TOPIC:

1900 - Boers defeated by General Paget at Baken Kop near Lindley. Midnight attack on Ficksburg repulsed.

1901 - Arthur Hands, of Wyre Piddle, Worcestershire, died of alcoholic poisoning on this day, most likely from drinking alcohol from a still or home-brew.

"Mr. John Hands, market gardener, of Wyre, has received a telegram from the War Office announcing that his only son, Corporal Arthur Hands, of Baden Powell's Constabulary, had died at Abraham's Kraal on July 3rd. The cause of death is not given, but is understood to have been not due to wounds, as the announcement in the casualty list included ihe words, "disease not stated." When the call was made for 10,000 men to form the South African Constabulary, Arthur Hands at once sent in his name, and being an excellent shot and rider, he experienced no difficulty in passing the severe tests that candidates for this corps have to undergo. He left home on Dec. 30th, 1900, and leaving by steamer the next day. He went straight to Bloemfontein, and while there was, with 500 others, reviewed by General Baden Powell, being afterwards picked out with 39 other men for relieving a guard at Sanna's Post. At the beginning of last month he was transferred to the 10th section of the constabulary as corporal, and there is no doubt, had the young fellow lived, he would have been advanced still higher. Mr. Hands received the last letter from his son on June 14th. It was from Abraham's Kraal, and dated May 14th, and contained an account of much hardship and suffering undergone. He said that all they had to eat was a pound of flour given out daily, which they mixed with water and baked. Nevertheless, he stated, he was in good health and spirits. Mr. Hands, who is, of course, deeply stricken with grief at the death of his only son, has one consolation, however—that he died for his country. He has many sympathetic friends in the district, whom he wishes to thank for their kindness to him in his sorrow."
The Worcestershire Chronicle, Saturday 20th July 1901

Thank you, Berenice. Another interesting and sad tale.

Berenice
Occasionally, the cause "alcoholic poisoning" is shown along entries in Palmer. I suppose it would unlikely to be able to do a home-brew when on trek. Palmer shows him as "583 Cpl. A.J.Hands of SAC's E Division".
The other name, Corpl. A.K.Hodgetts is shown in Palmer as being "7210 Cpl. A. Hodgetts of 5th IY" who died of disease at Kroonstad on 24/10/1900.
Regards
IL.

Medal rolls for A J Hands

Hands A J 583 Corporal Demise: Died of poisoning - alcohol 03 Jul 1901
Place: Abrahams Kraal Driefontein?
Source: In Memoriam by S Watt

Hands A J 583 Corporal Died. Abraham's Kraal, 3 July 1901
E Division. Alcoholic poisoning
Source: South African Field Force Casualty Roll

A P Hodgetts
Service Date: 1899-1902
Service Place: South Africa
Campaign or Service: South Africa - Second Boer War
Regiment or Unit Name: 16th Squadron 5th Imperial Yeomanry
Regimental Number: 7210






Medal roll



Personnel Effects