TOPIC:

The first of Morecambe's S.J.A. men to die was Fred Siddle.



We regret to announce the death of Mr. Fred Siddle, which occurred in the Standerton Hospital, South Africa. Mr. Siddle, who was a member of the Morecambe Ambulance Brigade, left Morecambe in July last. A short time ago he was taken ill with that dreaded disease, enteric fever, and on Sunday morning the sad news reached here that he had passed away. Deceased, who was about 21 years of age, was a member of the Morecambe Cycling Club, and before leaving occupied a position as clerk in the Midland goods office, where he was well-liked and respected by his colleagues. He was the son of Mr. R. Siddle, senr., of Lancaster-road, and attended the Congregational Church, in Clark-street. Deep sympathy is expressed on all sides with the bereaved parents and relatives. Deceased went forth to assist a noble cause, and certainly died a noble death.

The services at the Congregational Chapel, Morecambe, on Sunday, were of a memorial character. Deceased was a scholar in the sunday school, and also a member of the congregation, his family being prominent and highly-respected members of the church. Sympathetic reference was made to the sad event at the morning service and the organist played the "Dead March" before the congregation separated.
In the evening a memorial service was held. The members of the Ambulance Brigade, under Supt. Hargreaves, were present in full force, and there was a large congregation. The choir led the singing of the special hymns and anthem with deep feeling.
The preacher for the day, Mr. T. Gill, Lancaster, spoke from the text "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord," (Rev. XIV., 13) in which he pointed out that the Christian death has not a failure or a mistake, but a triumph. It has the answer to the oft-repeated prayer "Thy Kingdom Come," and therefore should be the occasion for sanctified praise rather than a dirge or misrere. Death came to
- to those who had lived a long and useful life in the service of God and their fellows, and to others who were just beginning the life of service. In the latter case sad thoughts and regrets would rise in men's hearts whilst our humanity was what it was, and in the presence of such a working out of God's providence they could only say "Even so, Father, for so it seemeth good in Thy sight." To most people the presence of death seemed depressing, often revolting, and sometimes to be feared. But in the light of the text, how different should be our conception of death. It was because they looked on death as "The King of Terrors" that they were afraid, but if they realised that he was God's angel messenger, bringing rest and peace to tired souls, there was no need to fear. After dwelling upon these points at length the preacher concluded :- We mourn to-day the loss of a brave young soldier of Christ, who in the fullness of manhood and in the performance of duty in a far-off land has been called from earth. But if we appreciate the grandeur and beauty of the text our mourning is not without hope. We cannot but admire
of young Siddle and his colleagues who have gone from this town - and from this congregation - to minister to wounded men, to tender aid to those in peril and pain on the battlefield or the hospital. These men are heroes, every one of them, and those who succumb through sickness and other cause deserve the hero's crown! "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend" In a very real sense young Siddle has laid down his life for his fellows. He volunteered for service in the Ambulance Brigade. He left home, friends, kindred, loved ones at the call of duty. His mission was that of a non-combatant ; his desire was not to take life but to save it ; not to inflict pain but to assuage it. Such labour as this is truly Christian. I can conceive no ministry more Christ-like. Truly it may be said respecting young Siddle and the noble army of ambulance volunteers, that "inasmuch as they have done it unto one of the least of these," the brethren of Christ, "they have done it also unto Him." They deserve our sympathy, and all the help our prayers can give. We cannot help but mourn at the loss of so brave a man, but at the same time we could not have wished for him
for he died in serving others. You knew him better than I did ; you knew he was a good young man. That is the testimony of those who knew him. And goodness is more than greatness. Great men are few, but good men are everywhere, and their influence in a quiet way is great. Young Siddle by his life and by his death speaks to those who knew him who are left. He has shown us the path of duty, which is the path of right! South Africa will ever be sacred to one family here particularly; and to this congregation generally it will be different to what it has been before. It is the burying place of loved ones, and it will be very near our hearts. the silent graves on the lonely Veldt contain the remains of those whose face and form we shall see no more till the resurrection morning. The far off land will be dear to us, and its future history will be followed with deep interest. If the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church, so the
will be the consecration of the land of that mighty continent. There our dear ones - gallant officers, brave soldiers, and heroic ambulance men and tender nurses - will speak for good, though their lips are sealed in death. We cannot quarrel over the graves of our departed. South Africa will be all the better because of the tender interest the English people will take in it henceforth. Brave men speak to us from their graves, and bid us Christianise the land, and win its people for God. And we may not disregard the call! Though we shall see young Siddle no more until the morning of the day of days, his influence is not lost. May we all follow him in so far as he has done the will of Christ. And we will not withhold our profound and sincere sympathy from the aged parents upon whom this bereavement has fallen so heavily. We extend to them
and commend them and the members of the family to the God of Love, who is all-wise, all-tender, all-merciful, and all-loving.
The "Dead March" was played with great feeling by the organist during the service, and a short time was spent in private prayer and meditation, at the request of the preacher, who desired that intercessory prayer might be offered on behalf of the bereaved family. The service was most impressive and touching.
At a general meeting of the above St. John Ambulance Brigade the following resolution was submitted :-
"That the officers and members, and the members of the nursing division, have heard with deepest regret of the death of their comrade Private Fred Siddle, No. 1505, who died of enteric fever in South Africa, while serving his country as a volunteer hospital orderly with the Natal Field Force. They desire to place on record their esteem for their late comrade, and to express to his parents and relations their sincerest sympathy with them in their bereavement." At the same meeting it was decided to attend a memorial service in the Parish Church on Sunday next in memory of the deceased and to invite representatives of all the public bodies in the town to meet at the Albert Hall at 9-45.

Morecambe Visitor, November 1900


Mr. and Mrs. Siddle on behalf of themselves and family beg to tender their heartfelt gratitude for the very many expressions of sympathy they have received from all sections of the community upon the death of their son in South Africa. The sympathy so largely manifested towards them in their sorrow has been a great consolation to them and they wish publicly to convey their thanks for the same.

The officers and members of the Morecambe Division St. John Ambulance Brigade, desire to thank the members of the Morecambe District Council and officials, the School Board, the Freemasons, Fire Brigade, the employees from the Midland and L. & N. W. Stations, the postal officials, and the general public, for the respect shown to their deceased colleague by their attendance at the Parish Church, on Sunday last.

Morecambe Visitor, 28 November 1900



The following pathetic letter was received by Mr and Mrs Siddle only yesterday morning: - Dear Father and Mother, - I have received your two letters. We have been very busy lately, so I have had no time for anything. We took in 74 men and five officers from Gen. French last week, and another lot from Gen. Clery. French's lot were mostly suffering from wounds, but the lot from Clery are sick with fever.

I am sorry to have to tell you that I have had a week in hospital, but I am out again. I was on night duty with a very bad case of dysentery, and I think I must have got it there, as the man died the same night.

We are getting quieter now, as there has been two hospital train loads of patients sent down country for the boats and convalescent depots, and another is expected daily, which will almost clear the hospital altogether. The railway is blown up about 8 miles from us; I think that is causing the delay. We are not going to move from here, as the hospital that Miller went to has gone to Pretoria in our place; they passed here a fortnight ago. You have never mentioned in any of your letters about receiving a photo of the ship we came out in. I sent one from Newcastle, and I hope you have got it all right. I have had letters from Liverpool and Shipley, and one from Crowther, saying that Helme had thrown Foster in the election. I hope it is by a good majority, but he does not give the figures. I hope you have sent no letters or anything lately, as I shall be on my road home by the time you get this, as my time will be finished. I see by the paper that Burton got a surprise when he arrived; he went back on the same boat that we came on. Three more will arrive this month. Briggs and the others who came out first will just manage it for Christmas. I don't know of anything else. I am in the best of health again, feeling a great deal better after my illness, as I received the best attention whilst I was in hospital. I will now close with respect to all. - I remain, your affectionate son,


A TRIBUTE TO HIS MEMORY.
The few lines I am writing, are about a Morecambe lad,
Who died away in Africa, and left his friends so sad;
One of the Ambulance Brigade who volunteered to go
To nurse the sick and wounded, and his patriotism show.
It seems but only yesterday he walked before a crowd
Who watched their countrymen go out, and cheered in praises loud.
Alas! not only shot and shell our bravest soldiers kill,
That deadly fever steals on them mysteriously and still;
Not England's greatest generals, that dreadful foe can stay -
When once it gets amongst the ranks, its errand is to slay.
He to that dread disease soon fell a victim and he died -
And 'mongst those men he'd tried to save, was soon laid side by side.
Oh! what a noble death to die, whilst others try to save!
It proved such men to really be the bravest of the brave.
And though his parents mourn their loss, and take it sore to heart,
They know their son in dying thus, has played a hero's part -
Though in a distant land he died, his memory will be dear,
And in the hearts of all his friends will linger many a year.
Morecambe Visitor, 5 December 1900

Hi Berenice

A time ago I find this on Pinterest:



Source: za.pinterest.com/pin/145030050473880016/

Alexp wrote: I photographed this plaque when I visited SJAB HQ in Preston

Do not know how to insert picture hopefully the attachment will work

I've come across the press report for the unveiling of this memorial plaque.

The members of the Preston branch of the St. John Ambulance Corps have paid a splendid tribute to the memory of three colleagues, who died in the South African War, by dedicating to them a bed in the Infirmary. On Saturday afternoon [9th December 1905] the interesting ceremony of unveiling a brass tablet placed over the head of the bed was performed by the Earl of Lathom, in the presence of a large assembly of ambulance men and others.
The bed is situated in one of the main wards, and the brass tablet bears the following inscription: -
Dr. Sellers, who is provincially identified with the corps, extended a hearty welcome to Lord Lathom, and in speaking of the work of the brigade, said the branch was formed in 1889. It was then a very small body of men, but it had gradually grown, until at last they had in every workshop and factory at least one or a squad of men who were qualified to render first aid to the injured. There was a ready response to the invitation of the War Office for volunteers for service in South Africa, and the Preston branch were almost the first to send out men to do duty. In all, some 90 members rendered aid to the sick and wounded in the war, but three of them succumbed to enteric fever, and on that day they were assembled to pay a lasting tribute to them.
Dr. Sellers went on to explain that a small fund was started for the purpose of dedicating a bed, but it was only due to the generous action of the infirmary authorities that they had succeeded. The bed, he might explain, had been granted for the infinitely small sum of 50 guineas.
Lord Lathom, before unveiling the tablet, spoke of his early connection with ambulance work, and said he first became acquainted with it at Eton, where he was a schoolboy. He still remembered with some pride what he learnt then, though his knowledge was now somewhat rusty. The noble earl then mentioned that he had gladly acquiesced to the invitation to unveil the tablet because, in a great measure, he was bound by a debt of gratitude to the ancient and proud town of Preston, especially as he was an honorary freeman of the borough. But they were met together to pay a tribute to the memory of those members of the corps who had given their lives to their country, just as freely as those who had fallen in battle. St. John Ambulance men were, however, ready and willing to give their services in times of peace, and it was for this and other reasons that they were so proud of the brigade. His lordship hoped that the memorial would act as an incentive to the young men of Preston and of the country to go and do likewise.
Lord Lathom then unveiled the tablet, and the Last Post was sounded.
The Mayor of Preston proposed a vote of thanks to the earl for coming to Preston, and said they were always glad to welcome his lordship amongst them.
Dr. Trimble seconded, and spoke in detail of the work of the brigade. They had ambulance men everywhere, and although they did not want war, yet if it should break out again the organisation could send out double the number of men.
Sir W. E. M. Tomlinson also supported, and the vote was heartily carried. In acknowledging it, Lord Lathom said it had been a great pleasure to him to perform such a ceremony, because he had a high opinion of ambulance men and their work.
The Lancashire Daily Post, Monday 11th December 1905

Berenice
The Palmer roll shows "George E. Holden" as "839 Pte, Holden, G.E., Died of Disease, Bloemfontein 12/6/00" unit SJAB and notation Civ.Surgeon/Vol. Amb.
A candidate for "Harold Prescott" is " 16597 Pte. Prescott, H, Died of Disease, Standerton, 23/4/02, RAMC".
A candidate for "Arthur Turner is "16599 Pte. Pte. A.Turner, Died of Disease, Pretoria, 9/5/02, RAMC, specially enlisted".
Regards
IL.