."
Letter from the Front.
Mr. James Spencer, Waterloo, has received the following letter from a friend at the Front : -
"Hattings Camp,
"January 30th, 1900,
"Dear Chum, - I write you these few lines hoping that you are quite well, as it leaves me at present. We have just come in from the front, and we had a lively time of it. It has been one of the Largest fights yet in the country. We were fighting for nine days without a stop, and General Buller gave our brigade orders to hold gun Hill at all costs so he could get a convoy into Ladysmith, and he got it there with about 500 killed and wounded. My regiment came out with three men and two officers killed and 45 wounded. We had a parade this morning for General Buller, and he gave us a grand hand for good work on the nine days' fighting. We are about to move off again towards Ladysmith. I think we will be in the thick of it in about another week's time, so that you will see the papers ; you can get more news at home than we can get here. I had two near shaves myself on Gun Hill; and a fair view of the Boer gun called the Pom-Pom. It sends a lot of shells at once, and they do not burst till they are very nearly cold; they might stop half-an-hour .....d they burst. I am sorry to hear that Liverpool got on so badly up to the present. I don't think there is any more to say at present, so remember me to all the boys. - From yours,
"HARRY SUNDERLAND,
"No. 3114, F Company, 1st South Lancashire Regiment, Field Forces, South Africa."
(Waterloo & Crosby Herald, 3 March 1900)
_____________________________________________________________
WAR FUND ENTERTAINMENT AT WATERLOO.
The last but one of the attractive series of entertainments held weekly at the Waterloo Town Hall in aid of the widows and orphans of the soldiers killed in the Transvaal War, took place on Saturday evening, when there was an encouraging attendance, the southern end of the district being particularly well represented. Of course this is only what was to be expected when it is remembered that the programme was assuming the form of a dramatic performance, kindly arranged by Mr. J. A. Rutherford, and given by the Seaforth Amateur Pantomime Company. No less than three plays were down for presentation, the first being a brightly written little farce by Wilmot Harrison and entitled "Once a Week," the various characters being ably taken as follows : - Jeremiah Jinks (a journeyman tailor), Mr. J. Forshaw ; Nathaniel Nibbs (a lawyer's clerk), Mr. Arthur Broadbridge ; Bagsley (a grocer), Mr. Richard Lewis ; Mrs. Jowler (a lodging-house keeper), Mrs. W. T. Jackson ; and Arethusa (a maid of all work), Miss Milles. It was much appreciated by those present, the local allusions being particularly amusing and much enjoyed. The chief interest of the evening, however, centred round the production of Fraser Wood's entertaining drama "In the Eyes of the World," in which Mr. Henry Harding sustained the part of Richard Carlton with marked success, and Mr. J. W. Yates assumed the role of Horatio Parr in a manner securing him the loud plaudits of his hearers. Lord Wilfrid Pontefract found a painstaking representative in Mr. Jean Raynor, Mr. Lloyd Timothy causing the greatest merriment as Wilks, Carlton's servant. Miss M. A. Forde made the most of the character of Lady Mabel Wendover, and her capable and realistic acting came in for praise on every hand. The last piece on the triple bill was "Found in a Four-wheeler," in which Mr. Jean Raynor, Mr. J. A. Rutherford, Mrs. J. A. Rutherford, and Miss Merrifield all distinguished themselves, especially the first named, who delineated the part of the cockney cabby with a faithfulness of detail that cannot be too highly praised. By the kindness of Mr. Harry Pennington, Mr. Sam Hill, acting manager of the Muncaster Theatre, Bootle, supervised the erection of the scenery, lent by Mr. R. J. Hudson, of Bankhall, through Mr. E. Pershouse, thus assisting in no slight degree in bringing about the ultimate success of the performance. - On the motion of the chairman, Mr. G. D. Killey,
(Bootle Times, 24 March 1900)
_____________________________________________________________
LETTER FROM SOUTH AFRICA.
A WATERLOO GUNNER'S EXPERIENCES.
Colr-Sergeant Waddington, of the 4th V.B. King's Liverpool Regiment, and who resides in East-street, Waterloo, on Monday received another letter from a Waterloo gunner, who a few weeks ago accompanied Colonel Saltmarshe to South Africa.
"Natal Brigade Division, R.G.A. Field Force, South Africa. March 30th.
Dear Jack, - I am very pleased to inform you all that we have arrived at the front. We left Capetown on 21st March, and arrived at Durban 29th, thence on to Ladysmith via Pietermaritzburg and Colenso. We stayed at Colenso an hour, and went on and saw Lieutenant Roberts' grave; it is not far from the railway line. We also saw the place where the guns were lost by Colonel Long. There are graves all over the place. All the places where most of the fighting was done were pointed out to us by men at Colenso Camp who were in the engagements. Some of the Dublins and Leinsters are there. There is no doubt about it, General Buller had his work cut out to enter Ladysmith. On every mountain the trenches are arranged that the Boers could go from one to another without our men seeing them. Our train, of course, came right through the hills that the Boers had lately held. Buller's force (as you know) came in on the other side of town. We saw destruction everywhere outside, but the town itself is not greatly damaged. The town hall is the worst; that is in ruins. We are camped about four miles north-west of Ladysmith on the road to Elandslaagte. Buller is there, and some of his officers ride over nearly every day. Captain Read (who had to save the gun at Colenso) was here yesterday to see Colonel Saltmarshe. The captain was under the colonel's command at Seaforth. We have the naval guns, and are known as the Natal Brigade Division, R.G.A., and have to look out for Buller's next attack. I hope we shall give a good account of ourselves. We can see the Biggarsberg Mountains plainly from here. I believe the Boers are at the back of them and at Newcastle. We have a fine camp here close to the place where the Gloucesters and the Mountain Battery were lost. We can get good water one mile distant and our food is very good. We get bread from Ladysmith twice a week and fresh meat every other day. Provisions are very dear in the canteen - almost out of range of Tommy's pocket, but still we manage to rub along quite contentedly. How are things going on at Waterloo. I have not received any letters yet. Hope you are all well. - Yours truly, Jack."
(Bootle Times, 5 May 1900)
_____________________________________________________________
Doctor T. Taylor Bark Civil surgeon
Lieutenant G. Bingham 4th V.B. King's Liverpool Regiment
W. Holmes 2nd V.B. King's Liverpool Regiment
Lieutenant Arthur Kyrke-Smith King's Liverpool Regiment
Private Edward Lightfoot Natal Carbineers
Private Harry Sunderland 1st South Lancashire Regiment
C. G. Walker 2nd V.B. King's Liverpool Regiment
G. F. Walker 2nd V.B. King's Liverpool Regiment
Trooper J. R. Wheeler 29th Company Imperial Yeomanry
A. Wright Duke of Lancaster's Company Imperial Yeomanry
_____________________________________________________________
A FORMER WATERLOO RESIDENT IN LADYSMITH.
Private Edward Lightfoot, of the Natal Carabineers, and formerly of Mount-pleasant, Waterloo, writes from the Carabineers' Camp, Ladysmith, December 28, 1899, as follows : - We have just been told we can send one letter each of half a sheet. It costs us 2s. 6d. each to send, and I don't know how they are going through. We removed our camp about 300 yards from where it was - more under cover. The Boers have put about 7,000 or 8,000 shells into Ladysmith since Lombard's Kop, but have done very little damage. We got a shell into our squadron horse lines on the 18th of this month, when we were at early morning stables at 5.30. It went through one horse and then burst, and killed ten more, and killed four men and wounded three. Billy Buxton, of the band, was killed. A piece of shell hit him over the heart and went right through him ; you could get your fist into the hole. Miller of our squadron, had his side ripped open and his leg taken off. They were both killed outright. Miller is the chap I brought back from Lombard's Kop on my horse. The other two belonged to Dundee. They were at our lines drawing horse feed. One named Elliott, only 16 years old, had both legs taken off at the top, and the other, named Smith, was shot through the body ; these two lived for about an hour. Our lines were like a slaughter house. There was blood, flesh, legs, khaki, and dead horses all over the place. There were a few of the 5th Lancers officers wounded a few days afterwards, and another shell killed seven of the Gloucesters and wounded eight. Yesterday there was one officer killed and seven wounded of the Devons. "Tommy" got hit on the near hind leg by the shell that burst in our lines. All the hair was singed off his legs, and his tail was all frizzled up ; he had a narrow escape. He has been in the sick lines since, but I think he will be all right again in a day or two. I was entering the lines when the shell burst just above my head, and when it burst all went forward. We have a hospital on neutral ground at the foot of Umbulwana. Intombi Spruit is its name. There are also some women and children from here who went there for safety.
I don't know what Buller is doing ; we hear his guns sometimes. We get no news, and we have been out of the world since the beginning of November.
We are all heartily sick of this. We don't have much to do and that is one good thing, for we are not strong enough to do it if we had. None of us could do a day's work. We get every day dry bread, four pannikins of tea or coffee, which isn't worth drinking, and a little boiled trek ox and rice, but no vegetables whatever and no milk, jam, or butter. We do get two ounces of sugar a day, and a little "poop" for breakfast. Cigarettes are 4s. for a 3d. packet, milk is a tin when you can get it, home-made jam 3s. for a pickle bottle full ; matches 3s. a packet ; sugar 1s. a pound ; and candles 2s. 6d. a packet. Eight pounds of potatoes were sold on the markets last Saturday for 30s. I'll bet you won't credit this, but I can assure you it is a fact. Two ducks fetched 21s., and there won't be anything to be had soon at any price. The water here is like mud, but we manage to filter it a little. We had a bit of what you call plum pudding on Christmas Day, I could eat it like bread, and you know how little of the proper article used to satisfy me. We are all awfully hard up for riding breeches. What we have are nearly washed or worn away, and are patched all over, and there are none to be bought.
(Bootle Times, 3 February 1900)
Names mentioned in the letter are: -
410 Trooper William Buxton Natal Carbineers Killed by shellfire on 18 December 1899
_____________________________________________________________
LETTER FROM A WATERLOO RESERVIST.
Mr. J. Spencer, of the surveyor's department, Waterloo Town Hall, has received the following letter from Private Sunderland, one of his former colleagues and now at the front : -
Estcourt,
December 29th, 1899.
Dear Spencer, - I write you these few lines hoping that you are all quite well as it leaves me at present. This is a very nice place only for the sun. It is very hot just now. We are only a few miles off Ladysmith. There is plenty to do day and night to keep us out of the sun, so that we won't get a tap on the head and send us dotty. I think we will be at Ladysmith before you get this letter, so I don't think there is any more to say at present. Remember me to all, wishing you all a happy New Year.
(Bootle Times, 3 February 1900)
_____________________________________________________________
CAPT. KYRKE-SMITH.
Another Farewell Supper and Presentation.
If feting, feasting, and presentations are tokens of good-will, Captain Kyrke-Smith and those men accompanying him to South Africa can boast no narrow circle of friends. To the number of farewell suppers, which they have attended of late, must be added that which took place on Monday evening at the City Hall, Eberle-street, the men on this occasion being attired in khaki. Colonel J. W. de Silva presided, and on his right and left were two of the principal guests, namely, Captain Kyrke-Smith and Major J. J. Thomas. Among the telegrams and letters read by Captain Concannon, the mess president, regretting inability to attend was a telegram from Major-General Thackwell, C.H., in which he wished the valiant party every success and a safe return. Captain Concannon proposed the Queen. Colonel De Silva, in submitting the toast, "Captain Kyrke-Smith and our section," said he had the privilege of proposing the health of Captain Kyrke-Smith, Major Thomas, and the men going to the front. In Captain Kyrke-Smith he had one of the youngest and most zealous officers, who he was sure would look after the men of the 4th Liverpool section and also the men of the Special Service Company going to the front were not only reflecting great credit upon the regiments to which they belonged, but, he ventured to say, would help to uphold the respect in which the troops of the British Empire were held by the enemy. At this period, Colonel De Silva made a useful presentation of a beautifully oxidised repeating watch to Captain Kyrke-Smith, a gift from his brother officers. The officers present included Colonel J. W. De Silva, Lieutenant-Colonel T. B. Walker, Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel Fleetwood, Captains Denton, A.M. Knox, W. H. Scott, J. C. Ward Oversby, Hampshire, T. D. Vernon, and Captain Rev. J. Williams. The guests were Major Thomas, Major C. C. Leslie, Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel Limrick, Mr. A. E. Chevalier, Colonel John Pilkington, Surgeon-Lieut.-Colonel Wills, Major Barker, etc. During the evening the regimental band, under the direction of Mr. T. Hubbert, played selections of music.
(Waterloo & Crosby Herald, 3 February 1900)
_____________________________________________________________
Off to the War.
Among the men of the Duke of Lancaster's Company of the Imperial Yeomanry sailing from Liverpool on Sunday morning were Privates T. Job and Radford (Crosby), and A. Wright (Waterloo). - The section for active service of the 2nd V.B. King's (Liverpool) Regiment, sails on Thursday next from Southampton, in the Avondale. The section, which will be in the charge of Sergeant Costain, of Blundellsands, will include three Waterloo men - Messrs. G. F. and C. G. Walker, sons of Mr. S. Walker, jeweller, South-road, and Mr. W. Holmes, son of Mr. W. H. Holmes, South-road. Mr. C. G. Walker has been for some time in the employment of Mr. T. B. Neale, timber merchant, Blundellsands, and this gentleman has promised not only to keep his place open, but to pay Mr. Walker's salary during his absence. Our local "gentlemen in khaki" will probably leave Waterloo on Tuesday next. At the time of writing the hour of departure was unknown. - At the annual dinner of the Shooting Club of the A Company 2nd V.B. King's (Liverpool) Regiment, on Saturday evening, Private J. Walker, brother of the above-named Volunteers, carried off several prizes for shooting, including the silver cup, which, having been won three years in succession, now becomes Mr. Walker's property. There was a close contest for the cup, between its present possessor and Sergeant Wattleworth.
(Waterloo & Crosby Herald, 17 February 1900)
_____________________________________________________________
The Messrs. Walker and Holmes, the local members of the 2nd Liverpool Volunteer Detachment selected for active service, left Waterloo on Sunday evening, and their fellow-townsmen will wish them God-speed and a safe return. The trio entrained about 8-30, and had a magnificent "send-off," by close upon 100 of their friends, who had assembled at the railway station, many of whom accompanied the young men to Liverpool, where they took train for Warrington. On Wednesday the detachment travelled to Southampton, setting sail for South Africa on Thursday in the Avondale. Although eager for the fray, Waterloo's representatives at the front do not intend to lose sight of home, as orders have been received by a local newsagent to forward a copy of the "Herald" to Cape Town week by week.
(Waterloo & Crosby Herald, 24 February 1900)
_____________________________________________________________
WITH GENERAL BULLER.
"To Hold Gun Hill at All Costs."
Letter from the Front.
Mr. James Spencer, Waterloo, has received the following letter from a friend at the Front : -
"Hattings Camp,
"January 30th, 1900,
"Dear Chum, - I write you these few lines hoping that you are quite well, as it leaves me at present. We have just come in from the front, and we had a lively time of it. It has been one of the Largest fights yet in the country. We were fighting for nine days without a stop, and General Buller gave our brigade orders to hold gun Hill at all costs so he could get a convoy into Ladysmith, and he got it there with about 500 killed and wounded. My regiment came out with three men and two officers killed and 45 wounded. We had a parade this morning for General Buller, and he gave us a grand hand for good work on the nine days' fighting. We are about to move off again towards Ladysmith. I think we will be in the thick of it in about another week's time, so that you will see the papers ; you can get more news at home than we can get here. I had two near shaves myself on Gun Hill; and a fair view of the Boer gun called the Pom-Pom. It sends a lot of shells at once, and they do not burst till they are very nearly cold; they might stop half-an-hour .....d they burst. I am sorry to hear that Liverpool got on so badly up to the present. I don't think there is any more to say at present, so remember me to all the boys. - From yours,
"HARRY SUNDERLAND,
"No. 3114, F Company, 1st South Lancashire Regiment, Field Forces, South Africa."
(Waterloo & Crosby Herald, 3 March 1900)
_____________________________________________________________
WAR FUND ENTERTAINMENT AT WATERLOO.
The last but one of the attractive series of entertainments held weekly at the Waterloo Town Hall in aid of the widows and orphans of the soldiers killed in the Transvaal War, took place on Saturday evening, when there was an encouraging attendance, the southern end of the district being particularly well represented. Of course this is only what was to be expected when it is remembered that the programme was assuming the form of a dramatic performance, kindly arranged by Mr. J. A. Rutherford, and given by the Seaforth Amateur Pantomime Company. No less than three plays were down for presentation, the first being a brightly written little farce by Wilmot Harrison and entitled "Once a Week," the various characters being ably taken as follows : - Jeremiah Jinks (a journeyman tailor), Mr. J. Forshaw ; Nathaniel Nibbs (a lawyer's clerk), Mr. Arthur Broadbridge ; Bagsley (a grocer), Mr. Richard Lewis ; Mrs. Jowler (a lodging-house keeper), Mrs. W. T. Jackson ; and Arethusa (a maid of all work), Miss Milles. It was much appreciated by those present, the local allusions being particularly amusing and much enjoyed. The chief interest of the evening, however, centred round the production of Fraser Wood's entertaining drama "In the Eyes of the World," in which Mr. Henry Harding sustained the part of Richard Carlton with marked success, and Mr. J. W. Yates assumed the role of Horatio Parr in a manner securing him the loud plaudits of his hearers. Lord Wilfrid Pontefract found a painstaking representative in Mr. Jean Raynor, Mr. Lloyd Timothy causing the greatest merriment as Wilks, Carlton's servant. Miss M. A. Forde made the most of the character of Lady Mabel Wendover, and her capable and realistic acting came in for praise on every hand. The last piece on the triple bill was "Found in a Four-wheeler," in which Mr. Jean Raynor, Mr. J. A. Rutherford, Mrs. J. A. Rutherford, and Miss Merrifield all distinguished themselves, especially the first named, who delineated the part of the cockney cabby with a faithfulness of detail that cannot be too highly praised. By the kindness of Mr. Harry Pennington, Mr. Sam Hill, acting manager of the Muncaster Theatre, Bootle, supervised the erection of the scenery, lent by Mr. R. J. Hudson, of Bankhall, through Mr. E. Pershouse, thus assisting in no slight degree in bringing about the ultimate success of the performance. - On the motion of the chairman, Mr. G. D. Killey,
(Bootle Times, 24 March 1900)
_____________________________________________________________
LETTER FROM SOUTH AFRICA.
A WATERLOO GUNNER'S EXPERIENCES.
Colr-Sergeant Waddington, of the 4th V.B. King's Liverpool Regiment, and who resides in East-street, Waterloo, on Monday received another letter from a Waterloo gunner, who a few weeks ago accompanied Colonel Saltmarshe to South Africa.
"Natal Brigade Division, R.G.A. Field Force, South Africa. March 30th.
Dear Jack, - I am very pleased to inform you all that we have arrived at the front. We left Capetown on 21st March, and arrived at Durban 29th, thence on to Ladysmith via Pietermaritzburg and Colenso. We stayed at Colenso an hour, and went on and saw Lieutenant Roberts' grave; it is not far from the railway line. We also saw the place where the guns were lost by Colonel Long. There are graves all over the place. All the places where most of the fighting was done were pointed out to us by men at Colenso Camp who were in the engagements. Some of the Dublins and Leinsters are there. There is no doubt about it, General Buller had his work cut out to enter Ladysmith. On every mountain the trenches are arranged that the Boers could go from one to another without our men seeing them. Our train, of course, came right through the hills that the Boers had lately held. Buller's force (as you know) came in on the other side of town. We saw destruction everywhere outside, but the town itself is not greatly damaged. The town hall is the worst; that is in ruins. We are camped about four miles north-west of Ladysmith on the road to Elandslaagte. Buller is there, and some of his officers ride over nearly every day. Captain Read (who had to save the gun at Colenso) was here yesterday to see Colonel Saltmarshe. The captain was under the colonel's command at Seaforth. We have the naval guns, and are known as the Natal Brigade Division, R.G.A., and have to look out for Buller's next attack. I hope we shall give a good account of ourselves. We can see the Biggarsberg Mountains plainly from here. I believe the Boers are at the back of them and at Newcastle. We have a fine camp here close to the place where the Gloucesters and the Mountain Battery were lost. We can get good water one mile distant and our food is very good. We get bread from Ladysmith twice a week and fresh meat every other day. Provisions are very dear in the canteen - almost out of range of Tommy's pocket, but still we manage to rub along quite contentedly. How are things going on at Waterloo. I have not received any letters yet. Hope you are all well. - Yours truly, Jack."
(Bootle Times, 5 May 1900)
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