An enlargement of the silver Presentation cups on the table.
Where are they now?
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From "High Peak News" dated Saturday 18 Oct 1902
sent by Susan Hatton
WIRKSWORTH AND THE RETURNED WARRIORS
An important function
Public presentations. A glorious event
The town en fete. Honouring the killed
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Wirksworth never does things by halves, and
it culminated all its kindly and patriotic
receptions of the returning warriors from the
front on Tuesday afternoon, when each of the
returned received a handsome token of the
town's esteem. There was a fund raised, it
will be remembered, for the purpose of giving
the warriors some permanent token, and a
considerable sum was quickly raised. The
outcome of the arrangements was a public
presentation and public evidence of thanks and
appreciation of their splendid services to the
town, to country, and King. The presentations
took place on Tuesday afternoon, at 3 o'clock,
in the Market Place, and in honour of the
auspicious occasion the town decorated
profusely, and all the elite turned out in full
strength to honour the occasion, while the
RESIDENTS AS ONE MAN
gave a general holiday. The weather was,
fortunately, appropriate for an outdoor
occasion and there was sunshine.
A stage had been erected in the Market Place
by the committee, and on the front of it was a
motto, as follows: "For God, for King, and
Country" in coloured letters on a white
ground. The stage was carpeted, and the
steps were also laid with cloth, and on a table
on the platform were the cups for presentation,
in full view of the assembly. The committee
for carrying out these arrangements were
Dr A E Broster,
Mr G Marsden,
Mr A de M Severne,
Councillors J Walker, J P,
G W Walker, and
C Barker,
Messrs Tait and
J K Fritchley.
Dr Broster, as chairman of the committee,
presided. He was supported on the platform
by
Mr H Chandos-Pole-Gell,J P (Hopton Hall),
Mrs Pole-Gell,
Captain Pole-Gell,
Mr H Walthall-Walthall, J P, ex-High-Sheriff (Alton Manor),
Mrs Broster,
Mrs Meade Waldo,
Miss E E Arkwright,
Mr F C Arkwright, D L, J P (Willersley),
Mrs and Miss Kathleen Arkwright,
Mr G H Wheatcroft, J P,
Mr and Mrs Blythwaite,
Mr J B Wood (Henley Hall, Salop),
Miss Wood,
Canon Gem (Vicar of Wirksworth,
the Misses Meade-Waldo,
Lieut. Price Wood,
Mr A F Hurt, J P (Alderwasley Hall),
Mrs and Miss Constance Hurt,
Lieut Arkwright and Mrs Arkwright,
Mr S Hurst,
Dr Harvey,
Councillor Walker, J P,
Mr A de M Severne,
Mis Crompton, etc
There was a contingent of the Wirksworth
Volunteers, "E" Company, as a guard of
honour round the sided of the stage, under
Captain C Barker Symonds, the officer commanding,
and Lieutenant Wheatcroft. There
was the Band of the United present, under the
conductorship of the Bandmaster Gallimore, and
during the ceremony they played:- March,
"Battle and the Breeze"; "Rule Britannia";
selection, "Songs of England"; march, "Hero
of Trafalgar"; march, "Red, White and Blue",
and other patriotic airs, including the National Anthem.
The cups were real gems. They were of very
chaste design of solid silver with a rich gold
lining. They stood on black pedestals. They
were made for the occasion, by Hunt and
Roskells, of London, and they had engraved
the following inscription:-"Presented to --
by his fellow-townsmen of Wirksworth, in
grateful acknowledgment of services rendered
to king in the South African War, 1899 and
1902"
THE PROCEEDINGS STARTED
by the Chairman addressing the crowd. He
had a hearty reception. He was pleased to see
such a large gathering to do honour to the
soldiers who had returned from the South
African war, and who had there served their
Queen, King, and Country. Many of the Wirksworth
men went out to the front and had
returned, some had served as regulars, some had
served in the Imperial Yeomanry, and some
had gone as Volunteers. Some had also gone
and taken part in the war as civilians, civilians
who had risked their lives and sacrificed home
comforts, and were ready to do their duty to
lay down their lives, that the honour of that
country might be maintained. It was no little
matter if they would only think of it for a man
to leave his home, his friends, his country, and
to fight in a foreign land, and on the chance
of being shot at any moment, and of never
returning to those friends and his country again.
But these men had dared all that, in fact they
had looked into the very jaws of death. They
had done nobly, and they were that day there
to recognise what these men had done. They
had gone through unspeakable hardships, and
they had borne sufferings with every patience,
and they had proved in the general conclusion
of the war that they had done everything nobly.
And those that they had left behind had never
had them out of their thought, and they had
gone through an immense amount of mental
suffering on their behalf, and now they were
heartily pleased for the safe return of these
soldiers. All that had gone out from the Wirksworth
district had returned with the exception
of three, and these never would return, for they
had found graves in South Africa. They would
not be lost sight of for the way they had nobly
sacrificed their lives in the late war everyone
there could not fail to extend sympathy to their
bereaved relatives. Moreover it was the intention
of all concerned to hand down their names
to posterity by the erection of a
MEMORIAL TABLET
in the Parish Church recording their services;
and he might tell them that he had a message
from Mr Crompton, who was sorry he could
not be present that day, but who wished to add
£10 towards the fund for the placing of this
tablet in the Parish Church. It had been the
wish of the committee in Wirksworth that every
soldier that returned should have some present
to mark their appreciation of his services when
called to fight for his country, and hence the
cups before them would be given to each
soldier (Applause)
Mr G Marsden said it was his happy duty
to place a resolutiom before them which he knew
they would entertain unanimously, and that
was to ask their esteemed and respected friend,
Mr Walthall, of Alton Manor, to present the
cups to the soldiers. (Applause)
Mr A De M Severne seconded, and said he
was very pleased indeed to be permitted to
second such a resolution, as they had the right
man in the right place in Mr Walthall. (Applause).
They all knew how he discharged his
public duties, and how he kindly and generously
supported charities and all the movements
for the furtherance and prosperiyu and welfare
of the people of that vicinity. He congratulated
the men on their safe return, and the duties
they had to do had been discharged very
faithfully, and had been watched with keen
interest by all their friends. Even at home the
little duties done by the people, if as faithfully
carried out, would be sure to bring about the
prospering of such a nation as this: indeed the
prosperity of that country depended on how
they feared God and honoured the King. (Applause).
Mr Walthall then made the presentations.
He thanked the proposer and seconder for the
resolution asking him to present the cups. He
felt highly flattered, and more so, as he did
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not think that he was the right man, as it
should have been, really, a lady, as they had no
Kitchener or Roberts among them to do
service. They were very handsome cups, and
he knew they would be duly appreciated by
the recipients. And it would show them that
they had never been forgotten while they had
been away. They had gone through many
hardships, but he was pleased they had not had
to go through such as the Crimean winter in
the Crimean war.
As each cup was presented there was
cheering from the populace.
The
LIST OF THE RECIPIENTS
and of the three deceased, was as follows:
Capt Pole Gell 2nd Coldstream Guards
Lieut. Hurt Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Lieut. Pryce Wood, 12th Prince of Wales's Royal Lancers
Lieut. B Arkwright, Derbyshire Imperial Yeomanry
Lieut. B Claxton, 1st Batt Imperial Yeomanry
Sergt Richard Casterton, 1st Derby Volunteer Company
Private Frank Hollingworth, Second Grenadier Guards
Private George H Moore, 3rd King's Royal Rifles
Private George H Walton, 3rd Grenadier Guards
Private Ernest Pearson, 1st Grenadier Guards
Private Edward Ault, 10th Royal Hussars
Gunner Walter Maskrey, 76th Battery Royal Field Artillery;
Private Joseph Brocklehurst, 5th Royal Field Artillery;
Driver Thomas Lee, 20th Company Army Service Corps;
Albert T Goodwin, Royal Army Medical Corps;
Trooper Isaac Walker, Derbyshire Imperial Yeomanry;
Trooper Corbett Bartlett, Derbyshire Imperial Yeomanry
Private Harry Lenton, 1st Derbyshire Regiment (Volunteer Company);
Private Edward Boden, 1st Derbyshire Regiment (Volunteer Company);
Private Harry Udale, Malta Mounted Light Infantry;
Lance Corp Joshua Greenhough, 1st Kings Royal Rifles (deceased);
Driver Albert Brough, 42nd Royal Field Artillery (deceased);
Private Thomas Sherrin, 1st Derbyshire Regiment (deceased)
Captain Pole-Gell, who was greeted with loud
applause, said it was his pleasing duty to thank
those who had subscribed for the handsome
cups, and the committee for the way in which
the presentation had been made to them. To
the members of the Wirksworth contingent of
the South African Field Force he must say
their reception as they returned was magnificent,
and for his part and that of the men he
knew it would always live in their memories.
But the cup would not only live in their memories,
but would be handed down when they were
gone, and, in fact, would never be forgotten
while ever the cup existed. He wished to take
that occasion to thank them for their proof of
affection to the soldiers at the front in the way
they had sent presents in clothing, newspapers,
and tobacco, and endless plum-puddings.
(Laughter). These plum-puddings, he might
say, were very comforting, and, in fact, every
thing they sent, and if they had only known
how those presents cheered them to do their
duty in the weary war just terminated they
would know that everything sent had been
fully appreciated. And for all that had been
sent he desired to thank everybody. He also
took the opportunity of thanking them on
behalf of the relatives of their dead comrades
they had left in South Africa. No doubt they
had been through a great deal of hardship, and
had had to suffer unusual endurance, but their
return home - well, if they had nothing else for
it the return home they had had at Wirksworth
both in the reception and in that presentation
MORE THAN COMPENSATED
them for all the duty they had had to
undertake in the war. He could not conclude without
referring to the Soldiers and Sailors Friendly
Association. It had done excellent work; it
had promised that the wives of soldiers at the
front should be cared for, and they had been
cared for, and words of his could not express
what he felt in thanking them all, both for
the reception of the cups and for their attendance
to the soldiers' wives and families while
they had been to war. Once more he thanked
them and Mr Walthall heartily. (Applause)
Canon Gem said he had duty to perform,
a brief duty and a pleasing one, and that was
that their best thanks be tendered to Mr
Walthall for the presentation of the cups to
the soldiers, those soldiers who had served
their King and their country well in south
Africa. Mr Walthall, he thought, could well
say that he had never taken a part in such an
interesting and historical ceremony as he had
that day in those presentations. And in
the crowd he saw around him he saw many
young fellows, and he hoped it would help
them to do their duty in any station of life
in which they might be placed and should
any occasion arise on which they could be
required to serve their country, he hoped they
would come forward in as hearty a manner as
Wirksworth had done during the late war in
South africa. And he hoped that
WIRKSWORTH WOULD ALWAYS
as heartily appreciate her soldier sons as they
had those taking part in the late war. Those
men that had gone to the front had laid themselves
open to death; they had self-sacrificed
everything; they had left their homes; and
their best thanks were due to them. And he
knew they would appreciate the little they had
done that day and at the time they returned
from the war.
Mr G H Wheatcroft seconded in an able
speech. He heartily supported what had been
done that day, and knew Wirksworth would do
its duty, as it had done in the past. Mr walthal
said he had never been so highly flattered in
his life. Moreover, he did not see any reason
why he should be asked tp present those cups,
because he was not a military man, and the
only interest he had taken that way was in the
Volunteers. It was not that he did not appreciate
and follow with interest the Wirksworth
soldiers who had been to war. He thanked
them for the hearty manner they had passed
that vote of thanks.
Mr Price Wood proposed a vote of thanks
to their Chairman, whom he said he had
known since he was a little boy, and his cheery
presence was as good as a tonic. He called for
three cheers for Dr Broster, which were
heartily given.
The Chairman replied, and said all they had
done was to show the soldiers who had been
to South Africa from Wirksworth that they
appreciated all they done in the past two
years, and to make their welcome home and
the preentation of these cups such an event in
their lives that it would never be forgotten.
THREE CHEERS
were given for the King, and the National
Anthem concluded the event.
Mr Marsden announced that, in honour of
the occasion, the Band would give a concert
on the platform at 6.30, when the following was
the programme:-
Selection..."Maud De Rohan"
March......."Caractacus"
Valse......."River of Pearls"
Selection..."Songs of england"
Selection..."Songs of Other days"
Selection..."Garland of Songs"
National Anthem
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Notes
- The Lieut Hurt referred to is Francis Cecil Albert HURT, 1878-1930,
Lord of Alderwasley Manor 1907-1930. His early active service was
with 23rd Welch Fusiliers, stationed in Africa.
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From "High Peak News" dated Saturday 18 Oct 1902
sent by Susan Hatton
RETURN OF
CAPTAIN HARRY CHANDOS-POLE-GELL
FROM SOUTH AFRICA
A GLORIOUS RECEPTION
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Captain Harry Chandos-Pole-Gell, of the 2nd
Coldstream Guards, returned by the 6.30 train
to Wirksworth on Thursday night. A very large
number of people gathered at the Midland
Railway Station and lined the streets en route
to the Market Place. The streets were very
extensively decorated, and many of the houses
had Chinese lantern window decorations:
numerous flags were flying throughout the
town. The night was very wet and the road
fearfully muddy, but nevertheless one of the
largest crowds ever seen in Wirksworth
to welcome home home the returned warrior. A
large torchlight procession assembled at the
station to meet Captain Gell.
The Wirksworth United Brass Band (under
the conductorship of Bandmaster W Gallimore)
was in attendance and played suitable marches,
etc: the Wirksworth Ambulance Brigade was
present, under Superintendent J K Fritchley
and 1st Officer Holmes; the Wirksworth troop
of Yeomanry; the "E" Company Volunteers,
under Captain Symonds and Lieutenant J A
Wheatcroft; the soldiers who have previously
returned from South Africa; the Urban District
Council, in brake; and a number of local
gentlemen on horseback; Mr Baker, with his
Naval Brigade and their "Long Tom" and
carriages; and a number of torch and lantern
bearers.
The procession started from the station and
paraded on the North Street, and then down
St John Street to top of Warmbrook and up to
Market Place, where it halted. Captain Chandos
Pole-Gell was in a two-horse carriage with
some of his family and Dr Broster and Canon
Gem. On halting in the Market Place, at a
signal from Mr C Wright, jun, who had the
marshalling of the procession, coloured fires
were lit all round the Market Place, and these,
with the large number of lanterns and torches,
had a very fine and impressive effect.
Cannon Gem rose and made a splendid speech.
He said he was pleased to accord to Captain
Harry Chandos-Pole-Gell the hearty welcome of
all the townspeople of Wirksworth on his return
from South Africa. It had been a most pleasant
duty. he had lived in many parts of England,
and had taken part in and seen many
demonstrations of one kind or another, but he
must admit he had never seen a gathering where
such loyalty and affection were shown as on the
present occasion. He thought loyalty was one of
the grandest things and Englishman could show
and it was due to the loyalty of our brave
soldiers that England held the position which
she today did hold. He spoke of the three years
war in South Africa. Captain H.Chandos-Pole Gell
went out at the commencement of this war, at a
time when we very much under-rated the strength
of the Boer army. He had served in many hard
battles - at Graspan,
Modder River, et etc. He
had been taken a prisoner of war and kept for
six months at Pretoria, and he was sure all
would admit he had had a hard share of the
long war which, he thanks God, had now come
to a conclusion. He loved to see loyalty and
affection shown to everything that is good and
noble. He again thanked Captain Harry Chandos-Pole-Gell,
on behalf of himself and all the townspeople of
Wirksworth, for his noble and distinguished
services in South Africa. He called for three
cheers for Captain Chandos-Pole-Gell, which
were most heartily given.
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Captain Harry Chandos-Pole-Gell now rose,
and addressing Canon Gem and all present,
said "I thank you all very much for the splendid
welcome you have accorded me. I can
scarcely find words suitable to thank you.
There is one time which is most sweet to a
soldier, and that is when he comes back and is
welcomed by all those kind relations and
friends whom he loves and has not for a long
time seen. I have the happy time now. I
went out to south Africa with our troops thinking
we were going to bring the war to an early
finish, but we found a much harder task before
us than we thought, and months and months
of fighting went on and on. I must say that
the parcels of comforts which have been received
in South Africa from kind friends at
home came at most needy times, and were most
eagerly looked forward to. At times I have
heard a great shout go up in the various camps
and have thought it must be peace declared or
something like that, and it was the arrival of
the mails with parcels of comforts and letters
from home to soldiers who were ever looking
forward to news from home and old friends.
It is the happiest time I have known to be
back among old friends whom I have known
from a boy. I can never forget the warm welcome
you have given me this night, and I
thank you all from the bottom of my heart".
(Loud cheers).
The Band here played the National Anthem,
the people joining in singing. The children
round the carriage sang heartily, "For he's a
jolly good fellow", followed by loud cheers. The
procession now formed again to escort Captain
Harry Chandos-Pole-Gell to his home at Hopton
Hall.
The reception Committee had spared no
pains to make the reception a thorough success.
The order of the procession was as
follows: Yeomanry, flag bearer, Wirksworth
United Band, Wirksworth Volunteers,
the returned warriors, the Urban
District Council, ambulance, Detachment of
Yeomanry, brake with Captain Gell (also
Mrs Meade-Waldo and Miss Meade-Waldo, Canon
Gem, Dr A E Broster, Col Chandos Pole, Mr
H Chandos-Gell's carriage, Mr Baker's Naval
Brigade, boys with lanterns under Mr A
Hawley, general public, etc.
The procession started from the railway
station, and went to the Lime Kiln Inn, thence
to Warmbrook, and on to the Market Place.
Here Canon Gem was asked to address Captain
Gell on his safe return, then the band played
"God save the King" and the Market Place was
lit up with coloured lights. Following this the
lads of the town collected round the carriage to
sing "For he's a jolly good fellow", under Mr
Preston's supervision, all the time pretty effects
being made with coloured lights. From there,
Captain Gell passed up the West End,
brilliantly illuminated, the band playing as far
as Yokecliffe House, then the band started
again at Godfrey Hole, as far as Mr Blore's
house, where the procession was met by Mr
Walter Taylor and between 60 and 80 people
from the neighbourhood, and the tenants of the
Hopton Estate, accompanied by torch bearers.
Mr Walter Taylor welcomed Captain Gell to
the precincts of Hopton village and the
procession then proceeded to hopton Hall. here
the Hall was illuminated, and the son received
by his father. In conclusion the band played
selections of music at the Hall, which was lit
up with coloured fires at intervals.
The brakes were supplied by Mr Joseph
Talbot, and the proceedings carried out by the
Reception Committee, viz: Messrs J K
Fritchley, Nowell-Usticke, J Logan, H Brown,
Tait, A Hawley and C Wright, junr.
On Sunday there was a thanksgiving service
held at Carsington Church.
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From Hubert Harrison memoirs
Hubert
[1901,
1891]
was a native of Derbyshire who took the time to write his memoirs
prior to his death in 1977 at the age of 90. He donated these memoirs to
Derbyshire Record Office in 1976 to ensure their long term survival.
The memoirs contain stories and reminiscences from his childhood in the
Wirksworth area from the end of the 19th to the start of the 20th century.
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The homecoming of Wirksworth soldiers from the South African War impressed
my boyish mind as each one was given an official welcome and was made the
central figure of a torchlight procession, headed by the town brass band,
with flags out and garlands across the streets. These events were all
separate occasions as the men were demobilised. In all twelve men
from the town served in the war and all returned, I believe. Among the names
I remember were Isaac Walker, Harry Lenton,
Corbett (Cob) Bartlett, Richard
Casterton, Bertram Arkwright (son of the Vicar, Rev H Arkwright), all
volunteers, also two Regular soldiers, Albert Goodwin (RAMC), and
Anthony Maskrey ("Rev Tant"),
also Harry Gell, of Hopton Hall.
The principal organiser of these processions deserves mention not only for
this but for his efforts for the youth of the town over many years, as he
ran the Church Lads' Brigade, with its own drum and fife band, its meeting
place in a gymnasium near the railway station, where there were horizontal
and parallel bars, weight lifting apparatus, trapezes, boxing gloves, etc,
largely provided by Charlie Wright,
who took the boys to camp and recruited
gymnastic instructors for them. All this was before the Boy Scouts were formed
by Baden Powell of the defence of Mafeking fame. Mr Wright was the son of
Charles Wright, head of the wines and spirits
business, and after he retired
he lived first on the French riviera, then at Fort house, Bolehill. Charlie
Wright died at Scarborough aged about 90, largely forgotten in Wirksworth as
he had been so long absent from the town. As I remembered his many services
for youth I wrote my tribute to his memory for the local papers, cuttings from
them being pasted in many scrapbooks of townspeople who had known him,
especially the lads of the Brigade long grown to manhood. The Brigade Room,
also used by the St John Ambulance Corps for instruction classes in first-aid
was destroyed in a disastrous fire many years ago.
Dr A E Broster was the
first-aid instructor and it was not until the doctor died that I learned that
he had served as a surgeon with the Turkish Army during the siege of
Plevna and decorated by the Turkish Govt for his work there.
Very few people ever knew that the face of a saint or an angel in the
stained glass memorial window of the Wrights
in Wirksworth church is an
actual photograph of Charlie Wright's mother,
much respected by everybody who knew her. The family lived at Yokecliff,
West End, Wirksworth, in considerable style.
Hubert Harrison
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Emails on the subject
Susan Hatton writes:
Walter Maskrey was born in about 1886, the only son of Anthony Maskrey
and Ann Whetton who were married in 1886. Children born to them, Ann
Elizabeth Wetton in 1855, Bertha 1865, Rosetta 1886, Walter 1869 and Mary
1871.
Walter's life, from the census forms, began when he was described as "a
scholar", then an errand boy but on his death certificate he is described
as a stonemason - as were so many men who lived in Wirksworth at that time.
On the 1901 census he was described as a lodger living in the house of
Annie Maskrey whose husband Joseph had been a distant cousin of Walter
Maskrey.
The story (I thought apocryphal) was that Walter had joined the Boer War
because he had been involved in a fight and had left a man for dead. Now
I am not so sure. I have obtained details of Walter Maskrey's military
history from Kew and find that:
He was 21 years 4 months of age when he joined the army.5ft 6 1/2" tall,
He had fresh completion, grey eyes and was a Methodist. He had no
distinguishing marks. He was passed fit at Derby in March 1890
There are two. Short Service - attestations of Water Maskery of Wirksworth,
a British citizen joined the Royal Artillery on 14 April 1890 at Sunderland.
Military History Sheet - he served at home in 1890, India for 7 years
between 1890 and 1897, home for 2 years and South Africa for 278 days
then home on 6 October 1900. His next of kin was his Mother, Ann, who
lived at Wash Green, Wirksworth. Special instances of galant conduct.
In S Africa in 1899, Johannesburgh and Kimberley (Roll 400). I have
obtained copies of his medals from the internet and I believe that he was
awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps for the various battles
in which he fought. He also transferred to the horse artillery and so
learned to ride in the army. A Statement of the 1889 services: he was tried
and imprisoned for periods ranging from 14 - 56 days. Charges not known.
He left the war with a War Gratuity of £5 paid in 1901 paid by the
Distrct Paymaster at Woolwich and appears in full uniform - as do all the
returning soldiers -
My search for Walter Maskrey began when I read an article about men
returning from the Boer War on the wonderful and comprehensive Wirksworth
website where there is a photograph of the jubilation on the return of
these men.. He was known as "Rev. Maskrey" because, I believe, and the
above confirms, that he was anything but reverend. In fact, he lived
perhaps a brave or possibly foolhardy existence. In the photograph he
looks a small, rather bemused man and so he must have been, having come
from a military prison and to being feted by people of the town as a
returning hero. The soldiers rode into the main square of the town
with bands, flags flying, patriotic songs being sung and all the local
dignitaries standing on a dais with the rest of the population enjoying
a day off work!
But my research has raised as many questions as it has answered and I
shall go on searching. What became of Walter's medals and what has become
of the splendid silver and gilt cups presented by public subscription to
each of the men returning from the Boer War? Is there one in a museum?
Does anyone in the town have such a cup or have any leads which I could
follow? Does any one remember any of the stories handed down about these
men? There is, I know, a memorial to the dead of the war and I have
received much of this information from the High Peak news dated 18 October
1902 kindly provided by Derbyshire County Council. It is the personal
questions which remain unanswered.
Walter Maskrey died of cancer of the tongue aged 54 on 26 December 1922
at Bannisters Yard, Wirksworth. The death was reported by Mary H
Huddlestone, his sister, who was present at the death. She lived at
Tamworth Street Duffield.
The principal reason for my interest - it is possible that Walter Maskrey
is my husband's maternal grandfather!!!
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Item for sale on Ebay
Relating to Private Harry Lenton No.7566
1st Derbyshire Regiment
(Volunteer Company)
"This Is A Fantastic RARE Piece of BOER WAR TRENCH ART SAMPLER
MADE FROM Pte HARRY LENTON KARKI JACKET"
(Sold for £175 after 26 bids on 8 Nov 2009)
The VERSE READS
My Easter Greetings
============
Friends & Relations in the land of the free
Easter Greetings I send on a bit of Khaki
Its not a choice card or sweet scented packet
For twas torn from a piece of my old Khaki Jacket
It has covered me long through storm & calm
The hardships I have bourne I have come to no harm
I trust that the day will not remote be
When you welcome again your Lads
in Khaki
===========
To a Friend from Pte H Lenton No7566
1st Derbyshire Regt
Oliphants Nek
Sth Africa
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"Our Regiments in South Africa, 1899-1902:
Their Record, Based on Dispatches"
By John Stirling
P.263
THE SHERWOOD FORESTERS
(DERBYSHIRE REGIMENT).
The 1st Battalion left Suez on 28th November 1899.
On arriving in South Africa about 14th December it
was sent to assist Sir W. Gatacre, who had just
suffered his reverse at Stormberg (see 2nd Northumberland
Fusiliers). Shortly after landing the battalion
was sent to Sterketroom, and afterwards it held Bushmanshoek,
and they remained in this district until
after the advance on Bloemfontein compelled the
Boers in the colony to slacken their hold, and so
allowed General Gatacre to move north to Burghersdorp
and Bethulie. In this advance the enemy was
seen, but his bullets were seldom felt except at and
about the crossing of the Orange River. There seems
to be no doubt that the road bridge over the river
was saved by the gallantry of Lieutenant Popham
and some of the Derbyshire Regiment. Under a
heavy fire these brave men rushed on to the bridge
and cut the wires which were intended to fire the
mines set for blowing up the bridge.
When several new brigades were being born in
March and April 1900, the 21st, composed of the 1st
Sussex, 1st Derbyshire, 1st Camerons, and City Imperial
Volunteers, was brought into existence under
P.264
Bruce Hamilton. The work of the brigade is sketched
under the 1st Sussex. The 21st Brigade was, along
with the 19th, put under General Ian Hamilton, to be
a part of the army of the right flank, and some account
of their advance is given under the Duke of Cornwall's
Light Infantry.
In the many actions on the right flank between 3rd
and 24th May 1900 the 21st Brigade and its commander
did well, and the Sherwood Foresters soon
added to their reputation. While at Florida or
Doornkop, fought on 29th May, after Ian Hamilton's
force had become the army of the left flank, the
battalion bore a distinguished part. An account of
the action is given under the 1st Gordons, who made
the assault. At Diamond Hill this battalion did good
work. The 21st Brigade was engaged in the operations
which culminated in Prinsloo's surrender, but the
Derbyshire Regiment had not such severe fighting as
some other battalions, being engaged on convoy work
a good part of the time. De Wet, it will be remembered,
broke out on 16th July with 1600 men.
Broadwood went in pursuit, and finding the Foresters
escorting a convoy on the Lindley road, he snapped
them up to assist in doing some trekking after the
fleet and ever-fleeing Boer. On 5th August De Wet
was still practically surrounded south of the Vaal,
but on the 7th he crossed the river, broke out, and
eventually escaped.
In Lord Roberts' final despatches of 2nd April
and 4th September 1901, 16 officers and 18 non-commissioned
officers and men of the battalion were
mentioned.
During the latter part of 1900 and early months
of 1901 the battalion did much marching, but it was
P. 265
not till 28th May 1901 that any good opportunity
for gaining distinction came. On that date Colonel
Dixon was moving about near Vlakfontein, north-west
of Krugersdorp, in difficult country ; his force being, —
Left, under Major Chance : 2 guns of 28th Battery, 1
pom-pom, 230 Imperial Yeomanry, one company Derbyshire Regiment.
Centre : 2 guns 8th Battery, 1 howitzer,
two companies King's Own Scottish Borderers, one
company Derbyshire. Bight : 2 guns 8th Battery, 200
Scottish Horse, two companies King's Own Scottish
Borderers. 1 Under cover of a grass-fire the enemy
broke the screen of the left column, driving in the
Yeomanry and seizing the two guns. Things were
looking hopeless, but the infantry rose to the occasion,
and by a charge which is unsurpassed by any
similar feat in the history of the war the men of the
Derbyshire Regiment recaptured the guns, but at a
terrible cost, — 18 of their number being killed and
about 70 wounded. Other troops assisted the Foresters,
but to them belongs the glory of a magnificent
achievement.
Two officers and 6 men were mentioned by Lord
Kitchener in his despatches for gallantry at Vlakfontein.
The number appears few, but where practically
every man belonging to the two companies present
displayed absolutely unsurpassable gallantry it must
have been difficult to select names. The cause of
mention in the case of Colour-Sergeant Henod is
worth quoting, the circumstances being so unusual.
"After being taken prisoner, exhibited great courage
and coolness in removing our wounded from bursting
of our shells." This looks worthy of the coveted
cross.
1 Lord Kitchener's despatch of 8th July 1901.
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On 30th September 1901 the same column, now
under Kekewich, was again fiercely attacked at Moediwill
in the Megaliesberg range. The words of Lord
Kitchener's despatch of 8th October may be given:
"At dawn on the following morning his camp was
heavily attacked by a force of at least 1000 Boers
under Generals Delarey and Kemp, who had evidently
followed up our column from the valley of the Toelani.
The attack, which lasted from 4.45 A.M. till 6.45 A.M.,
being delivered upon three sides of our camp with
great vigour and a lavish expenditure of ammunition,
was quickly repulsed after severe fighting, in which
all ranks displayed great gallantry, the conduct of the
1st Battalion Derbyshire Regiment being especially
distinguished. The enemy, foiled in their attempt to
rush the position, were compelled to fall back, and
they apparently retired in a northerly and north-
westerly direction. Our losses in this action were
severe, 1 officer and 31 men being killed, and 26
officers, including Colonel Kekewich, and 127 men
wounded. To give some idea of the severity of the
fire to which the troops were subjected, it may be
mentioned that three picquets were practically an-
nihilated, and that out of a party of 12 men of the
IfcrhyAire »,)_* which SU« . drift, 8
men were killed and 4 wounded. Upon Colonel Kekewich
being incapacitated by wounds the command
of the column was temporarily assumed by Lieut-
Colonel Wylly, Derbyshire Regiment" Official recognition
was this time bestowed on exceptional work.
Private Bees, one of nine in the maxim detachment,
six of whom were hit, went forward to a spruit held
by Boers 500 yards away for water for wounded
comrades, passing within 100 yards of rocks held by
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Boers. He brought back a kettle full of water, the
kettle being hit several times. Bees got the Victoria
Cross. One officer, Lieutenant Mills, who was killed,
and 6 non-commissioned officers and men were mentioned
in Lord Kitchener's despatch of 8th October
1901 for deeds of magnificent heroism, almost equal
to that of Private Bees. Altogether the Derbyshire
Regiment had 8 officers and 22 non-commissioned
officers and men mentioned in despatches written by
Lord Kitchener for surpassingly gallant work, and in
his final or supplementary despatch he added the
names of 5 officers and 6 non-commissioned officers.
The Mounted Infantry company of the Sherwood
Foresters saw a very great deal of fighting and came
up to the high standard of the 1st Battalion. Corporal
Beet gained the Victoria Cross at Wakkerstroom, in
the Orange River Colony, on 27th April 1900. An
Imperial Yeoman being wounded in a retirement,
Beet remained with him, placed him in cover, bound
up his wounds, and by firing prevented the Boers
approaching, so that at dark a doctor was able to go
to the wounded man's assistance.
P.268
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[Wikipedia]:
The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) was formed during the Childers Reforms in
1881 from the amalgamation of the 45th (Nottinghamshire) Regiment of Foot and the 95th (Derbyshire) Regiment
of Foot.
The outbreak of the Boer War in 1899 found both regular battalions in Malta and during November of that year
the 1st Battalion sailed for South Africa where they were to remain until the end of the War in 1902. They
took part in most of the major battles and shared all the hard marching and privations of that long campaign.
On one occasion they marched 400 miles in 45 days and were engaged with the enemy 28 times. The 4th Battalion
and service companies of the Volunteer Battalions also took part in the campaign with great credit. The
2nd Battalion, still stationed in Malta, provided volunteers for the many mounted infantry companies.
Two additional VCs were won by Cpl H Beet and Pte W Bees, while amongst the many other decorations bestowed
on Foresters were no fewer than twenty-two Distinguished Conduct Medals.
Arthur Conan Doyle,
The Great Boer War
London, Smith, Elder & Co., 1902
CHAPTER XXXIV
The Winter Campaign (April-September, 1901)
www.pinetreeweb.com/conan-doyle-chapter-34.htm
paragraph 17:
"On May 26th Dixon's force, consisting of Derbyshires, King's Own Scottish Borderers, Imperial Yeomanry,
Scottish Horse, and six guns (four of 8th R.F.A. and two of 28th R.F.A.), broke camp at Naauwpoort and
moved to the west. On the 28th they found themselves at a place called Vlakfontein, immediately south
of Oliphant's Nek. On that day there were indications that there were a good many Boers in the
neighbourhood. Dixon left a guard over his camp and then sallied out in search of the buried guns.
His force was divided into three parts, the left column under Major Chance consisting of two guns of
the 28th R.F.A., 230 of the Yeomanry, and one company of the Derbys. The centre comprised two guns
(8th R.F.A.), one howitzer, two companies of the Scottish Borderers and one of the Derbys; while the
right was made up of two guns (8th R.F.A.), 200 Scottish Horse, and two companies of Borderers.
Having ascertained that the guns were not there, the force about midday was returning to the camp,
when the storm broke suddenly and fiercely upon the rearguard."
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