South Africa War 1899-1902

AN UNFORTUNATE PRESTON FAMILY.
News has been received in Preston, from the War Office, of the death of Gunner Thomas Simpson, of the 16th Company, Southern Division, Royal Garrison Artillery, which took place at Klerksdorp, on December 27th. The deceased was only 27 years of age, and succumbed to an attack of meningitis, which had apparently developed suddenly, for in November he wrote to his parents stating that he was in the best of health, and expected to be home at Christmas. Gunner Simpson was the son of Wm. and Mary Simpson, of Schleswig-street, Preston, and late of Penwortham, and was the brother of Lance-Corporal Simpson, who was one of the Volunteer Active Service Company of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, and who died whilst coming home from the front.
(Chorley Guardian, 11 January 1902)
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VOLUNTEERS FOR THE FRONT.

LOCAL MEN IN TRAINING.

The third Active Service Company in connection with the 1st and 2nd Volunteer Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment are now in training at Fleetwood. The 2nd V.B. contingent arrived at Fulwood from Bolton on Monday, when 54 rank and file, together with two subalterns (Lieutenants Dobson and Shaw, of Bolton) were accepted, leaving later in the day for Fleetwood. The first V.B. men assembled at the depot, Preston, on Tuesday morning, and subsequently proceeded to the barracks, where they were medically examined by Major Raymond, R.A.M.C., and Mr. McKeague, civil surgeon. Thirty-four out of 47 passed the test, and joined their comrades at Fleetwood the same afternoon. The company is under the command of Captain Stowell (Chorley), who is specially qualified for his post, having had previous war experience in South Africa.

The names of the men from the 1st V.B. are as follow: -
From Preston: Sergt. G. W. Wright, 42, Herbert-street; Walter Morgan, West View House, Spa-brow; Charles Webb, 10, Duke-street; Arthur MacDougal, 34, Parker-street; W. Sandham, 97, Aqueduct-street; Herbert Dunderdale, 16, George-street; Richard Harrison, 43, Saul-street; John Ingham, 7, Richmond-street; Joseph Charles Sidebottom, 28, Ellen-street; Thomas Yates, 6, Plungington-road North; William Stephenson, 29, Vauxhall-road; John Robinson, 50, Elliott-street; John Winders, 345, North-road; James Catterall, 21, Langton-street; Richard Lancaster, 1, Cranborne-street; James Fairclough, 14, Churchill-street.

(Chorley Standard and District Advertiser, 15 February 1902)

Men from Chorley, Longridge, Horwich, Bamber Bridge, Out Rawcliffe, and Bolton were also named.
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RETURN OF THE NORTH LANCASHIRE MILITIA.
After an absence of two years and two months - 11 months having been spent in South Africa - the 3rd Battalion of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment returned on Saturday morning to its headquarters at Preston. At Southampton, it should be stated, Colonel Bonhote - who for medical reasons, and to his own and the regiment's great regret, was unfortunately prevented from accompanying his regiment to South Africa - came on board the Gaika, and received a perfect ovation from the men. He also accompanied the officers in their journey to Preston. The battalion, which numbered about 630, left Southampton at ten o'clock on Friday night in two trains. Colonel Pedder was in command, the other officers entraining being Colonel Bonhote, Major Cowper, Major Chambers, Captain Soppitt, Lieutenants Pilcher, Kearns, and Matthias, Captain and Adjutant Stable, Lieutenant and Quartermaster Kelly, Preparations were made at Crewe for serving the men with breakfast, owing to the kindness and forethought of the Guild Mayor of Preston (Lord Derby). The first train steamed into Crewe Station at 6-30, and the men, without leaving their carriages, were expeditiously supplied with meat pies, currant loaf, biscuits, and tea and coffee. "We were the luckiest regiment in South Africa," observed one, referring to the fewness of the losses they had sustained. Most of them had been
ENGAGED IN BLOCKHOUSE WORK,
which they confessed was very tedious. They had suffered very little indeed from illness. The men were in great spirits on the way. The only serious engagement with the enemy was one of mounted infantry on November 27th last, when Lieutenant Lyon and Private Fisher were killed, and the party were afterwards complimented by General French on their gallant start. The trains reached Preston much earlier than was expected, and after being kept outside for some time were drawn up in the station at 8-30. Fishergate was thronged with an enthusiastic multitude, especially in the neighbourhood of the approach to the railway station. When Colonel Pedder and the officers stepped on to the platform they were cordially greeted by Colonel Satterthwaite (the commandant of the 30th and 47th Regimental district), the Deputy Mayor (Alderman Roper), the Town Clerk, Major Little (chief constable), and others. The Deputy Mayor addressed the regiment, and said he was old enough to remember the return of the 3rd Royal Lancashire Militia
AFTER THE CRIMEAN WAR,
and he remembered the very hearty reception that was given to the Militia on their return to Preston. They knew that they volunteered in 1853-4 to go out for foreign service, and they knew that the men came back again after occupying the garrison out at Gibraltar for some considerable time. In February 1900, the same regiment, under a new name, volunteered for foreign service, and were under the command of Colonel Bonhote at Malta. They were then asked to go out to South Africa. Colonel Carter had read to him a letter he had received from the colonel, and in which he said "The men so far have done splendidly, and have won a good name wherever they have been - quite a decided credit to "Proud Preston." They had won the commendation of the general officer. Colonel Pedder was a Prestonian, and it was a double pleasure to him to find him coming back to take part, he hoped, in the Guild festivities. - Colonel Pedder, in responding, returned thanks for the hearty welcome and hospitality extended to the regiment. - The main approach to the station was securely barricaded, and eighty constables were on duty. Four of these were mounted, and a clear course was preserved with comparative ease. Arrangements had been made for the bands of the 1st V.B. L.N.L. and the 5th L.V.A. to head the procession to the barracks. Captain Lucas, from the barracks, was in charge of a body of East Lancashires sent down to act as an escort. A hearty cheer arose as the first strains of the band heralded the coming of the khaki-clad troops, and when the latter emerged into Fishergate shouts of welcome broke from the crowd, who were thicker here, perhaps, than at any other point. Right along Fishergate there were similar manifestations of delight, but the utmost good order prevailed, and the march was thoroughly orderly, the escort of East Lancashires and of police having in reality a very simple task. Flags were flying on the principal buildings, and handkerchiefs fluttered from nearly every window, while everyone joined in a special round of applause as the old familiar strains of
"STANLEY FOR EVER!"
arose. The regiment arrived at the Barracks about 9-30. Drawn up in the Barracks Square were the East and the North Lancashire depots, under Major Northcott, and the Lancashire Field Artillery and the 7th Depot, the R.F.A. under Major Strong. The men were paraded in front of the officers' mess, where a table had been placed, on which were the medals and ribbons. - Colonel Satterthwaite addressed the men, and then presented the active service medals to the regiment, and subsequently the regiment was demobilised, and the men free to do as their fancy led them.
AT CHORLEY.
A good quota of men has been furnished by Chorley to the regiment, and on arrival home by train the soldiers were cordially welcomed by relatives and friends. Standish-street was en fete, and there was considerable rejoicing at the return of the local khaki-clad men.

(Chorley Guardian, 22 March 1902)