TOPIC:

Another original image of soldiers and natives at a Blockhouse for scrutiny and comment.



The photograph came to me with a 5 clasp QSA named to 7047 Pte J. CROSSLAND VOL: COY. W. RID: RGT




His papers are available to view on FMP and confirm John Crossland as a member of the 2nd Active Service Company of the West Riding Regt, so in the same draft as the aforementioned Harry Dyson.




The photograph is annotated on the reverse “Gladys and Ida’s Father was in the Boar (sic) War and is the middle man in the back row”
An extensive family tree for John Thomas Crossland references the 1911 census where JTC resides with his wife Ada and 4 children including Gladys and Ida at 11 Quarry Road, Westgate, Cleckheaton, West Riding. It also notes his death in 1913.

Pete

Pete,

Great blockhouse photograph, and thank you for posting the images of Bethell’s miniatures.

A bit off topic, but I don't suppose Cossland's Cleckheaton presentation watch came with his medal. If so, it would be good to know the wording of the inscription.


Sixteen watches were presented at two ceremonies, your man receiving his on 22 Dec 1902.

08/07/1901 presentation

1st Volunteer Active Service Company, West Yorkshire Regiment ["E" Company, 1st V.B.W.R.R.] –
6075 Lance-Corporal [Sergeant] John Charles HOLLINGS
6107 Private Reuben Daniel FIDLER [Fiddler]
6099 Private John Henry HOBSON
6096 Private John Thomas LAST
6094 Private Arthur PARKIN
6088 Private Carl Edward TURNBULL
6086 Private William Oldfield WOOD
6085 Private Bentley WRIGGLESWORTH

Presentation made by Mr J.W. Wadsworth, at the Town Hall, Cleckheaton.


22/12/1902 presentation

2nd Volunteer Active Service Companies, West Yorkshire Regiment ["E" Company, 1st V.B.W.R.R.] –
7047 Private John Thomas CROSSLAND
7098 Private Sam HINCHLIFFE
7046 Private Percy HUTCHINSON
7042 Private Wilfred Richard LUNN

3rd Volunteer Active Service Companies, West Yorkshire Regiment ["E" Company, 1st V.B.W.R.R.] –
7138 Private John COOPER
7141 Private George EDMONDSON (absent - remained in S. Africa)
7150 Private Stephen NORTH

Composite Cyclist Corps –
7130 Private Joseph Cowburn DAVISON

Presentation made by Mr F.W. Birkett (Chairman of the District Council).


Leeds Mercury, 23rd December 1902

CLECKHEATON VOLUNTEERS HONOURED.
At Cleckheaton last night watches were presented by the Chairman of the District Council (Mr F.W. Birkett) to Privates CROSLAND [sic], DAVISON, HINCHLIFFE, HUTCHINSON, LUNN, COOPER, and NORTH, of the Cleckheaton Volunteer Company, who had served in South Africa.

..

This shot, captured by a professional photographer, shows what I assume to be the complete garrison of Blockhouse No 128 (Windsorton Road). In this case, the section consists of 11 soldiers of the 3rd Bn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) – one N.C.O. (a colour-sergeant) and ten men.


.Ex Ken Griffith Collection




Windsorton Road had a second, smaller, "satellite" blockhouse (No 128b), which had a reduced garrison of one N.C.O. and five men.


.Courtesy of the McGregor Museum, Kimberley



..

Neville C
A fine pair of studies; especially the first which includes their small dog. Noted are the LM1* rifles and at least three patterns of bandolier. And several of the men sport campaign ribbons; IGS95 perhaps?
Regards
IL.

Unbelievably sharp 120 year-old photographs. What strikes me is the chap standing second to the right in the top photograph of the crew of Blockhouse 128. If that's not a Boer I'll eat my Stetson. Hensupper? Cape Boer? Incredibly badly disguised spy?

Good point, EFV. I initially thought "National Scout" - but then he has a campaign ribbon.
IL.