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QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (6238 Pte. H. Mason. Shrops:L.I.),;
[ Great War medals ]

Henry Mason was born at Hereford and enlisted at Shrewsbury around outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War. Posted to South Africa he served throughout that war and remained with the Regiment, entering the Great War in France on 10 February 1915 with the 2nd Battalion. Mason was wounded by a gunshot to the face, being sent to the 2nd General Hospital on 9 May 1915.

After his convalescence Mason was posted to the 10th (Shropshire and Cheshire Yeomanry) Battalion who were serving in Palestine. He was still there in March 1918 when they saw action at the Battle of Tel Azur, the advance north from Jerusalem. The 74th (Yeomanry) Division advanced on and seized the town of Selwad on 9 March, the next day Mason was killed in action, he is buried at the Jerusalem War Cemetery.

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QSA (5) Cape Colony Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (6291 Pte. W. A. Holding. Shrops: L.I.), unofficial rivets between 3rd and 4th clasps, heavy edge bruising

William Holding was posted to India after the Anglo-Boer War where he died at Ranikhet in 1903.

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QSA (3) Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Johannesburg (5427 Pte. A. West, 2nd Shropshire Lt. Infy.);
KSA (2) (5427 Pte. A. West. Shrops. L.I.)

Albert West was born at Lancaster, Lancashire in 1879 and attested at Warley on 8 September 1897. Posted to South Africa on 7 November 1899 he was present for the Battle of Paardeburg in February 1900 where the Regiment paid a key role. West left South Africa on 29 October 1902 and was discharged on 7 June 1903.

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QSA (4) Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg (5775 Pte. G. Thomas, 2nd Shropshire Lt Infy);
KSA (2) (5775 Pte. G. Thomas. Shrops: L.I.);
[ Gret War trio ]

George Thomas was born at Rochdale, Lancashire in February 1880 and enlisted at Lancaster on 28 September 1898. Posted to the 2nd Battalion he was still with them when they embarked for South Africa the next year on 7 November 1899.

Thomas entered the war in the Orange Free State where he remained from February to May 1900, seeing action at the Battle of Paardeburg in which the Battalion played a key role. They saw further action at Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Houtnek, Vet River and Zand River. Further fighting in Transvaal and Orange River Colony saw them at Elands River and Rhenoster River.

Thomas was discharged at his own request on 20 October 1902, returning to service on 7 September 1914 with the South Lancashire Regiment. Entering the war on 1 December 1914 he served until 9 May 1915 when he was discharged having suffered from exposure through the bitterly cold January.

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QSA (5) Cape Colony, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (5533 Cpl. C. C. Gale, 2nd Shrop:Lt.Infy.), note incorrect middle initial;
KSA (2) (5533 Corpl: C. Gale. Shrops: L.I.)

Charles Frederick Gale was born at Newport, Hampshire in 1880 and attested at Portsmouth on 5 January 1898.

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[ Egypt (1) Suakin ];
QSA (7) Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast, South Africa 1901 (2464 Pte. R. Cottingham, 2nd Shropshire Lt. Inf.);
1914-15 Star (12924 Pte R. H. Cottingham. R.Fus:);
British War and Victory Medals (GS-12924 Pte. R. H. Cottingham. R.Fus.);
[ Khedive Star ]

Robert Henry Cottingham was born at King William's Town, Cape of Good Hope in November 1866, the son of Private Joseph Cottingham, an Indian Mutiny Veteran. The younger Cottingham was educated at The Royal Hibernian School, Dublin. Enlisting with the 53rd Regiment of Foot on 8 December 1880 as Bugler he was present in Dublin when Britain and Ireland were rocked by the Pheonix Park Murders, a letter written to the Regimental Journal in 1948 states:

'While we were in Dublin, Lord Cavendish and Mr. Burke were assassinated. I remember it well it was early in May, 1882, I was going to my old school on a visit, but when I got to Pheonix Park, I was turned back and told to get back to barracks.'

Posted with the Regiment to Egypt on 21 August 1882 Cottingham served with the Battalion as they guarded Alexandria, not seeing service during the Battle of Tel-El-Kebir. Later posted to Malta and Hong Kong he saw service in Suakin before returning to Britain and was discharged on 26 October 1892.

Enlisting with the 4th (Volunteer) Battalion, Shropshire Light Infantry at Hereford in 1896, mobilised for service in the Anglo-Boer War. The Battalion saw heavy action at the Battle of Paardeberg, later Cottingham was posted to the 4th Mounted Infantry. Returning to Britain after the war he joined the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, Shropshire Light Infantry on 18 April 1903, being discharged in 1907.



On the outbreak of the Great War Cottingham was 48 years old, despite this he volunteered for the 25th (Frontiersmen) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. Entering the war in East Africa on 4 April 1915 with this unit he was doubtless present for many of their famous actions during the war. He was finally discharged as a result of sickness on 14 August 1917, but remained a regular presence in the Regimental Association.

In April 1948, just ten years before his death, Cottingham wrote a letter to the Regimental Journal detailing his experiences over the course of his long career, he signed of memorably:

'I was 48 years old when I joined up in 1914. I am now 81, and still NOT OUT'.