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1899 - From the diary of Trooper A J Crosby, Natal Carbineers

Just warned to be in readiness to leave for the front at any moment. Order came at 2 o/c for then the Regiment was drawn up and addressed by the Officer Commanding troops, Col. Knox, who, after complimenting us on the smartness of our appearance, told us we were about to depart upon very serious duty, i.e. of locating the enemy who were approaching the border. He impressed upon us the great vigilance necessary to make our observations under cover and should we get in touch with the enemy to hang on to his skirts, even if we had to fight for it, warning us, however, that as the reinforcements could not reach us for some time we would not be rash, and wishing us God Speed and safe return. We were addressed in similar terms by our own Colonel, when giving three cheers for Queen, A. and C. Squadrons (the former to which I am attached) and marched out of town in rear of Military Camp. There we remained for some two hours waiting orders and commissariat. Moved on to Leathern’s Blauwbank 15 miles out, off-saddling for 2 hours, thence to Coventry’s Acton Homes.

Martinus Steyn, true to his word and honouring his promise of military alliance with the Transvaal, mobilised his forces on this day, it must have been a painful decision to have had to have made, the Transvaal Republic having begun mobilisation some five days beforehand.

1900 - James Bailey, a reservist who had been invalided home, died of congestion of the lungs.

....At the Geldart public house, Sleaford-street, on Wednesday afternoon, the death of James Bailey, aged 29, a drayman and reservist, of 95, Sturton-street, was inquired into by the Coroner (Mr. H. Saunders French), and a jury of which Mr. Charles Barker was the foreman.
....Susan Boreham, wife of Frederick Boreham, a dairyman, of 95, Sturton-street, identified the deceased as her brother, who she said at the time of his death was in the employ of the Star Brewery Company. He was a reservist, and had been invalided home from South Africa, but was under orders to rejoin his regiment. He had recently been suffering from an attack of pneumonia, but when he went home on Monday evening he appeared "wonderfully well." Witness heard nothing of him during the night. He was a steady man generally, and had been at work as usual during the day.
....Frederick Boreham, husband of the previous witness, said deceased had been lodging with him. The last time witness saw him alive was on Sunday evening. Deceased came home on Monday evening after witness had gone to bed. Witness heard nothing of deceased during the night, but when he went downstairs about ten minutes past six the next morning, he found the deceased lying on the couch. Witness was frightened, and went up to the deceased, shook him, and asked him whether he was not going to work. The deceased made no reply, and witness then lifted his head up, whereupon he saw that his face was discoloured. Witness then called his wife. The deceased generally slept on the couch until one or two o'clock in the morning, and then went upstairs and got into bed. Witness had noticed nothing regarded the deceased's condition to alarm him during the past month; he had not seen him very often. - By the jury: Deceased had not been to bed that night.
....Dr. A. P. Stinson deposed that when he saw the deceased on Tuesday morning he was dead, but the body was still warm. He made a post-mortem examination, and found congestion and signs of long standing pleurisy on the left lung. The liver was enlarged and congested. The cause of death was pulmonary congestion. - By the jury: Had deceased had medical advice when he arrived home that evening he might have been living at the present time. - The verdict of the jury was in accordance with the medical testimony.
Cambridge Independent Press, Friday 5th October 1900

95, Sturton Street, is an end of terrace house.
www.google.com/maps/place/95+Sturton+St,...2.203264!4d0.1405293

The Geldart pub is still open and trading.