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Hi
I realise that I am replying to a message over 4 years old but I am making a start on researching the Darwen men who served in the Boer War. I have attached an image of William Bland that appeared in one of the local newspapers

Regards, Tony

Thanks, Tony. I have quite a few pieces from the Blackburn Times I haven't sorted through yet.

....Mrs. Day, of Olive-lane, Darwen, has received two letters from her husband, Private Day (no. 3,216) of the 1st East Lancashire Regiment, who was killed at the battle of Karee. In the first letter, which is dated March 13th, 1900, he says his regiment has left Jacobsdal and marched to a place called Brunsvaal, a distance of 21 miles. After resting here for some time they proceeded to Poplar Grove, and arrived there tired and done up. He states that his regiment was only 40 miles from Bloemfontein, Lord Roberts being 12 miles ahead of them. Just before leaving Jacobsdal a heavy hailstorm was experienced, the hailstones being as big as hen eggs, and Private Day says he had lumps on his head caused by them.
....In the second letter he says they were only a few hours' march from Bloemfontein, and were having a three days' rest. He had not had a wash for four days and a shave for six weeks.
The Blackburn Times, Saturday 28th April 1900

Here is a photo from the estate that I am looking after and it is quite appropriate right here..... Mike

It reads: SACRED TO MEMORY OF ROYAL ENGINEERS WHO FELL JANU. 6 1900 R.I.P.
At Bottom: WAGON HILL LADYSMITH

Waggon Hill, Ladysmith

Many thanks for the image and it is just possible to make out the name of Bland
Thanks again, Tony

....Intelligence was conveyed to Mrs. Candy, on Tuesday, from the War Office, that her husband, Sergeant Candy, had died from wounds received at Spion Kop. The news has created a painful sensation in Darwen, for the deceased soldier was a well-known man. He had been prominently identified with various religious movements, and was a really able evangelistic speaker. The Y.M.C.A. was specially indebted to him, for he had been a zealous worker for that religious body. He had during his service with the colours been in India and Egypt, and on army life generally was a most entertaining speaker. The singular feature of Sergeant Candy's career has been that when he was called up for active service in South Africa he had but four days to go before he became a time-expired man. He leaves a wife and three little children, who thus become the first recipients of the local War Fund.
The Blackburn Times, Saturday 10th February 1900