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Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (3) Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen (4295 Corpl: F. Calfe. Worcester: Regt.)
[ KSA (2) ]

Frederick Thomas Calfe was born at Peckham in 1876 and was a paper hanger upon joining the Worcestershire Regiment on 16 March 1895. During the Boer War he was wounded at Slingersfontein, 12 February 1900.

Calfe died at sea aboard the Staffordshire on 6 February 1903, en route to Liverpool, due to a spine fracture and suffocation.

Having won the QSA to 4295 Corporal F. Calfe and awaiting delivery from Spink, I would like to ask the forum members if anyone knows of the existence of the KSA with the two date clasps named to Calfe with a view to a potential reunite?

Back to Corporal Calfe himself, he recovered from his wound sustained at Slingersfontein as detailed in the SAFF Casualty List. One wonders what nasty incident occurred for him to suffer a fractured spine and suffocation which is listed as the cause of his death on board the ship Staffordshire as it sailed to Liverpool in 1903. Maybe a fall or a crushing injury?
As he died after the war has officially ended he is not listed in Watt (2000). If he was it would most likely state where he was interred or buried at sea.
Could anyone on the forum please suggest where I could have a chance of finding out whether he has a final resting place on land or if he was actually buried at sea?
Many thanks.
Cheers Steve

Thanks for the report on the action at Worcester Hill where Corporal Pritchard, a man with Smethwick connections, was killed in action.

Corporal J Pritchard received a slightly inaccurate mention in the “Borough Briefs” section of the Smethwick Telephone of 24th February 1900, as follows: “Among those killed at Rensburg on 13th Inst., is Corporal J Pritchard of 2nd Battn Worcester Regiment, whose parents reside in Dibble Road, Smethwick”. Further investigation shows his full name was John Harry Pritchard and his birth was registered in Droitwich in the last quarter of 1876. The 1881 Census return gives his place of birth as Cutnall Green , a village a few miles north of Droitwich. By this time the family had moved to the Landsdown Terrace in the village of Claines near Worcester and the occupation of his father, William, is given as “labourer”. In 1891 they were still living in Landsdown Terrace although his father was now a railway worker. The 1901 census shows his parents and three children living at 1 Tiverton Grove off Dibble Road in Smethwick. His father’s occupation is now given as “Fitter”. Interestingly they have two visitors – a Theatrical Agent & a Musician.

3163. SERGEANT ARTHUR POWELL. 2ND BATTALION WORCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT.
ALSO 103176. 32/D. S. Coy ROYAL ENGINEERS






MILITARY MEDAL GROUP OF FIVE.
MILITARY MEDAL TO 103176. SJT. A. POWELL. 32 D/S COY R. E.

QUEEN'S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL TO 3163. SJT. A. POWELL. WORCESTER REGT.
CLASPS: CAPE COLONY/TRANSVAAL/WITTEBERGEN/SOUTH AFRICA 1901 (UNOFFICIAL RVETS TO ThE DATE CLASP)

WORLD WAR ONE TRIO

CONDITION: ALL MEDALS IN THE GROUP VF.

Arthur Powell was born in 1872 in Bridport Street, Parish of St. Andrews in the city of Worcester. This housing area is long since demolished and would have been near present day Copenhagen Street in the centre of town.
Arthur attested to the Worcestershire Regiment at Worcester on 26th February 1892 and was given the service number 3163. He was 19 years and 6 months of age and a Labourer by trade.
Height: 5' 5 7/8"
Weight : 149lbs
Complexion : fresh
Eyes: grey
Hair: brown
Marks: tattoos to RIGHT forearm (an anchor and cross within a circle also initials S. A. I) and left forearm (initials E. P. and P. A. J. P
Religion: C of E
Next of Kin: father James Powell, 7 Bridport Street, Worcester.
Interestingly, Arthur stated that he had been imprisoned by the civil powers for a period of time, though the nature of the offence is unknown. Perhaps joining the army was to be his opportunity to straighten his life up?

His service record is as follows:
Home : 26/02/1892 to 12/11/1895
Malta : 13/11/1895 to 01/10/1897
Bermuda: 04/10/1897 to 06/12/1899
Home: 07/12/1899 to 16/12/1899
South Africa :17/12/1899 to 22/06/1901
Home: 23/06/1901 to 07/12/1901
Total service =9 years and 285 days.

During his service he was stopped 6 days pay for unauthorised absence on 21st January 1893, returning to duty on 29th January 1893.
On 30th July 1894 he married Kate Perry at St. Paul's Church in Worcester. No doubt the newlyweds were eager to spend time with each other as Arthur is reported as deserted on 4th September 1894 and not returning to the regiment until 8th February 1895 when he was awaiting trial. On the 14th February 1895 he was duly sentenced for his desertion awarded 84 days hard labour returning to duty on 9th May 1895.
It would appear that he then knuckled down to soldiering when he was appointed unpaid Lance Corporal 7th August 1897, upgraded to paid 26th February 1898. Further, on 10th December 1898 he was granted the princely sum of 1d good conduct pay and promoted Corporal on the 31st of the same month.
6th April 1900 saw him appointed Lance Sergeant and full Sergeant 7th July 1900.
His service with the Worcestershire Regiment ended on 7th December 1901, when Arthur was found physically unfit for further service. Maybe the rigours of service in South Africa had taken it's toll on his health.
He is actually listed as a casualty whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion at Commando Drift on 10th November 1900. Powell was one of 5 other ranks and 1 officer to be accidentally injured by a lightning strike. This event gained a mention in The Times newspaper as follows :
"The following were slightly injured by lightning, Commando Nek, November 10th :-
2nd Worcestershire Regiment - Lieut. W. B. Gibbs, 3163 Sgt.A. Powell, 3456 Pte. H. Pestridge, 1632 Pte. Hollingsworth, 3548 Pte. Fennerty, 3767 Pte. W. McNally, 4660 Pte. G. Green"

During his time overseas, it would appear that his home address had changed to South Street, still in Worcester. I assume that would be where he returned on leaving the regiment.

The family moved again to 17 Carden Street, Worcester. Arthur and Kate are now showing as the parents of 3 boys and 2 girls. With a large family to support Arthur found employment with the General Post Office as a Wireman, which would probably have a major influence on his next period of soldiery.
He is next recorded during the First World War on 29th June 1915 attesting for the Royal Engineers as a Sapper/Line Telegraphist with service number 103176. There is a note on his attestation papers erving for 86 days with the 9th Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment. The 9th Worcesters were newly raised during the conflict and it may be the case that Arthur volunteered for service initially with his old unit or perhaps was recalled from the Army Reserve. Either way, as I mentioned previously, his expertise as a Wireman would have made him a valuable asset to the Royal Engineers in a lines of communication capacity.

His service with R. E. as follows :
Home: 29/06/1915 to 19/11/1915
France: 20/11/1915 to 01/12/1917
Home: 02/12/1917 to 14/03/1919

He received his Certificate of Trade Proficiency at 7 Castle Street, Reading on 2nd July 1915 and was rated as Good by the Senior Inspector PO Telegraphist.

His service record shows that6he was granted 1/- per day as paid proficiency pay on 29th June 1915 and appointed paid Lance Corporal (41st Signal Coy) on 12th July 1915. Promoted to Acting 2nd Corporal) 32nd Signal Coy) 21st October 1915, Corporal 18th November 1915, Acting Sergeant on 25th November 1915 and finally Sergeant 1st February 1916. His previous experience in the rank of Sergeant and expertise as a Wireman would have accelerated his promotions.

I have no details of the deed(s) that earned him his award for bravery, but the life of a Telegraphist would have been a vital and dangerous one as these men would have to maintain the communication systems from rear positions all the way up to the front line.

Supplement to the London Gazette dated 17th September 1917 reports the Military Medal to Arthur simply thus:
"103176 Sjt.A. Powell, R. E. (Worcester)."

Having survived the war, he was attached to the Royal Horse and Field Artillery Signalling Training Centre at Crowbridge as an Instructor.
While employed in this role his wife wrote to The Officer Commanding Records, Royal Engineers, Chatham.
Sir,
Could you please give me any information when my husband can be released, as he can have his work as soon as he is cleared. He is a PO Wireman G. P. O. His age is 47 a family man of six children, he also served in the South African War. I would be very pleased if you could inform me this is possible as his employer is anxious to restart him as soon as possible.
Yours Mrs. Powell. "

Arthur was lucky to be able to go straight back to work in Civvy Street unlike so many other former soldiers who found unemployment the norm on their demobilisation.
He was transferred to the Z Class Reserve on demobilisation on 11th March 1919 and hismilitary character was described as Very Good.

The 1939 Census finds Arthur and Kate still together after 45 years of marriage.

An interesting group to a good old soldier!

5385 PRIVATE W.A.LACEY: 2ND BATTALION WORCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT

QUEENS SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL

CLASPS: CAPE COLONY/ORANGE FREE STATE/TRANSVAAL/SA1901/SA1902
CONDITION: VGF. DARK EVEN TONING,ALMOST BLACK

William Arthur Lacey was born in Aston, Birmingham, Warwickshire in the third quarter of 1882.
The 1891 Census finds him at the age of 8 residing at New Canal Street, Birmingham along with his mother Emma Lacey (nee Ward), sisters Elizabeth (15), Esther (13), Amelia (4) and brother Henry (10).

William attested to the Worcestershire Regiment on 8th November 1898. Unfortunately, his service papers are no longer extant therefore it is not possible to explore his service record etc
However, what we do know is that the medal roll WO100/184 for the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment bears his name, rank and number and also confirms his entitlement to the clasps attached to his medal and that he was not eligible for the KSA, which makes for a nice five clasp combination on a QSA to a soldier of the regiment.
As a member of the 2nd Battalion, William would have sailed with his comrades on the Tintagel Castle on 16th December 1899 arriving at Cape Town on 8th January 1900.
At some point after arriving in-theatre he became a mounted soldier in the 4th Battalion Mounted Infantry, of the Worcesters, presumably around the time of the progression to the guerrilla phase of the conflict. Maybe a more exciting prospect than being garrisoned in the blockhouse lines!
We are certain that he was a mounted infantryman of the 4th Bn because this fact is detailed in Watt(2000) which sadly records 5385 Pte. W. Lacey as dying of disease at Bloemfontein on 5th February 1902 having served three years, three months with the regiment, just over two years of which were in South Africa. One of the many Worcesters to succumb to disease.
He is interred in the Waverley Road Cemetery in Bloemfontein and is commemorated on monument 10.

I checked with the roll of honour for the Birmingham Boer War Memorial in Cannon Hill Park and was dismayed not to find his name therein.
I know that he was a "Brummie" despite having no Attestation from which to refer. The Record of Deceased Soldiers Effects" has proved to be a trusty source of evidence for research into William with the following;
Record No. 100014 details his financial arrangements after his death thus;

"Roll 378. £0 s18 d8
Gratuity. £4. s0. s0
Transfer. £5. s0. s0

Distributed as follows:
Mother Emma-£4 S5. s0
Brother Thomas, sisters Elizabeth, Esther and Amelia-£1. S8 d5 each.

All of the names match up with those on the 1891 Census (Thomas must have arrived later and what happened to Henry is not known), so I am confident of William's Birmingham origins.

4724-PRIVATE THOMAS HUNT: 1ST BATTALION WORCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT



QUEENS SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL
CLASPS: CAPE COLONY/WITTEBERGEN

CONDITION: NEF. BRIGHT

Thomas Hunt was born in Bishampton, near Worcester in 1878. The 1881 Census finds him as a three year old Scholar living in Bishampton with father Edwin who plied his trade as a blacksmith, his mother Emma and sister Alice. A 12 year old visitor by the name of Dorothy Ganderton was staying with the family at the time of the census.
He was working as a farm labourer when he enlisted in the 1st Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment on 8th December 1896.
After being stationed with the battalion in Aden for a short time, the 1st returned home to be deployed to South Africa
In March 1900.
For his service with the Worcesters he was entitled to the clasps Cape Colony and Wittebergen to his QSA. The medal is in almost mint condition and presents itself as unworn. Undoubtedly, this is because Thomas never got to wear it.
Unfortunately,Private Hunt met the fate of many an unfortunate Worcester on campaign. He died of enteric fever (typhoid) as a result of contaminated food or drinking water, at Harrismith on 20th February 1901 and was interred in the Harrismith British Military Cemetery.

There is an entry 82312 in "Record of Deceased Soldiers Effects"
detailing the dispersal of monies in his army account as follows;

Mother Emma received £13. 5 shillings and sixpence.
Brother Francis and sisters Alice and Annie each received
£4. 7shillings and fourpence.

His demise was reported in "Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper" on 24th February 1901:
"4724 T. Hunt, 1st Worcestershire (enteric), Harrismith"

and in "The Army and Navy Gazette" on 2nd March 1901
"Worcester.-1st: 2223 L-Cpl. Linfield, Ficksburg, feb.22, 4724 Hunt, Harrismith, Feb 20."

I note with interest, that the length of time of reporting his death to publication of the notice would have been less than four days according to the date of the Lloyd's article.

Private Thomas George Hunt's name can be found commemorated on the impressive memorial tablet to the fallen of the 1st Battalion inside Worcester Cathedral .