I came across the beginnings of an account of William's military service whilst browsing the South Wales Daily News dated 23rd November 1899 and found under the 'Letters From The Front' column a rather sad but courageous story. I felt that he should have a thread dedicated to himself rather than joining the thread to the newspaper articles recently posted.
The SWDN from that date:
"A VOLUNTEERS LAST LETTER.
The parents of Trooper William Cleaver, of the Natal Carbineers, who died of wounds sustained at Rietfontein, received by the last Cape mail the following letter written by him at Ladysmith shortly before the engagement. "I think the next few days will start the ball rolling, and we hope to have a little of our own back. I never saw men so deadly in earnest about anything before---both regulars and irregulars. The 'Tommies' are fairly straining to get at them. We always keep our horses saddled . I have not had my clothes off for a week now and top boots and spurs are not the most comfortable things to sleep in . We have just got orders to prepare for another move and I fancy there will be some stiff fighting."
He did not have long to wait for his baptism of fire. I will now let the unit information on the relevant ABW page take up the story:
"On October 24th ,the Natal Carbineers took an active part in the engagement at Rietfontein, better known as Tinta 'Nyoni, under Sir George White. By a skilful flank movement, the Natal Carbineers with the other Natal Mounted Volunteer Corps, succeeded in turning the enemy from their main position. Here Sergeant Collins and Trooper Cleaver were killed the first time the volunteers were under shellfire."
So it sounds highly likely that William was killed as a result of artillery action.
William attested to the Natal Carbineers on 29th September 1899 and, according to the ABW information died on 24th October 1899. However, Watt (2000) says that he was wounded at Rietfontein on the 24th but did not succumb to his wounds until the 28th.
Either way, his military service was tragically short, only serving between 26 and 30 days maximum.
The Register of Deceased Soldier's Effects (95617) tells us that his uncle William was the recipient of young William's War Gratuity.
As for Trooper William Cleaver, he was entitled to the Queens South Africa medal with the clasp NATAL ( WO100/260).
I do not know if his QSA is still extant.
Another young life poignantly extinguished in the violent maelstrom of war.....
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