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Victor Harry Woodhouse was born at Stafford in 1864; he died in the Toxteth Park district of Liverpool, in 1913, aged 49.


….Extract from the "London Gazette," dated 5th instant, is published for information: - Memoranda. - Captain (temporary Captain in the Army) V. H. Woodhouse, 2nd Vol. Battn. the East Lancashire Regiment, is removed from the Army, Her Majesty having no further occasion for his services. Dated 6th October, 1900.

Burnley Express, Saturday 13th October 1900


….The correspondence relating to the recall of Capt. V. H. Woodhouse, commanding the Volunteer Company East Lancashire Regiment in South Africa, has now been published. It appears that on June 27th, 1900, Lieut.-Col. Rochfort Boyd reported to his superior officer that Capt. Woodhouse performed his duties in a very unsatisfactory manner. "On the arrival of his company nearly three weeks ago it was reported to me that this officer had not marched with his company from Kroonstad, but had travelled on a waggon with a convoy. Since then on various occasions I have noticed the slack manner in which he has performed his duties. Last night Capt. Ferguson, R.E., commanding defences south bank of Vaal, found great want of vigilance on the part of the East Lancashire Company and sent for Captain Woodhouse. It was reported that he had crossed the river and gone to dine with a friend over two miles away without leave and without handing over the command. He apparently returned about 11 p.m. and slept in a house within our lines, and though he states he turned out early this morning, he did not remain with his men under arms until broad daylight in accordance with standing orders. I have suspended him from the command of his company, pending your instructions, and have directed the next senior officer, Lieutenant J. Craven, who appears active and intelligent, to take over command of the company."

The Haslingden Guardian, Friday 18th October 1901


….Below we give correspondence relating to the recall of Captain Woodhouse. It includes the charges made against that officer, and his reply thereto.
….On June 27th, 1900, Lieut.-Col. C. Rochfort Boyd forwarded the following report to Captain Woodhouse, requesting him to offer any observations or explanations: -
….I regret to have to report that Captain V. H. Woodhouse, commanding Volunteer Company East Lancashire Regiment, performs his duties in a very unsatisfactory manner. On the arrival of this Company, nearly three weeks ago, it was reported to me that this officer had not marched with his Company from Kroonstad, but had travelled on a waggon with a convoy. On asking the reason he pleaded illness. Since then on various occasions I have noticed the slack manner in which he has performed his duties. Last night Captain Ferguson, R.E., commanding defences, South Bank of Vaal, found great want of vigilance on the part of the East Lancashire Company, and sent for Captain Woodhouse, when it was reported that he had crossed the river and gone to dine with a friend over two miles away without leave, and without handing over command. He apparently returned after 11 p.m., and slept in a house within our lines, and though he states he turned out early this morning, he did not remain with his men under arms till broad daylight in accordance with standing orders. As the whole safety of our defences depends on the vigilance of all ranks, and as Captain Woodhouse's carelessness has set his men a bad example, which they have followed, I have suspended him from the command of his Company pending your instructions, and have directed the next senior officer, Lieut. J. Craven, who appears active and intelligent, to take over command of the Company.
….The same day Captain Woodhouse replied, stating briefly that on arrival at Kroonstad he was ill and was ordered two days' rest, and that he afterwards overtook his Company at Viljoen's Drift. No complaint had ever been made that his duties had been performed in a slack manner. It was not true he had been to dine with a friend, but had been to see the manager of the Vaal River Colliery. He had been frequently praised by superior officers for the work of the Company. Such commendations had come from Col. Stacpole, Col. Cooper, etc.
….On July 12th Captain Woodhouse was ordered to proceed to Cape Town, and thence home, and on October 6th the "Gazette" announced his removal from the Army. On January 22nd of this year Mr. Woodhouse laid his whole case before the War Office. He wrote the following letter to the Deputy-Adjutant-General, Auxiliary Forces: -
….Sir, - I beg respectfully to call your attention to the circumstances under which I was sent home from South Africa and removed from the Army, etc. I now find under Section 42 of the Army Act that if an officer thinks himself wronged he may complain to the Commander-in-Chief in order to obtain justice, and as I was ordered from Pretoria to report myself in writing to you on arrival in England, I beg of you to bring my case forward in the usual way.
….My complaint is, shortly, this: - That whilst I was reported for being absent from y Company without leave I was at the time carrying out the written orders of Lieut.-Col. Rochfort Boyd, R.E., the officer who reported me. And, further, that, no doubt owing to a misunderstanding on my part, at the time when I was invited to add any observations on that port I merely gave in writing a supplementary account to verbal statements I had previously made to Col. Boyd instead of stating the whole of my case in writing. I submit, therefore, that the authorities have not had before them my complete answer to the charges.
….My case is as follows: - The Company was under orders to proceed up country to join the 1st East Lancashire Regiment at the front. On arrival at Viljoen's Drift, on the Vaal River, I found Lieut.-Col. Rochfort Boyd in command of troops there, and also on the north side of the river - Vereeniging - Captain Cordeaux, 4th Line Battalion, who had commanded us with other details from Zand River, reported our arrival. I then had written orders from Col. Boyd placed in my hands by Captain Cordeaux to the effect that my right-half Company was to remain at Viljoen's Drift station under the command of the senior subaltern lieutenant (now Captain) Craven to guard the station buildings, also certain stores, and a colliery shaft, the property of a coal mining company, with directions to interview the mining manager or sub-manager whose name was mentioned in the orders, and take his instructions as to the particular building, plant, or apparatus to be so guarded. Both Lieut. Craven and myself interviewed this gentleman (who had broken his leg and was driving at the time), and took his instructions accordingly. He also pointed to his house across the river where we could find him if necessary.
….The orders went on to say that I was to proceed with the left-half Company across the river and bivouac on the opposite bank. With these men I found guards for other stores and property of the mining company and also found fatigue parties to work on the railway diversion, then in course of construction. I was afterwards moved with the left-half Company across the river again where trenches were constructed, at the same time finding fatigue parties for the railway diversion. Whilst here from 16 to 20 men went sick. Three were down with enteric fever, and others with rheumatism, dysentery and diarrhœa, and were moved to some empty houses at Viljoen's Drift Station, about four miles away.
….As one of the enteric patients was wandering about the station in a delirious manner, I obtained Colonel Boyd's leave to tell off some orderlies from the Company to look after the sick, pending the arrival of hospital orderlies. I also drew rations from Vereeniging Station where the Commanding Officer had his headquarters for both half Companies, and one day, when about half-way between the two places, I told Colonel Boyd in answer to his enquiry that I was going to visit my detachment at Viljoen's Drift and the sick of the Company. Lieut. Craven, with the right-half Company, subsequently joined the left-half Company. Soon after his arrival (the afternoon of the day in question) the mining manager sent word by Lieut. (now Captain) Howard, the junior subaltern of the Company, that he wished to see me.
….After having tea with both of the subalterns of the Company and telling them of my intended visit, I went and saw the mining manager, who complained that certain stores had been looted, and (inter alia) a lady's side saddle was missing. On enquiry I learnt from him that the looting had taken place the night after Lieut. Craven had come with the right-half Company, and that therefore none of the men under my command were on guard at the time.
….On my return to the Company I visited the quarter guard, and found that during my absence Captain Ferguson, R.E., had had occasion to find fault with the vigilance kept by a picket of 10 men under non com.-officers, situate about 200 yards to the west, and although this officer ordered Lieut. Craven to tell me to report myself on my return, I was not informed until nearly 10 o'clock the next morning. On reporting myself I was placed under arrest and ordered to proceed across the river to the Commanding Officer's headquarters.
….Colonel Boyd told me in reply to my explanation that he had made up his mind to send me before the General, and any explanation I wished to make I could do so then. I was removed from the command of the Company and told to go to the Forester's Cottage and remain there until further orders. Some days afterwards (27th June) I received from Colonel Boyd a letter requesting me to add to the copy report he had made on me, any observations or explanations I might wish to make, and finding that report referred to matters other than those referred to at the previous interview, I gave what I considered merely a supplementary answer to the further matters contained in the report. I was under arrest at the time, and having regard to what Colonel Boyd told me about going before the General, I thought I should have a court martial, and thus a further opportunity of calling witnesses to prove my case. I had offered to call them at the time.
….I remained in the cottage, and when the Company was ordered to Johannesburg I was ordered to go with them. On arrival I reported myself to Colonel Wright, the officer commanding the 1st East Lancashire Regiment, and remained with the regiment until I was ordered home to England. Then appeared the notice in the "Gazette."
….I desire to call attention to the fact that the distance I went to see the manager is about one-fourth of the distance from our position to Viljoen's Drift Station, where I had to go in the performance of my duties, and that as I had to cross over the inside of the position the troops were defending, I did not consider it necessary to ask leave. The house referred to in Colonel Boyd's report was formerly occupied by officers of the Royal Engineers, during the construction of the railway diversion; when that work was completed, the Royal Engineers officers left, and leave was given by Colonel Boyd for the three officers of the Volunteer Company Hampshire Regiment and the three officers of the Volunteer Company East Lancashire to occupy it. I also offered at the time to call witnesses to prove that I turned out with the men early in the morning and remained with them until broad daylight, in accordance with standing orders.
….I now humbly request that my case be reconsidered with a view to the notice in the London "Gazette" of 5th October last, being cancelled, and my returning to South Africa until the end of the war. I am single, have ridden to hounds, and in last year's musketry was returned as a marksman. I stand just over 6ft. in height, and also hold the "P.S." Certificate from the School of Instruction, Chelsea Barracks, London.
….Your obedient servant,
….The only notice taken of this petition was a reply to the effect that it had been laid before the King, who had given no instructions concerning it.

Burnley Express, Wednesday 16th October 1901

….Dear Sir, - Now that the official correspondence has been published regarding this matter, I, as an outsider, want to know on what basis all the imaginary charges against this officer were founded? What about the semi-official "correct accounts" which we have so often heard from those "in the know," and especially from Woodhouse's fellow officers and comrades who criticised so knowingly and with such a deep sense of feeling in the matter, at the same time leaving us to gather more stigma from what they left unsaid than from what they said? Personally I was proud of the way in which this officer Woodhouse took up his share of the empire's burden.
….Oh, what a depth of remorse, of bitterness and regret would be felt by Captain Woodhouse when the truth of the situation dawned upon him. The "Northern Daily Telegraph," in a special article on this case, says: "It seems unfair that Woodhouse should be ignominiously dismissed unheard, he may deserve it or not. He, however, suffers with better men, let him remember Gatacre and Colville and Buller and take courage. His is not the only reputation that has been interred in South Africa. They are all buried there, even 'Bobs' and Kitchener."
….I think there has been an anti-Woodhouse body locally who, at the fireside, club, or bar-parlour, have libelled a British officer behind his back, and who have filled the Burnley people's mind with all sorts of vain vaporings. I now ask these to come down into the ring and ventilate or substantiate the many misleading statements they have made. I take upon myself to challenge them to produce any evidence which will render Victor Woodhouse anything but a gentleman in the eyes of the Burnley people. Failing this, will they, for God's sake, for ever hold their peace? - Yours truly, ….Burnley, October 18, 1901.
[We have excised several pointed sentences, which seemed to us to be libellous, from our correspondent's letter. - Ed. B.E. & C.D.A.]

Burnley Express, Saturday 19th October 1901
….We now go back to January 1900......

….On Saturday and Sunday at Burnley, Surgeon-Captain T. Holt, Army Medical Reserve, medically inspected a number of the local volunteers who have offered themselves for active service. Amongst those who passed was Captain Woodhouse, a Burnley solicitor. The medical examination was a very strict one...……...

….Captain Woodhouse, the Burnley Volunteer Captain who is going to the front, is a solicitor practising in the town. He is a son of the late Mr. Henry Woodhouse, civil engineer to the London and North Western Railway, and was born at Stafford and educated at Wolverhampton School. Subsequently, he was articled to Mr. William Morgan, solicitor, and Coroner of one of the divisions of Staffordshire. He was admitted a solicitor in November, 1887, and soon afterwards began practice at Stafford. He came to Burnley in June, 1895, and has since been in practice here. Captain Woodhouse started his military career in the 2nd V.B. North Staffordshire Regiment, commanded by Colonel Lord Burton. He joined the Burnley Volunteers in April, 1896, as second lieutenant, was promoted to the rank of captain in November, 1898, and given charge of B. Company. Captain Woodhouse is a most efficient officer and is the only captain in the 2nd Volunteer Battalion East Lancashire Regiment who has obtained the certificate of proficiency for captains and subalterns, gained at the School of Instruction, Chelsea Barracks, the Commandant of the School of Instruction being Mr. F. G. Manners, Captain in the Scots Guards, whilst the Hon. R. Leggon, who was wounded at Belmont, was the adjutant. Captain Woodhouse was at Chelsea for one month, and the certificate is dated the 22nd November, 1898. Since coming to Burnley, the captain, who is very popular among the officers and men, has played cricket with the Burnley second eleven team. Recently he started Church Lads Brigade in the town in which brigade over 400 have been enrolled. He is about 30 years of age and passed the doctor for service at the front, on Monday.

Burnley Express, Wednesday 10th January 1900
….Yesterday afternoon a copy of a letter from Captain Woodhouse, of the Volunteers, which had been received by Colonel Mitchell, commanding the 2nd Vol. Batt. East Lancashire Regiment, was posted up at the drill hall at Keighley Green, Burnley. Captain Woodhouse mentions that at the time of writing the Volunteers who went from this district had just set off for Naauwpoort. They arrived in Table Bay on the morning of March 5th, and had been in camp on Green Point Common. The Chief Staff Officer, Colonel Cooper, who the captain believes to be a Lancashire man, inspected them on the way to the station. "He complimented us," says Captain Woodhouse, "on our clean and smart appearance. We are going on the lines of communication until the railway can take us to our regiment, and probably fight the rebels...……...The men are all very well, and their conduct is excellent...……...Pte. Shepherd, of Ramsbottom, burst a blood vessel a few days before we landed. He is now in Woodstock Hospital, Cape Town, and is getting better." In a postscript Captain Woodhouse says: "The local people are now in the goods yard distributing fruit, biscuits, etc., to the men, and thank us for coming to fight for them.

Burnley Express, Wednesday 4th April 1900
Captain Victor Woodhouse, who went out in command of the Volunteer section of the East Lancashire Regiment, is one of the officers now on passage home.

Burnley Express, Saturday 11th August 1900
….It is stated that Lieutenant Fred Howard, of Darwen, has been appointed to the command of the East Lancashire Volunteers now in South Africa, in succession to Captain Woodhouse, of Burnley, who is returning to England.

Burnley Express, Wednesday 15th August 1900


….Captain Woodhouse, of the Burnley Volunteers, who has been on active service in South Africa, returned to Burnley on Saturday, and was accorded a cordial greeting by numerous friends on the cricket field. Capt. Woodhouse has been invalided home, and is now awaiting orders he War Office.
….In conversation with the Captain last night, our representative obtained an interesting account of e movements of the Burnley Volunteers at the front. Capt. Woodhouse stated that the Burnley company of the East Lancashire Regiment, of which he was in charge, arrived at Cape Town on March 5th. They were first stationed at Greenpoint amp for a few days, after which they went to Lingsburg, a distance of 213 miles from Cape Town. They remained some time guarding the two railway bridges over the Buffels River and Geelbeck, nine miles from Lingsburg. They were in this district during the rebellion. On May 4th, they left for Bloemfontein, arriving there two days later. Subsequently they went up to Brandfort, and did outpost duty for seven or eight days, and afterwards marched with a convoy of 80 waggons containing supplies for the army up to the Zand River. There they stopped, and performed two days' "pick and shovel" work on the railway deviation line. From this place they marched to the Vaal River and to Viljoen's Drift via Kroonstad, where they stayed three weeks, doing more railway deviation work, outpost and patrol duty. Journeying on to Johannesburg, they joined the 1st East Lancashire Regiment, under Col. Wright, to whom Capt. Woodhouse handed over the command of his company.
….Captain Woodhouse informed our representative that all the officers of the Company were employed in administrative work. Major O'Brien, who was in charge of the escort which brought the regimental colours to Burnley, acted as chief magistrate, and had the power of life and death in his hands, whilst other officers were engaged as railway staff officers, commissioners of police, Crown prosecutors, etc. At Johannesburg the men obtained new clothing, and a rest, which, Capt. Woodhouse said, they needed badly. The distance from Brandfort to the Vaal River, which they marched, was 182 miles. Further questioned, he said that the conduct of the men was excellent. He could not praise them too highly. When they were escorting convoys, the enemy were reported to be in the adjoining hills, but they did not choose to attack them, possibly preferring, Capt. Woodhouse added, to attack a convoy that had no escort. From Kroonstad his company of Volunteers was about 48 hours' march behind the army of Lord Roberts. He also informed our reporter that they had had to rough it out at the front. One of the principal features was the unfailing courtesy they received from officers of the Line at the various places they were sent to. He considered the British army out there had done remarkably well, taking into account the extent of the country and the difficulties they had there to encounter. The Boer, in his opinion, was a great coward. In reply to a query as to the health of the Volunteers, the Captain stated that he had only had four men of his company down with enteric fever. One of them was buried at Johannesburg.

Burnley Express, Wednesday 29th August 1900

I take it that he didn't receive a QSA medal?

A little more info on him -

….The London Gazette, 1st November 1898, reported that Lieutenant V. H. Woodhouse, 2nd Volunteer Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, was promoted to the rank of captain from the 2nd of November.

….7281 Private Frederick Grimshaw, of Haslingden, and serving in the 3rd Volunteer Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, kept a diary through the war, and he mentioned a smoking concert on Monday 9th April 1900, held to celebrate Captain Woodhouse's and Lieutenant Howard's birthdays.
….The "our Captain," mentioned on the 18th of April, was presumably Woodhouse.
www.thewhitaker.org/news/2018/7/26/objec...-the-whitaker-museum

….In 1904 he was second in Burnley Cricket Club Second XI's batting averages. In 15 innings he was not out twice, scoring 278 runs with an average of 21.38. He scored the Second XI's only century that season, 105 not out. So whatever had been said about him in Burnley behind his back hadn't driven him out of the town. That was the last mention I could find of him in the Burnley Express.