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1900 - Steyn and de Wet escape from the Brandwater Basin.

President Steyn on the left.

1903 - Presentation of medals at Harrismith.

....Sergt. T. Lycett, of the 4th King's Own Royal Rifles, writes us an interesting letter from Harrismith, South Africa, under date July 26, 1903. He says : "I have no doubt that you and also the people at Tamworth would like to hear of the incident that occurred here on the 15th of July. We had a large ceremonial parade, in which all the troops of the garrison took part. They comprised the 3rd Dragoon Guards, 1st Battalion South Staffords, and the 4th King's Royal Rifles, Artillery, and Departmental Corps. After the regiments of the line had marched past, we were all formed up for the presentation of medals, and I am pleased to say that there was one lady from Tamworth, Miss Chadwick, of Hints Hall, whom no doubt everyone knows, was presented with the "Order of the Red Cross." This is a medal which is presented to Army Nursing Sisters for their devotion to the hospitals. The General made a very fine speech, and said he was very pleased to be able to present Miss Chadwick with such a medal for the good work she had done during the late war, and for her devotion as a nursing sister to the hospital. I have only seen Miss Chadwick once, but all the soldiers who have been in hospital tell me that she works with untiring energy, and is always very kind to them. We all feel very proud that she obtained the decoration. Private Titterton, of the 1st South Staffords, was also presented with the "Distinguished Service Medal." The facts of this case are that he carried a wounded officer out of action, under a very heavy fire, at Ficksburg, which place is between Ladybrand and the Basuto land border (nearer the latter than the former). I think all Tamworthians ought to be proud that someone amongst the many soldiers that the old town sends forth has got such a decoration. I myself, as a Tamworth man, felt very proud of him, and I can assure you, as one who has been all through the war, that it was not unjustly earned. Titterton is the only fellow amongst all of us who has got the D.S.M., and I think he deserves a little praise even from a soldier. He landed out in this country in April, 1900, and went all through the war."
Tamworth Herald, Saturday 5th September 1903

Berenice
That DCM recipient took a bit of finding! There is no F. Titterton of the South Staffs shown in Abbott's "DCM Recipients"; however, a Private of that name and unit is shown "mentioned" in Lord Roberts' list of 4/9/01. Moreover, in the "Army Honours and Promotions" under the heading "Medal for Distinguished Conduct in the Field", in the category "South Stafford Regt" is shown one Pte. F. Tetherton as a recipient. Abbott gives his number as 5083 and his award was notified in LG 27/9/01 and AO 15/02, with no details.
Well, now we know he was decorated for saving life under fire - and where. The newspaper report adds considerably to an otherwise bland entry in Abbott. Hopefully, someone out there has his medals.
Miss Chadwick of Hints Hall is shown under the heading "The Royal Red Cross, etc" as Supt. Miss E.M.Chadwick, Hospital Ship "Maine" .
Regards
IL.

Fantastic research, Berenice and IL!

LinneyI wrote: Berenice
That DCM recipient took a bit of finding! There is no F. Titterton of the South Staffs shown in Abbott's "DCM Recipients"; however, a Private of that name and unit is shown "mentioned" in Lord Roberts' list of 4/9/01. Moreover, in the "Army Honours and Promotions" under the heading "Medal for Distinguished Conduct in the Field", in the category "South Stafford Regt" is shown one Pte. F. Tetherton as a recipient. Abbott gives his number as 5083 and his award was notified in LG 27/9/01 and AO 15/02, with no details.
Well, now we know he was decorated for saving life under fire - and where. The newspaper report adds considerably to an otherwise bland entry in Abbott. Hopefully, someone out there has his medals.
Miss Chadwick of Hints Hall is shown under the heading "The Royal Red Cross, etc" as Supt. Miss E.M.Chadwick, Hospital Ship "Maine" .
Regards
IL.

...."The King has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following appointments, honours, and medals for distinguished conduct in the field to the undermentioned officers and soldiers during the operations in South Africa: —
....Staff : To be a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George—Lieut.-Colonel Charles à Court.
....South Staffordshire Regiment : To be Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel—Major H. W Steward. To have the Distinguished Conduct Medal—Private F. Tetherton. (This name should no doubt be written Private F. Titterton).
....3rd Militia Battalion the South Staffordshire Regiment : To be a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order—Lieutenant A. F. de Trafford (now Second Lieut, the South Staffordshire Regiment)."
Tamworth Herald, Saturday 5th October 1901 *The de Trafford family lived at Haselour Hall, north of Tamworth.

A letter from Bandsman F. Titterton, 1st South Staffordshire Regiment, of Kettlebrook, Tamworth, appeared in the local paper on 1st September 1900. He wrote from Willow Grange Farm, near Ficksburg, and referred to the deaths of Captain Grogan and Second Lieutenant Branker of the South Staffords.

21st December 1901 : "We have received an interesting letter from Private F. Titterton, D.C.M., of the 1st South Staffordshire Regiment. At the time of writing, he was stationed at Harrismith, Orange River Colony. Owing to the Army regulations, his letter cannot be published."

13th June 1903 : Writing from Harrismith on May 1, a military correspondent says the 1st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment, which is stationed at Harrismith, received their South African medals on Saturday, April 25. "The battalion received the following honours for the South African campaign ::—1 Companion of the Bath, Lieut.-Col. H. A. Raitt ; 1 Brevet-Lieut.-Colonelcy, Major H. W. Steward ; 2 Brevet Majorities, Capt. G. N. Going and Capt. L. B. Moss ; 4 Distinguished Service Orders, Major E. Layton, Major R. Glover, Capt. Stacpoole, and Lieut. A. F. de Trafford ; 8 distinguished conduct medals, Lieut. and Qmr. F. H. White, Sergt.-Major Hazelgrove, Qmr.Sergt. Belt, Col.-Sergts. Harry, Leonard, Hazelwood, and Privs. Titterton and Herdman."

3rd October 1914 : Local Men On Service - Kettlebrook: Corporal F. Titterton, 5085 3rd South Staffs. Regt.

29th March 1919 : The demobilised soldiers of Kettlebrook were entertained on Saturday . . . The Chairman presented to Sergt.-Drummer F. Titterton, South Staffs. Regt, a long service and good conduct medal, to gain which he said a soldier must have an absolutely clear character. Sergt. Titterton joined the army nearly 22 years ago, from Kettlebrook, when he was working for Messrs. Fisher and Co.. and he was glad now he was demobilised he had returned to the firm. He served during the South African campaign, and gained the D.C.M. as well as two other medals. He also served during the late European war, for which he was to receive another decoration. The time he spent in the army was 21 years and 210 days, and so he thought they would agree that Sergt. Titterton deserved the honours—(applause)—Sergt. Titterton briefly and suitably responded.