TOPIC:

In St Margaret's Church, Hollinwood, near Oldham.
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The backboard at the centre of the pediment, as the backboard is clearly damaged, and it looks as though something was forcibly removed, perhaps stolen?
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....On Wednesday evening, an enthusiastic send-off was given to Trooper Albert Horrobin, jun., of 60, Stanley-road, Hollinwood, who has volunteered for service at the front, has been at Aldershot undergoing a preliminary training, and who came home on Tuesday morning on two days' leave, and will sail from Southampton on Saturday for South Africa. On Tuesday evening, a social was held in St. Margaret's Sunday School, when over sixty of his friends, including the teachers and elder scholars, were present. A convivial and enjoyable evening was spent. Mr. John Swallow presided over the gathering. Trooper Horrobin, he said, was going away on his King's and country's service, and he hoped he would not long be away. They were all very sorry to part with him. Trooper Horrobin was held in high respect and esteem among them. He had been an energetic and devoted worker in the Sunday School for a long period, and held the position of secretary also. He wished him God-speed and a safe and speedy return. Mr. J. H. Hall (superintendent) also addressed the gathering, and also Messrs. Frank Leech, T. Taylor, and J. H. Taylor. Mr. Israel Wilkes, the teacher of the Young Men's Class, made a presentation, on behalf of the teachers and scholars of St. Margaret's Sunday School, consisting of a splendid field-glass, which he hoped would prove useful to him in his service abroad. Trooper Horrobin briefly thanked all for their kind expressions of goodwill, and said he would always appreciate their splendid present and the kindness that had prompted it. He hoped that he would again have the pleasure of meeting them when he returned. Trooper Horrobin left Hollinwood Station on Wednesday evening on the 9-47 train to catch one at London-road* at 10-11. He was accompanied from Manchester by several local yeomen, including Mr. Frank Leech, Mr. Samuel Wilks, Mr. F. Pickford, Mr. H. Schofield, and others. The platform at Hollinwood Station and the entrance was crowded with friends and scholars from the Sunday school, and there was much hand-shaking and hearty wishes for a speedy and safe return. As the train steamed out of the station, loud and enthusiastic cheers were accorded the departing trooper, and a number of youths struck up with "Soldiers of the King," which they sang in a hearty manner.
Oldham Standard, Saturday 16th February 1901...........*Now called Manchester Piccadilly station
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. . ....The sad intelligence was recived at Hollinwood yesterday afternoon that Trooper Albert Horrobin, jun. (21,870), of the 33rd Company I Y, had died at Heilbron from enteric fever. A War Office telegram was received on Wednesday that he was dangerously ill, and the news that the worst has happened, also flashed to Hollinwood by telegram from the War Office, has cast great gloom over the district, where the unfortunate young fellow was exceedingly popular. He was the eldest son of Mr. John Horrobin, 60, Stanley-road, and grandson of Mr. William Horrobin, chairman of the Oldham Board of Guardians. He was a mechanic at the Chamber Ironworks, at the time he volunteered for service at the front, and his departure from Hollinwood on February 13th was the occasion of an enthusiastic send-off by his numerous friends. He was a tall, well-built young man, and was a worthy acquisition to the British Army in South Africa. He was a Sunday School teacher, and was always an earnest and devoted worker in anything associated with St. Margaret's Church. He had long been connected with the Sunday School, and had held the position of secretary. Previous to his departure the teachers, elder scholars, and a number of friends, numbering together about 60, met to wish Trooper Horrobin God-speed, and presented him with a splendid field-glass, which it was hoped would prove useful to him while on service abroad. The scene when the ill-fated Yeoman left the station was a most inspiriting and memorable one, and he was accompanied to Manchester by several local Yeomen. Horrobin was in good spirits, and thoroughly confident that he would once more return to his friends, but alas! he had not taken into his reckoning the fatal enteric, and relations and friends, and a heartbroken sweetheart, now mourn his premature demise.
Oldham Standard, Saturday 18th May 1901
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. . . ....The flag at St. Margaret's Sunday School, Hollinwood, was hoisted to half-mast on Saturday as a mark of respect to the memory of the late Trooper Horrobin, whose sad death had already been reported. In the Sunday school, morning and afternoon, sympathetic reference was made by the Superintendents, Messrs. J. H. Hall and J. Swallow, both of whom alluded to the valuable services Trooper Horrobin had rendered when among them. He had always been one of the foremost to help forward the work of their Sunday school. They expressed the sorrow and grief they all felt on hearing the sad news of his death, and their sincere wishes that comfort and consolation might be given to his bereaved parents and friends in their sorrow. The teachers and scholars were all visibly affected while reference was being made. Appreciative prayers were offered, and the beautiful hymn, "Thy will be done," was specially sung by the teachers and scholars with much feeling. At the close of divine service on Sunday morning at St. Margaret's Church, Mr. F. W. Wright, the organist, as a mark of respect, effectively played the "March Funebre," the congregation standing meanwhile.
....A letter was received by the parents by Sunday morning's post, dated in April, in which Trooper Horrobin said how well and hearty he had been, and spoke of going to see some of his comrades, who had gone from Oldham and district at the same time as he, mentioning the names of Troopers Harrison and Emmot, whom he had been to see in hospital. as they were recovering from enteric. He spoke of himself as being about the only one of their number who had so far escaped the complaint. He must, however, have caught the fatal complaint shortly after the time he sent off his letter.
. HORROBIN. - On the 15th inst., at Heilbron, South Africa, of enteric, Albert, the eldest and loved son of John and Jane Horrobin, 60, Stanley-road, Hollinwood, in his 25th year.
Oldham Daily Standard, Monday 20th May 1901

HEILBRON CEMETERY, SOUTH AFRICA

"HORRITON." Was that the official name he served under in the Imperial Yeomanry?

Berenice, the spelling is wrong on the monument. I often see names misspelled, especially on the iron crosses of the privates.

BereniceUK wrote: "HORRITON." Was that the official name he served under in the Imperial Yeomanry?

Looks like a wrong spelling on monument Berenice.







Dave......