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suzard
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This message was updated on 4/3/2008 6:03:02 PM by suzard

West - Francis and Thomas
replied on: 4/3/2008 5:55:07 PM

Ripley and Heanor News
22 Dec 1911
(accompanied by photograph -my photocopy too dark to post) -if you requre a copy of this I am willing to post a copy to you - if you care to PM me your address - or send it to robert mee and he will pass it on - please don't post addresses personal details on site))

article is over 2 columns -of which at the moment I have the top half of both columns!

WAR STORIES - Thrilling experiences of local Soldiers and Sailors

Bombadier Frank West
(of Heanor -late Royal Field Artillery)
It would be readily conceded by all arms that no corps had a more strenuous time in the South African Campaign than the royal Field Artillery, the very nature of the country itself forming a formidable barrier to quick progress. The story of Frank West therefore makes interesting reading.
BOMBADIER FRANK WEST
before his enlistment on June 11th, 1897, Mr West had resided for some years in America, and whist working as a confectioner there received his first "baptism of fire". This was an accidental affair, and ocurred whilst he and his employer were practising with a rifle. Owing to a misunderstanding Mr West received a gunshot wound in his chest, but has suffered no serious after effects.
ORDERED TO SOUTH AFRICA
On June 3rd 1899, orders were received for the 75th Battery to be made up to South African Establishment. This was, of course, before the outbreak of hostilities with the Boers. The left half battery embarked at Birkenhead on the Zayathla and the right half on board the Zibengla., and were under orders to proceed to Ladysmith to releive the battery stationed in that town. War had broken out by the time Las Palmas was reached, and the natives prophesied the Boers would beat the English. The men of the battery rejoined , "Yes, in the same way as the Spanish whacked the Americans". This caused angry looks from the spaniards. On November 8th the left half battery proceeded on reconnaissence from Orange River, under captain H.J.W. Farrell, along with two squadrons 9th lancers, two companies mounted infantry, and a detachment of the R.M.A.C. with two ambulances, the composite party being commanded by Col. the Hon. G.H.Gough. Arrived at Orange River Bridge the battery bivouacked under protection of a piquet furnished by the Loyal N. Lancs. On Nov 9th, reveille sounded at 3-30 a.m. and the battery proceeded as far as Belmont station, but did not encounter the enemy, and so returned and encamped for the night at Fincham's Farm.
FIRST ENGAGEMENT-KAFFIR KOP
By five o' clock next morning camp was astir and a move made towards Belmont, where the enemy were encountered. The Boers opened fire on the cavalry with a large gun, but after a couple of rounds from the half battery there was no further response. Ten rounds sufficed to clear the Boers from their position on the ....

SORRY HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT WEEK!!!!!

TOP OF SECOND COLUMN
".... visit of inspection he paid to the river banks where Cronje and his men entrenched themselves. West said, " Each man had his hole dug out under the bank, with legs of dead cows partly eaten, and the stench was unbearable, no wonder they surrendered".
ENGLISHMAN HIDES FOR A WEEK IN GOLD MINE
At Johannesburg the British Troops received a hearty welcome from several Englishmen who had been in hiding. One of these informed west that he had been secreted in a gold mine for fear the Boers would have held him prisoner.
POPULAR GROVE.
Along with the 18th and the 75th came into touch with the retreating Boers three miles south of Poplar grove, and after a two hours action the Boers again did the disappearing business. At Karru Siding and Zurfontein were fights lasting two or three hours, and some heavy marching followed. Three casualties of a peculiar nature ocurred between Zurfontein and Zand River. Two gunners were run over by waggons, whilst Driver Steele was killed through his horse going down and the remainder of the team going over him.
KRUGERS NARROW ESCAPE
At the bombardment of pretoria the battery plumped a number of shells over the kopje right onto the station platform. The Boers had no idea the Britishers were close at hand, having been cajoled by their leaders into the belief that the English were being driven back into Cape Colony. The battery galloped round by the railway station to prevent Kruger's escape, but had the mortification of arriving just in time to see the rear end of the train in the distance.
AFTER DE WET. COLDMARCH 6,400 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL
After Pretoria came a long chase all over the country, and in six weeks, the battery covered over 800 miles over heavy sandy roads. From Wonderfontein to Belfast the march was the coldest experienced, the heght of the plateau being 6,400 feet above sea level, and the highest altitude in the Transvaal.
A TIGHT CORNER. GUNWHEELS RIDDLED BY BULLETS. EXPLOSIVE BULLET KILLS TWO MEN AND WOUNDS BOMBADIER WEST.."

SORRY THAT'S IT UNTIL NEXT WEEK!!!
Thought I would post what I had - as I work on the assumption "reading about things that happened over 100 years ago take on more of an urgency than todays newspaper!

Will be back later tonight with family history I have

Sue

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