Post by BereniceUK on Apr 15, 2017 13:35:01 GMT
ENTHUSIASTIC SEND-OFF AT BRINSCALL
On Friday night, December 29th [1899], a great amount of enthusiasm was shown in the village of Brinscall at the send-off of two reservists - F. Moore, of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, and T. Holden, of the First Scots Guards. Several collections were made amongst the villagers and friends of the men, F. Moore receiving a pipe, pouch, and tobacco from the Blue Brick and Dividend Society, a purse of gold from C. Wood Ltd., and employees, and a dressing-case from Mrs. Butterfield, Bull's Head Inn, and friends. T. Holden was also in receipt of pipe, pouch, and tobacco, and a purse from the Blue Brick and Dividend Society, and workmates, and a division was made of several amounts collected from different sources in the village. A procession was formed up to the station, the local band playing patriotic airs. As the train moved from the station, a lively scene was caused by the cheering of the crowd, the firing of fog signals, and a general waving of hats and handkerchiefs, together with the playing of suitable airs from the band.
(Chorley Guardian, 6.1.1900)
A BRINSCALL SOLDIER'S THOUGHTS IN BATTLE
Private J. Sumner, of the Scots Guards, writing from Modder River, on December 20th, to his mother, Mrs. Sumner, Brinscall-terrace, Brinscall, says - "I have got through so far without a scratch, though we have lost so many men in the four battles we have fought. I can't start to tell anything about it, only I don't like to see poor fellows blown to pieces about ten yards from me. It looks rather hard. Still, some of the bullets might have been meant for me, but some good hand has guarded them off. It's a terrible thing to have bullets flying round and dropping right in front of you; you only think of one thing - you think of dying. The last battle I was in at Magerfontein we lost 500 killed, without wounded but I think the Boers lost twice as many, for I heard one of our parsons, a Wesleyan, say he went into the Boers' position after the battle to see some of our wounded fellows, and he told us if we could have only seen inside the Boers' trenches men's wives and children along with them, England would never fire another shot. Perhaps it will be a long time before I return, if not you will soon hear if anything happens to me. We stop here for a month or two, so we shall get a rest. I have been at the front for over five weeks now, and all is well with me so far, thank God.
(Chorley Guardian, 20.1.1900)
On Friday night, December 29th [1899], a great amount of enthusiasm was shown in the village of Brinscall at the send-off of two reservists - F. Moore, of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, and T. Holden, of the First Scots Guards. Several collections were made amongst the villagers and friends of the men, F. Moore receiving a pipe, pouch, and tobacco from the Blue Brick and Dividend Society, a purse of gold from C. Wood Ltd., and employees, and a dressing-case from Mrs. Butterfield, Bull's Head Inn, and friends. T. Holden was also in receipt of pipe, pouch, and tobacco, and a purse from the Blue Brick and Dividend Society, and workmates, and a division was made of several amounts collected from different sources in the village. A procession was formed up to the station, the local band playing patriotic airs. As the train moved from the station, a lively scene was caused by the cheering of the crowd, the firing of fog signals, and a general waving of hats and handkerchiefs, together with the playing of suitable airs from the band.
(Chorley Guardian, 6.1.1900)
A BRINSCALL SOLDIER'S THOUGHTS IN BATTLE
Private J. Sumner, of the Scots Guards, writing from Modder River, on December 20th, to his mother, Mrs. Sumner, Brinscall-terrace, Brinscall, says - "I have got through so far without a scratch, though we have lost so many men in the four battles we have fought. I can't start to tell anything about it, only I don't like to see poor fellows blown to pieces about ten yards from me. It looks rather hard. Still, some of the bullets might have been meant for me, but some good hand has guarded them off. It's a terrible thing to have bullets flying round and dropping right in front of you; you only think of one thing - you think of dying. The last battle I was in at Magerfontein we lost 500 killed, without wounded but I think the Boers lost twice as many, for I heard one of our parsons, a Wesleyan, say he went into the Boers' position after the battle to see some of our wounded fellows, and he told us if we could have only seen inside the Boers' trenches men's wives and children along with them, England would never fire another shot. Perhaps it will be a long time before I return, if not you will soon hear if anything happens to me. We stop here for a month or two, so we shall get a rest. I have been at the front for over five weeks now, and all is well with me so far, thank God.
(Chorley Guardian, 20.1.1900)