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In February 1900, a committee was set up to field subscriptions for the purpose of buying telescopes for infantry battalions at the front. The hope was to be able to supply all Lancashire-based regiments with 140 five-shilling x12 scopes per battalion. By April, 580 instruments had been purchased and sent to South Africa. Unfortunately, most did not reach their intended regiments until December, as, for many months, railway companies were only allowed to carry provisions for the troops.

“Lord Wemyss, who for years past has insisted that telescopes, not field glasses, should be supplied to the Army, was exceedingly pleased with the performance of the one which is being sent out” (Manchester Courier, 24 Feb 1900).

The telescope below comes from the complete set of 140 instruments subscribed for by Sir William Bailey, at a cost of £50. These were forwarded to the 1st Battalion Manchester Regiment “in recognition of their gallant stand at Caesar’s Camp, near Ladysmith”. Each telescope was printed with the name and address of the donor and the fact that it had been purchased through the “Telescope Fund”.

Given that a Negretti & Zambra “Army Signalling Telescope” cost £2 2s, at little more than a tenth of this price, the above unbranded instruments were clearly not of the finest quality. Folded, the example shown is just six inches long and is very light. Despite this, Lieutenant-Colonel Curran, commanding 1st Bn. Manchester Regiment, wrote a letter of gratitude to the committee, stating "all ranks are delighted with them, and they are in daily use".

I imagine few will have survived the rigours of war.




3-draw telescope, with faux leather covering printed in black: "FIRST BATTALION / MANCHESTER / REGIMENT / No. [blank] of 140 / Presented, March, 1900 / by Sir William Bailey, / Sale Hall, / Cheshire. / through the Telescope / Fund Committee. / C.E. Stromeyer, / Manchester".




Manchester Courier, 24th February 1900

TELESCOPES FOR INFANTRY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE “MANCHESTER COURIER”.

Sir, – I beg to inform you that a committee has been formed for the above purpose. The names are as follows: – Sir W.H. Bailey, ex-Mayor of Salford; W.S. Boddington, Esq., 1, Princess Street, Manchester; Henry Harrison, Esq., Blackburn; George Harwood, Esq., M.P., Bolton; Beresford V. Melville, Esq., M.P., Stockport; Mr C.E. Stromeyer, chief engineer, Manchester Steam Users’ Association. An account has been opened at Messrs Williams Deacon and Manchester and Salford Bank, and subscriptions should be made payable to the “Telescope Fund”. The money will be devoted to equipping Lancashire Battalions with telescopes. Lord Wemyss, who for years past has insisted that telescopes, not field glasses, should be supplied to the Army, was exceedingly pleased with the performance of the one which is being sent out.

Yours, &c.,
C.E. STROMEYER, Chief Engineer, Manchester Steam Users’ Association.
February 23rd, 1900.



Brighton Gazette, 8th March 1900

TELESCOPES FOR INFANTRY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE Brighton Gazette & Hove Post.

SIR, – The under-mentioned gentlemen, who have formed themselves into a “Telescope Fund” Committee, have requested me to send you the enclosed appeal.

I am, yours faithfully,
C.E. STROMEYER.

NAMES OF THE “TELESCOPE FUND” COMMITTEE.
Sir W.H. Bailey, Sale Hall, Cheshire; W.S. Boddington, Esq., solicitor, Manchester; the Right Hon. Sir James Fergusson, Bart., M.P., Manchester; George Harwood, Esq., M.P., Bolton; Henry Harrison, Esq., Blackburn; Beresford V. Melville, Esq., M.P., Stockport; Mr C.E. Stromeyer, Chief Engineer, Manchester Steam Users’ Association.



Sir, – The proposal submitted to us by Mr Stromeyer, of fully equipping infantry battalions now in South Africa with telescopes which he is able to obtain for about 5s apiece, meets with our hearty approval. We invite subscriptions for this purpose, which can be paid to the ‘Telescope Fund’, Messrs Williams Deacon, and Manchester and Salford Bank.

In order that these telescopes may remain the property of the battalion to which they are presented, its name, and also the name of the donor of a complete set, costing £50, will be printed on each telescope.

As far as possible, subscriptions from different counties or towns will be devoted to supplying the local battalions now serving in South Africa.

It is highly improbable that the war will be brought to a speedy termination, but by making the rifle fire of some, at least, of our infantry battalions so effective that it dare not be faced, the double object will be attained of reducing the number of lives sacrificed on both sides, and of shortening the war. Friends and relatives of soldiers at the front should also remember that telescopes are the most efficient bullet shields with which they can be provided, for by their means they will be able to see the enemy without being themselves seen. It should not be forgotten that by increasing the efficiency of a battalion its chances of gaining fresh laurels is also increased.

For the “Telescope Fund” Committee.
C.E. STROMEYER,
9, Mount Street, Manchester.
March 1st, 1900.



Manchester Courier, 17th March 1900

TELESCOPES FOR INFANTRY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE “MANCHESTER COURIER”.

Sir, – In response to the “Telescope Fund” Committee’s appeal, which you kindly published on the 3rd inst., the subjoined subscriptions have been received, with which four battalions are each being equipped with 140 telescopes (magnification 12 diameters). In view of the continuation of hostilities, further subscriptions are earnestly invited so as to enable our infantry to see the individual men who are firing at them. The War Office encourages our efforts.

Yours, &c. (for the “Telescope Fund” Committee),
C.E. STROMEYER.
9, Mount Street, Manchester, March 13.







London Evening Standard, 22nd December 1900

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STANDARD.

SIR, – On the 3rd and 17th March you kindly published an appeal from my Committee, which has resulted in their being able during March and April to forward five hundred and eighty telescopes to several regiments at the front. Unfortunately, they are only now arriving at their several destinations, but that they are highly appreciated both by officers and men, is proved by the enclosed letter, addressed to our President, Sir William Bailey, who presented one hundred and forty telescopes to the 1st Manchester Regiment, in recognition of their gallant stand at Caesar’s Camp, near Ladysmith.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
C.E. STROMEYER, Honorary Secretary, Telescope Fund Committee.
9, Mount Street, Manchester, December 20.

[COPY]

Transvaal, 14th Nov.
Dear Sir William, – Some months ago I wrote to Mr Stromeyer asking him to convey our very best thanks to you, and those acting with you, for the very handsome gift of telescopes forwarded to the battalion under my command. I have now the pleasure to inform you that, after many and vexatious delays – as for long the Railway Companies could carry nothing but provisions – the telescopes have really reached us. All ranks are delighted with them, and they are in daily use – indeed, they could hardly have come at a more opportune moment – for my men are continually on outpost duty in a country full of Boers, and your telescopes, which are wonderfully good for their size, are a constant aid. Once again I thank you most heartily on behalf of all ranks, and had I been able to get a cable message through I would have sent you one. We read in the English papers that the War is over, but we see no signs of it here, though, doubtless, the Boer power is broken. Please excuse this paper – I have no other – and believe me,
Yours very gratefully,
A. CURRAN, Lt. Col.,
1st Manchester Regiment.



The Scotsman, 26th December 1900

TELESCOPES FOR INFANTRY.

Mr C.E. Stromeyer, hon. secretary of the Telescope Fund Committee, writes from 9 Mount Street, Albert Square, Manchester, that as the result of the appeal published in the “Times” his committee were able to forward during March and April 580 telescopes to several regiments at the front. Lieutenant-Colonel Curran, of the 1st Battalion Manchester Regiment, in acknowledging the receipt of 140 telescopes presented by Sir William Bailey, says: – “I have now the pleasure to inform you that after many and vexatious delays (as for long the railway companies could carry nothing but provisions) the telescopes have really reached us. All ranks are delighted with them, and they are in daily use – indeed, they could hardly have come at a more opportune moment, for my men are continually on outpost duty in a country full of Boers, and your telescopes, which are wonderfully good for their size, are a constant aid”.


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Many thanks, Neville, for an excellent article and images.