TOPIC:

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (4) Talana, Defence of Ladysmith, Laing's Nek, Belfast (3544 Pte. W. Crooks, 1: Leic: Regt), the number officially corrected;
KSA (2) (3544 Pte G. Crooks. Leicester; Regt), note initial

William Crooks was born at Sheffield, Yorkshire in 1873 and attested at Leicester on 24 September 1892. Posted to Jamacia on 17 January 1894 with the 1st Battalion.

Arriving in December 1895, the Battalion was present at Talana in 1899 when the Anglo-Boer War began. They were in reserve for the Battle of Talana but saw heavy action at the Battle of Ladysmith on 30 October. They were on station throughout the siege and were later in on the action at the Battle of Belfast.

Posted to the Army Reserve on 1 August 1902 in Pretoria, Crooks remained in service for several years before being discharged on 23 September 1904.