TOPIC:

In the porch at the Guildhall, Northampton, along with three other ABW memorials. The porch looks to be accessible at all times.




. LIEUT. G. A. COVE.
LIEUT. B. J. SWANNELL.
SERGT. MJR C. IVES.
FARRIER SERG. G. PERKINS.
TROOPER S. A. BARBER.
TROOPER T. GOOSEY.
TROOPER F. L. HIGGINS.
TROOPER S. C. McKINNELL.
TROOPER M. PIERCE.
TROOPER A. SMITH.
TROOPER A. E. THOMPSON.
TROOPER W. WREN.
TROOPER ARCH. REYNOLDS. FIRST CLASS SERG. A. C. MACKANESS.
SERGT F. EKINS.
SERGT W. F. GEE.
SERGT W. JOHNSON.
PRIVATE C. T. E. BETTS.
PRIVATE G. R. BURDETT.
PRIVATE W. T. DICKENS.
PRIVATE H. DREW.
PRIVATE W. DUNKLEY.
PRIVATE G. FLOWER.
PRIVATE H. F. FREEMAN.
PRIVATE J. B. HOUGHTON.
PRIVATE A. HUTCHINS.
PRIVATE W. JOHNSON.
PRIVATE W. KINGSTON.
PRIVATE S. KINGSTON.
PRIVATE O. H. LEWIS.
PRIVATE J. LINNELL.
PRIVATE W. C. LORD.
PRIVATE A. LLOYD.
PRIVATE A. E. MILLER.
PRIVATE F. PAKES.
PRIVATE A. H. RICE.
PRIVATE JOS. WM. ROBINSON.
PRIVATE H. SHAW.
PRIVATE J. SPICER.
PRIVATE W. STURGESS.
PRIVATE A. TEAR.
PRIVATE C. A. WARD.
PRIVATE H. WATSON.
PRIVATE C. WESTLEY.
PRIVATE H. WHITLOCK. PRIVATE A. FARROW.








....DEATH OF AN AMBULANCE VOLUNTEER.—We regret to announce the death, from pneumonia, on July 17th, of Private Albert Farrow, of Earl's Barton. The young man, who was about 20 years of age, was the last Ambulance Volunteer from Earl's Barton and set sail from Southampton on board the Rosslyn Castle on the 6th of February last. The last letter he wrote to his parents was dated July 5th. It was of a very cheerful character, and the young man was then on the steamship Pinemour, returning home. The letter was received on Saturday, and on the same morning news was recorded of his death in the daily papers. The letter contained no reference to any illness, and it is assumed that he was in good health when it was written. On Saturday morning Superintendent Ferry telegraphed to the War Office, and receiving a reply in the affirmative, he wired the sad intelligence to Superintendent Thorpe. The deceased was much respected, and was a general favourite with all who were brought into contact with him. Much sympathy is felt with his parents in their sad loss. Previous to this all Volunteers. Ambulance men, Regulars, and Reserves from Earls Barton, the number being nearly 40, have escaped unhurt.
The Northampton Mercury, Friday 2nd August 1901......Private Farrow is also remembered with a tablet in Earls Barton Parish Church.
. . .
Lieutenant George Arkesden Cove, 47th (Duke of Cambridge's Own) Company
Lieutenant Blair Inskip Swannell, 37th (Buckinghamshire) Company
Sergeant Major Christopher Ives.
Farrier Sergeant Edward Perkins, 37th (Buckinghamshire) Company
Trooper Sydney A. Barber, 65th (Leicestershire) Company
Trooper T. Goosey.
Trooper Frederick Lancelot Higgins, 37th (Buckinghamshire) Company
Trooper Stanley Colin McKinnell
Trooper M. Pierce - John Montague Pierce? 49th (Montgomeryshire) Company?
Trooper A. Smith, 37th (Buckinghamshire) Company
Trooper Albert Ernest Thompson, 38th (High Wycombe) Company
Trooper W. Wren, 37th (Buckinghamshire) Company
Trooper Archibald Reynolds, 38th (High Wycombe) Company


....I would mention two whose names I have ascertained. Sergeant-major Cole, of the Bucks Yeomanry, and Throgmorton. a trooper in the Oxfords. These two continued in action after being wounded, the former with a bullet through the shoulder, and the latter with a gunshot wound in the head, and sooner than crowd the ambulance they rode in afterwards, 12 miles in the darkness, through one of the worst thunderstorms it has been my lot to witness. What they must have suffered in the state they were in they alone know."
Northampton Mercury, Friday 18th May 1900


....On Saturday Superintendent Norman received at Towcester a post-card from Sergeant-Major Cole, stating that he had nearly recovered from his wound [bullet though the shoulder], and was "rejoining the boys the next week to get a bit of his own back." A letter has also been received by the family of Staff-Sergeant Farrier E. Perkins, of the Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa, whose many local friends will be gratified to learn that he is in good health.
The Bucks Herald, Saturday 26th May 1900


....Mr. Stanley Colin McKinnell, son of Mr. W. McKinnell, President of the Northampton and District Chemists' Association, of Wood-hill, Northampton, sailed with a detachment of the Imperial Yeomanry on the Oratava, on Monday, for the war.
The Northampton Mercury, Friday 1st March 1901


....Very few peop!e were present at the Northampton Castle Station when Sergeant-Farrier E. Perkins and Trooper A. Smith, both of the 37th Company of the Imperial Yeomanry, who went out in February, 1900, to South Africa, arrived home at 1.30 on Sunday morning by the midnight mail, having been invalided home. Sergeant Perkins has had a very rough time, having been suffering from dysentery for the last six months, and he has not yet recovered. Trooper Smith was invalided home as the result of a serious bullet wound in his right hip, which he received in a small skirmish. He, however, does not feel any pain from the wound now, although he still limps a little. Both men were with Methuen in most of his big fights, and they sailed home on the Auraulan, which arrived at Southampton at 8 o'clock on Saturday morning. At the station they were met by Sergeant-major Friese, of the Bucks Yeomanry, stationed at Northampton, a few of the Yeomen, and their relatives and personal friends. Trooper Smith was for a month a prisoner in the hands of the Boers, who captured him near Lichtenburg last September whilst on patrol. He, however, effected his escape early in the following month. Probably there would have been many more present at the station but for the fact that their arrival was not expected; indeed, it was not until late in the evening that they telegraphed home saying when they would arrive.
The Northampton Mercury, Friday 26th April 1901


....Mrs. Cove, of Northampton, has received a telegram from the War Office informing her that her son, Lieutenant G. A. Cove, was severely wounded at Schietfontein on August 1st. Fortunately, the message adds Lieutenant Cove is progressing favourably. Lieutenant Cove holds a commission in the 40th Company of the Imperial Yeomanry, which is attached to the 10th Battalion, so long a part of Lord Methuen's Column operating in the Western Portion of the Transvaal. Schietfontein, where the gallant officer received his wound, is a little place in this district. It is situated on the Harts River, which is a tributary of the Vaal, originating not very far from Kimberley, and continuing its course right along to Lichtenburg. Schietfontein is not very far from the North-Western border of the Orange River Colony. Lieutenant Cove was originally in the Duke of Cambridge's Company of the Imperial Yeomanry. He left England for his second spell of warfare in March last, joining the 40th Company in South Africa.
The Northampton Mercury, Friday 9th August 1901


....Mr. B. I. Swannell, the Northampton Rugby forward, has been granted a commission in the Imperial Yeomanry. Mr. Swannell is now at Aldershot, and will probably go to South Africa early in March. It will be remembered that Mr. Swannell went to South Africa with the 37th (Royal Bucks) Company of the Imperial Yeomanry, and saw a lot of hard fighting during the twelve months for which he enlisted. He was in the fight at Boshof.
The Northampton Mercury, Friday 24th January 1902

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....Lieut. G. A. Cove, of the Imperial Yeomanry, who was severely wounded in the arm at the front, has returned to Northampton, and is now practically well again.
The Northampton Mercury, Friday 21st February 1902


....On Saturday evening about 80 members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade bade farewell to Staff-sergeant Ekins, of the Northampton Corps, who has departed for South Africa. A presentation of surgical instruments took place.
....The Northampton Division have been requested to furnish six volunteers.
The Northampton Mercury, Friday 17th November 1899


....Of the volunteers from the Northampton Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade for orderly work on board hospital ship between England and the Cape, the following four gentlemen have been requested to proceed to St. John's Gate:—Mr. A. Lloyd. Northampton; Mr. W. T. Johuson, Earl's Barton; Mr. Charles Burdett, Far Cotton; and Mr. H. F Freeman, Hester-street, Northampton. Mr. S. Kingston, of Kingsthorpe, has also received instructions to prepare for foreign service.
The Northampton Mercury, Friday 24th November 1899


....Benjamin Houghton, son of Mr. Thomas Houghton, a member of the Earl's Barton division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, has been accepted for service in connection with the war. On Monday evening he left home for London, where he is to go through a short course of training at the headquarters, St. John Gate, London. He was escorted to the station by a number of the Earl's Barton Ambulance officers and men and a few of his personal friends, from whom he received a hearty send-off.
The Northampton Mercury, Friday 5th January 1900


....Since October last, quietly and unostentatiously, the officers of the St. John Ambulance Brigade have been continually mobilising detachments of the different corps for service in South Africa, until over 500 supernumerary officers and men are out on service. Another draft of 100 is now called for, and four members of the Northampton Corps left by the one p.m. train to-day (Friday) for St. John's Gate, London, the head quarters of the Brigade. First Officer Beale saw the men off at the Castle Station, and Chief Superintendent Perry will meet them in London to give them their final instruction. The names of these volunteers are: Bugler Lord (Earl's Barton Division), Members Kingston and Wesley (Paulerspury Division), and Mr. Johnson (Blisworth Division).
The Northampton Mercury, Friday 26th January 1900


....Blisworth War News.—Friday last witnessed the departure of Mr. William Johnson to the seat of war. Johnson is a member of the local Ambulance Corps, and has so far qualified himself in the various departments, and being of fine physique, is just the young man for the work, and it was thought that he should receive something at the hands of the villagers. Accordingly, Messrs. Hockaday, Young, and Paxton collected tbe sum of £3 3s. 2d., and this was handed to him on the station by Mr. Young, the secretary, several friends being there to wish him God-speed and a safe return. He was bound for the headquarters at St. John's Gate, Clerkenwell, London, where he will be under training for some little time.
The Northampton Mercury, Friday 2nd February 1900


....On Friday last Bugler W. Lord, of the Earl's Barton Division, who had received urgent orders to proceed to the headquarters in London, was accorded a hearty "send-off," most of the officers and members of the Earl's Barton Division accompanying their comrade to the station, as did also a number of the in-door employees of Messrs. Clifton and Knight's factory, where Mr. Lord was employed. This week his father and mother have received a letter from him from St. John's Gate, Clerkenwell, in which he states that he is very comfortable, and as there are quite a number there from various places in this neighbourhood, including Wollaston, Bozeat, Rushden, and Northampton. are quite at home one with the other.
The Northampton Mercury, Friday 2nd February 1900


....Private C. Ward, of the Earl's Barton Ambulance Corps, who volunteered for active service at the commencement of the war, but was rejected owing to varicose veins in the leg, has, however, been through an operation, at the Northampton Infirmary, and has now been accepted. On Monday he received a telegram asking him to be at the headquarters, St. John's Gate, on Wednesday, and he left Earl's Barton by the 12.33 train on Wednesday, several of the officers of the Earl's Barton Division being at the station to see him off. At the Castle Station, Northampton, Lady Superintendent Perry was present to see him off by the train leaving for London at one o'clock.
The Northampton Mercury, Friday 9th March 1900


....BLISWORTH.—The War.—Two other young men, members of the local Ambulance Corps, belonging to this village, Messrs. W. Dunkley and Harry Drew, who volunteered for active service, left on Saturday for the headquarters in London. They were each presented with about £3, which had been collected in the neighbourhood. Several members and friends were at the station to wish them God-speed and a safe return to their native village. This makes three ambulance men who have been chosen for Blisworth.
The Northampton Mercury, Friday 16th March 1900


....The distribution of the South African war medals to the members of the Northampton Corps of the St. John Ambulance Brigade was made by Earl Spencer, K.G., at Northampton Town Hall, on Saturday afternoon. The Mayor of Northampton (Councillor F. G. Adnitt, J.P.) presided at the interesting ceremony, which took place in the large hall, in the presence of other members of the corps, the Nursing Sisters of the district, and a number of the public.
....Lord Spencer, who was warmly applauded, said that he could not but recollect that it was just about a year ago when they met in that hall and had the supreme delight of welcoming back those men of the corps who had been out to South Africa. (Cheers.) The memory of that day was no doubt still fresh in their memories, as it was in his. There were some interesting and welcome speeches, and one thing his lordship remembered, the last personal message, as far as he had heard, from her Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, which Lord Northampton read—a message from the Queen to those who had been out to the war, thanking them for their voluntary services of mercy. His lordship thought that that expression was peculiarly appropriate to what the ambulance men had done. (Cheers.) The Mayor had referred to that distinguished soldier, Lord Roberts, distributing medals to the Volunteers who had been on active service in South Africa. Lord Spencer wished the ambulance men could have received their medals from Lord Roberts. They performed a more peaceful work than the soldiers, but an equally great and beneficial work for the country. (Cheers.) They could not have done a more generous or more patriotic work than that of helping to relieve those who suffered from war; and, as was said when they were welcomed home, they helped not only friends but gallant foes when necessary; they rescued the wounded from the field of battle even at the risk of their lives, risking too much, as they had heard from the distinguished General whose letter Lord Northampton also read. (Cheers.) They succoured the sick in hospital, and aided the wounded. Not only did they perform this great work for those fighting their country's battles, but they brought comfort to those who remained at home, to those whose dear ones were far away, relieving to a great extent, at any rate to some extent, the deep anxiety always felt for those undergoing the dangers of war. (Cheers.) All thanked tbe ambulance men for what they had done service, as his lordship had already said, equal to that of those who sacrificed their lives for their country. The country was grateful to all for it, and Northamptonshire, which he had the honour to represent there, was proud of the men who went out in such large numbers and in such generous and gallant spirit to help their fellow countrymen in war. (Cheers.) It would be with the greatest possible pleasure that he would give the medals to men who had so nobly and so deservedly won them. (Loud cheers.)
....Lord Spencer then presented the medals, the recipients mounting the platform to receive them in the following order:—
....First-class Sergeant Mackness, Northampton.
....Sergeant Gee, Northampton.
....Private Burdett, Northampton.
....Private S. Kingston, Northampton.
....Private W. Kingston, Paulerspury.
....Private J. W. Robinson, Northampton.
....Private C. A. Ward, Earl's Barton.
....Private O. H. Lewis, Brixworth.
....Private A. Tear, Northampton.
....Private G. Flower, Northampton.
....Private H. Whitlock, Blisworth.
....Private A. Hutchings, Northampton.
....Private W. Sturgess, Paulerspury.
....Private G. Westley, Paulerspury.
....Private A. E. Miller, Earl's Barton.
....Private H. Matson, Paulerspury.
....Private J. F. Spicer, Brixworth.
....Private W. T. Dickens, Northampton.
....Private T. Linnell, Paulerspury.
....Private F. Pakes, Northampton.
....Private J. B. Houghton, Earl's Barton.
....Bugler W. C. Lord, Earl's Barton.
....Private W. Johnson, Blisworth.
....Private D. H. Drew, Blisworth.
....Private W. Dunkley, Blisworth.
....Sergeant W. Johnson, Earl's Barton.
....Private C. T. E. Betts, Northampton.
....A remaining medal for Private A. Farrer, Earl's Barton, who has died since his return from South Africa, was handed by Lord Spencer to Superintendent T. F. Thorpe, of Earl's Barton, to convey to the family with a few kindly words of sympathy from his lordship.
....The Marquis of Northampton asked the company to pass a hearty vote of thanks to Lord Spencer for distributing the medals, and to their friend the Mayor for having allowed them to meet in the Town Hall, and for having taken the chair. (Cheers.)
The Northampton Mercury, Friday 10th January 1902


....Assistant Commissioner T. H. Woolston has received a third batch of clasps for the following men. who have already received the Queen's South African war medal:—
....Northampton Corps: Sergeant Ekins (1 clasp). Sergeant W. F. Gee (3), Private W. F. Dunkley (2), Private Drew (1), Private Farrow (1), Private G. Flower (2), Private O. H. Lewis (1), Private A. Tear (1), Private C. A. Ward (2).
The Northampton Mercury, Friday 11th December 1903


....Assistant Commissioner T. H. Woolston has received a fourth lot of clasps for service in South Africa for the following men:—
....Northampton Corps.—No. 1,681, Sergeant W. Johnson (three clasps); No. 4, Sergeant F. Elsing (one clasp); No. 1,763, Private A. Tears (one clasp); No. 768, Private D. H. Drewe (one clasp); No. 358, Private W Johnson (one clasp); No. 1,583, Private A. E. Miller (one clasp); No. 359, Private W Kingston (one clasp). No. 357, Private W. Lord (one clasp); No. 1,762, Private A. Farrow (one clasp, died on service).
The Northampton Mercury, Friday 25th November 1904

A really well researched and presented post, Berenice.

A great help to anyone carrying out research in this area.

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....On Saturday evening about 80 members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade bade farewell to Staff-sergeant Ekins, of the Northampton Corps, who has departed for South Africa. A presentation of surgical instruments took place.
....The Northampton Division have been requested to furnish six volunteers.
The Northampton Mercury, Friday 17th November 1899

First-Class Supernumerary Frank EKINS was the first Northampton St John’s Ambulance Brigade officer to volunteer for service (note his early service number 4).

In an article in the Northampton Mercury (4th May 1900), Chief Superintendent Perry states that on November 2nd 1899 “I received a communication from Head-quarters asking for 1st and 2nd grade hospital orderlies to form the staff of the hospital ship Princess of Wales. Two first-class supernumerary officers of the corps volunteered to forego their rank and join the ship as first grade orderlies. The first to offer was Mr Frank Ekins, whose services I gladly accepted, and he has since served with credit to himself and the corps on that vessel returning home at the end of February last with a detachment of 174 wounded. He is now on his way back to the Cape, having passed St Vincent on Monday last”.

No 4, Orderly [1st Class Supernumerary Officer] Frank EKINS received the QSA with clasps for Orange Free State, Cape Colony & South Africa 1901. Note in remarks column of QSA roll reads: "Home 21.6.01". He is also shown as working at No 3 General Hospital, Kroonstad, where he appears on the roll as Supernumerary Officer.





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Wow! Thanks,Neville. I see the thread had been used, and therefore probably the scissors too. Would there be needles under the flap where the inscription is?

Is it known where the case is kept now?

No needles I'm afraid. Just a couple of rather rusty safety pins, presumably for use with bandages.

The case is in my collection. Bought from the London Medal Co Ltd many moons ago.

Wow. And, as always, beautifully photographed.
Your collection is mind-blowing - keep posting!