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Hi Mike - as you are aware I have been doing some research into the 2nd Worcesters because amongst their number were 10 Smethwickians, two of whom perished on 12th February 1900.

I have discovered a 16 paragraph letter Hugh de Berdt Hovell sent to the Worcester Journal, meaning he intended it to be published, which they did in their 24th February 1900 edition. The letter was dated 26th January 1900 and written in Slingersfontein Camp. Sadly I have been unable to find another letter from him.

I have split it down into manageable chunks with a view to transcribing it eventually. As you can see below the reproduction quality is not of the best, especially for the later paragraphs which have suffered from edge of page distortion.

I think I have discovered on FmP paperwork relating to his WW1 alter ego namely 22162 Pte H Nash. Interestingly a 3198 Cpl H Nash was one of the wounded on 12th February 1900 who rejoined the unit but after July 1900 as he did not get the Wittebergen clasp.

Are you aware that Colonel Sir Percy Wilson, who he attempted to sue, was during May 1918 not only booted out of the army but also stripped of his knighthood. There is an interesting discussion about it on the Kings Candlesticks and Hovell is mentioned.

Finally in 1922 one of Hovell's neighbours successfully sued him for libel and was awarded £100.

Regards, David.

Hi Mike - as you are aware I have been doing some research into the 2nd Worcesters because amongst their number were 10 Smethwickians, two of whom perished on 12th February 1900.

I have discovered a 16 paragraph letter Hugh de Berdt Hovell sent to the Worcester Journal, meaning he intended it to be published, which they did in their 24th February 1900 edition. The letter was dated 26th January 1900 and written in Slingersfontein Camp. Sadly I have been unable to find another letter from him.

I have split it down into manageable chunks with a view to transcribing it eventually. As you can see below the reproduction quality is not of the best, especially for the later paragraphs which have suffered from edge of page distortion.

I think I have discovered on FmP paperwork relating to his WW1 alter ego namely 22162 Pte H Nash. Interestingly a 3198 Cpl H Nash was one of the wounded on 12th February 1900 who rejoined the unit but after July 1900 as he did not get the Wittebergen clasp.

Are you aware that Colonel Sir Percy Wilson, who he attempted to sue, was during May 1918 not only booted out of the army but also stripped of his knighthood. There is an interesting discussion about it on the Kings Candlesticks and Hovell is mentioned.

Finally in 1922 one of Hovell's neighbours successfully sued him for libel and was awarded £100.

Regards, David.

Mike further to my previous post today:

Here is the link to the discussion on The Kings Candlesticks:

www.thekingscandlesticks.com/webs/pedigrees/1744.html

The paperwork regarding his possible WW1 alter ego comprises 9 pages, a bit too much to post here but if you message me your email address happy to email them all - in the meantime the first page of his April 1915 attestation papers in which he knocks nearly 10 years of his age; and the first page of his Medical Report (dated August 1918) by when he has confessed to his true age. His discharge papers show he was discharged on 16th September 1915. Afraid I cannot remember how I came across this but something I read gave me the tip off and he fits with the info you give. A record on Ancestry shows he was awarded the 1914-15 British Star but cannot find anything about the other two.

Regards, David.

With many thanks to David (Smethwick) he has forwarded me the following information which is greatly appreciated......

Have remembered what pointed me towards a Hugh Nash - the Worcestershire Regiment Website when they list Hugh de Berdt Hovell as a winner of the Royal Humane Medal - this is the relevant paragraph:

"During 1915 he sought to retrieve his reputation and enlisted as a private soldier, aged 52, under an assumed name (Hugh Nash) and served with his old 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment. He joined the 2nd Battalion on the 18th May 1915, with a draft of men after the Battalion's night attack at Festubert, joining at the village of Les Harisoirs. He was posted to 'A' Company. He served with his ‘old comrades’ in France for five months until his health broke down."

This is why I love this site and the people who are members.......

Thank You David......

Mike